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Times Square has transformed in 6 years from a congested thoroughfare into a playful walkable public space.
The amount of pedestrian space was doubled and follows a broader trend by cities around the world to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces that favor people over cars. The architecture firm Snøhetta designed the space.
It designed five different benches and installed them throughout the plaza. Some are long slabs. Others have nooks. Each encourages a range of sitting postures. People huddle around or lean on the benches. It creates a more communal space than the clusters of metal picnic tables and chairs nearby. They also feature electrical outlets capable of powering everything from a busker’s guitar amp to a Broadway-caliber musical act.
Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly erected Times Building – now One Times Square – the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop which began on December 31, 1907, and continues today, attracting over a million visitors to Times Square every year.
Times Square Arts collaborates with contemporary artists to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places
Believe it or not, the so-called "crossroads of the world" attract around 50 million visitors each year. In fact, over 460,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square during the busiest days. But in Vanilla Sky, featuring Tom Cruise, the area was absolutely empty. The production was allowed to close the area for just one day, which was unprecedented.
