NEW YORK—The seashell dome for the SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park was officially topped off on April 18. The Battery Park Conservancy first announced the concept for the carousel in 2004.
Right now, the $16 million joyride is a bare, seashell-shaped steel structure. But soon it will light up a dark portion of the Battery Park and draw riders—young and old—with giant fishes swaying, as though through water, on its spinning turntables.
WXY architects designed the seashell dome that houses the carousel. Projected images of marine life will light up the walls and the ceilings of the dome when the carousel is completed.
The giant fishes (photos) were molded by the George Tsypin Opera Company, which also designed award winning stage settings for “The Little Mermaid” and “Spider-man: Turn off the Dark.”
“There was no really nice place down here. The playground wasn’t nice at all,” said Margaret Chin, member of the New York City Council. “Now it’s going to be gorgeous and beautiful. But with SeaGlass... I want to ride it!”
SeaGlass is set to open this fall. There will be a fee to ride the carousel, but a price has not yet been determined.
Report from the event (Video)
History of SeaGlass (Video)
