St. John's Terminal

St. John’s Terminal is adjacent to some of New York City’s most desirable neighbourhoods, where Hudson River Park, the West Village, SoHo and Tribeca meet. For decades, developers have coveted the site but, given its complexity and scale, with an existing historic structure taking up two city blocks, none were able to unlock a solution.

Our team envisioned the potential for St. John’s Terminal immediately and worked feverishly to acquire the site from the existing landowner. We engaged the community to learn what was important to locals and business owners, and helped them understand our vision of how this long, low, historical building could facilitate an elevated sense of community. A “groundscaper”, mimicking a campus environment in its ability to drive innovation, would create wide-spread social and economic value while also preserving the neighbourhoods “authenticity factor”.

We then partnered with COOKFOX Architects to help bring our vision to life. COOKFOX’s innovative approach to designing commercial, cultural and community buildings – coupled with their progressive understanding of human-focused design, biophilia and sustainability – made them the ideal partner for the development.

Leaning in to the existing 100,000-square foot floorplates and 15-foot high ceilings, the design was based on progressive principles that prioritize occupant health and well-being. Public gardens at grade and three planted terraces above blur the boundaries between indoors and out. Biodynamic lighting, highly filtered outside air, and end-of-trip facilities that encourage commuting by foot or bicycle do the same. A location overlooking the Hudson River and Hudson River Park extend the smart design to the building’s surroundings: it’s simply steeped in access to nature and the outdoors, which are uniquely performance enhancing.

The building’s technology is as contemporary and performance oriented as its design. Sensors, beacons and an integrated operating system combine to enable real time smart operations and customized experiences. And thanks to some of the best fiber connectivity in the city, everything at St. John’s Terminal will keep pace with the needs of the most progressive businesses.

St. John’s Terminal stands in a category of one.

Our vision for St. John’s Terminal was bold and progressive, and we knew the right team would be able to create something extraordinary and distinctly resilient.

We partnered with COOKFOX Architects to bring their trademark biophilic, human-focused design principles, and with Gensler to optimize the interiors for maximum flexibility, productivity and workplace experience. We leveraged Oxford’s global design and construction experience and paired it with the unique understanding of the West Side our local team has built through the development of Hudson Yards. And we brought in long-standing partner CPPIB with a 50% non-managing interest in the project knowing they share our focus on building long-term sustainable value. 

The reimagining of this space has respectfully reshaped the area's future, providing not only office space, but a space for all.  A platform for local residents to be seen and truly heard.  In March 2022 and in partnership with Google, ArtBridge, and the Children's Museum of the Arts, Oxford helped deliver inspired public art by Tomashi Jackson and child-artists of New York, increasing the vibrancy of Hudson Square.

We stayed true to our vision for the site and the opportunity to transform the future of work while enhancing the community. Our conviction to our purpose of driving economic and social value paid off with tremendous occupier interest, culminating in a new NYC home for one of the world’s most innovative companies and a more united neighborhood.