Times Square Redesign: Less Beach, More 'Blade Runner'

Against all odds and legions of naysayers, Times Square has undergone a radical transformation in recent years: from a cacophony of cars, people, and neon to a cacophony of people, neon, and deck chairs. Somehow New York City’s ingenious park-ifying of Broadway worked, in spite of or perhaps because of, its relative lack of planning.

But if you, like legions of others, enjoyed the distinctly New York experience of “relaxing” with a cold drink in the midst of all that craziness, your somewhat al fresco-meets-expressway experience is about to change a bit. It appears the new “new” Times Square designed by Snøhetta will be more Blade Runner than beach park. Clearly paying heed to years of nostalgic reminiscing, Times Square’s legendary lasciviousness—especially after Disney set up shop on 42 Street—the Norwegian firm went for something more well, if not R, at least PG-13. Quoted in DNAinfo, Snøhetta architect Craig Dykers mused, “There’s that film noir quality that some people have about Times Square… and the grittiness of the street is a part of it,” he said. “It’s not taking its cues from pretty little things in Europe or something. It’s kind of like the heart of New York City. It’s a heavy, muscular thing.”