Rooted in the concept of “expect the unexpected,” this visionary project redefines the urban experience by blending bold innovation with environmental responsibility. Conceived by Scott Brownrigg + Crown for the New York Centerline Design Competition, The Wheel is a dual-purpose wind turbine and observation experience designed to transform Park Avenue’s central reservation into a dynamic and engaging destination for the 21st century.
Strategically positioned in the heart of the Park Avenue commercial corridor, The Wheel offers more than just striking aesthetics—it delivers a multi-layered experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. Above ground, the structure provides panoramic views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline, with unobstructed vistas stretching north along Park Avenue and immersive close-ups of its surrounding towers. What sets this experience apart is its sustainable core: the turbine harnesses wind channeled between the buildings, storing captured energy for future use and contributing to the city’s broader energy efficiency goals.
Below ground, The Wheel offers a thrilling subterranean experience. As passengers descend through its circular cycle, they are immersed in the often-unseen world of New York’s underground infrastructure—gliding through spaces between active subway lines for a one-of-a-kind view of the city in motion.
Beyond its public appeal, The Wheel introduces a new kind of urban amenity for the corporate tenants of Park Avenue. Capsules within the turbine can be used as creative meeting spaces or rejuvenating retreats, offering a unique fusion of productivity, leisure, and spectacle—all in one vertical experience.
As a finalist for the prestigious World Architecture Festival Award in the Experimental – Future Projects category, The Wheel stands as the centerpiece of a broader urban amusement concept. The remaining nine blocks of Park Avenue’s median are envisioned as a series of small-scale, interactive interventions—each designed to offer playful, immersive experiences that reimagine the way people engage with the public realm.
This project represents a forward-thinking fusion of architecture, technology, and urban placemaking—recasting one of New York’s most iconic thoroughfares as a place of discovery, sustainability, and inspiration.
