ACA to design interior public spaces at Atlantic Terminal

Real Estate Weekly, July 23, 2003

Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates (ACA), the same New York based interior design firm which rejuvenated the Manhattan landmark Algonquin Hotel, has been contracted to design the interior public spaces of the rejuvenated Atlantic Terminal in downtown Brooklyn.

"We envision creating a public space that borrows from the great tradition of Grand Central and the New York Public Library," says Bill Rooney, principal architect and managing director at ACA. "Our interpretation is decidedly more up to date, relying on modern materials to satisfy a more contemporary design palate."

At the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues the new Atlantic Terminal will serve as a travel, business and retail focal point for downtown Brooklyn. There will be 470,000 SF of shopping above the rehabilitated Long Island Rail Road terminal.

Nine subway lines intersect beneath the complex serving the needs of a projected 130,000 commuters daily. In addition, a tower above the transit and shopping facilities will provide an additional 470,000 SF of office space.

The style of the interior public spaces, such as the shopping pavilion, will be based on classic design for what is destined to become a hub for both transportation and commerce. ACA's vision of the retail space includes a robust and rhythmic arrangement of columns. Atop the columns are envisioned ethereal 21st century interpretations of vaulted ceilings created using acrylic. The vaults, illuminated from behind and imprinted with designs, would recall the location and history of the site. Screens of acrylic will also be used to project images to further animate the space.

Alexandra Champalimaud & Associates, Inc. is a leading hospitality and commercial interior design firm based in New York. ACA is currently engaged in the renovation of the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, London. ACA's US projects include: the Algonquin Hotel, the Drake, the Marriott World Financial Center, and San Francisco's Westin St. Francis Hotel.