Nestled on the Delaware River, adjacent to Philadelphia’s historic Old City, Race Street Pier stands as a testament to innovative landscape architecture and urban revitalization. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, the 1-acre park transforms a formerly vacant municipal pier into a vibrant public space at the foot of the iconic Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Race Street Pier offers a rare and direct connection between the bustling city and the tranquil riverfront, becoming a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
Aerial view of Race Street Pier from Benjamin Franklin Bridge showcases the pier’s unique layout and connection to the waterfront.
From Municipal Pier to Modern Urban Oasis
Formerly known as Municipal Pier 11, the site’s transformation into Race Street Pier was conceived to strengthen its bond with the city and reclaim its historical identity. Reflecting its past, the design cleverly divides the pier into two distinct levels, echoing the original structure built in 1896 which served both shipping and recreation. This split-level design is a key feature, creating a perception of expanded space within the pier’s long and narrow footprint and offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors.
The Sky Promenade: Elevated Views and Sustainable Design
A dramatic ramp, rising twelve feet along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, defines the upper level and creates the breathtaking “Sky Promenade”. This architectural feature utilizes forced one-point perspective to heighten the sense of arrival at the river’s edge, offering unique panoramic views of the cityscape. The Sky Promenade culminates in a striking encounter with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge’s imposing stone abutment, providing a vantage point that feels akin to standing on a ship’s prow, overlooking the expansive Delaware River. The use of Trex®, a sustainable synthetic decking material crafted from reclaimed plastic and wood, for the upper-level ramp underscores the project’s commitment to environmentally conscious design. Race Street Pier is recognized as one of the largest public installations of Trex® decking in the United States.
The Bridge Allee at Race Street Pier, featuring Swamp White Oak trees, visually separates the pier’s two levels and enhances the sense of perspective.
Lower Level: Riverfront Relaxation and Evening Ambiance
In contrast to the elevated Sky Promenade, the sun-drenched lower level of Race Street Pier provides a tranquil space for passive recreation and social interaction. It features a multi-purpose lawn, thoughtfully designed planting beds, and varied seating arrangements, creating a relaxing urban respite. A bay walk along the pier’s edge allows for close proximity to the Delaware River, a rare experience in the city. Adding historical depth, two retrofitted wharf-drops, remnants of the pier’s shipping past, are integrated into the design. These wharf drops, originally used for cargo unloading, are now covered with transparent metal grating, with one partially open to offer visitors an authentic and unusual connection with the river below. The park’s ambiance extends into the evening, enhanced by extensive lighting, including 200 LED Solar Light Blocks embedded in the pavers, illuminating the lower level and creating a spectacular nighttime setting under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Race Street Pier at night, illuminated by LED solar lights, creates a captivating atmosphere under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Harmonious Design Elements: Connecting Levels and Enhancing Experience
Generous seating terraces serve as a crucial link between the upper and lower levels, wrapping around the pier’s end and amplifying the feeling of being at the river’s edge. These terraces also frame a casual event space on the lower level, adding to the pier’s functionality. The division between levels is further emphasized by a line of 25-foot-tall Swamp White Oak trees, originally intended for the Ground Zero memorial in New York. These trees not only add verticality but also enhance the perspective, drawing the eye towards the water. Perimeter railings on both levels, leaning inwards at a 65-degree angle, contribute to the unique design aesthetic. On the lower level, they offer a comfortable spot to lean and appreciate the river, while on the upper level, they reinforce the forced perspective of the Sky Promenade.
Seating Terraces at Race Street Pier seamlessly connect the upper and lower levels, providing spaces for relaxation and river views.
A Diverse Landscape: Natural Ecosystems in an Urban Setting
Race Street Pier transcends its function as a park, embodying the characteristics of a natural landscape with diverse ecosystems. The design transitions from a lowland riverfront to an upland boardwalk, moving through a “savannah” like open space, a grove of Swamp White Oaks and Sweet Gum trees, and finally down to a gently sloping oval lawn. This thoughtful layering of spaces and ecological elements creates a rich and varied experience for visitors, making Race Street Pier a truly unique and valuable urban waterfront destination in Philadelphia.
The Riverwalk at Race Street Pier features diverse planting and a lawn, creating varied ecological zones within the urban park.
