CHELSEA WATERSIDE PARK PLAY AREA, CHELSEA
Limestone cattle head sculptures salvaged from 20th century meatpacking plants and ornamental cartouches preserved from the old West Side Highway have become structures for climbing and water play.
Granite seating blocks repurposed from nearby Pier 54’s arch. The pier was the arrival point for the Titanic’s survivors, aboard the Carpathia.
BEFORE
Archival photographs of the cattle head sculptures that were originally mounted on the NY Butchers’ Dressed Meat Company Slaughterhouse facade (left) and the beautiful, granite Art Deco cartouches that once stretched along the West Side Highway (right).
BEFORE/AFTER
After years of being stored in harsh conditions, the limestone cattle head sculptures faced weathering, pollution, vandalism and breakage (left). Opus expertly restored them to their original condition (right).
BEFORE/AFTER
The lack of maintenance over the years created extreme carbon pollution, rust, chips, spalls and cracks to these granite cartouches (left). With great care, Opus restored them to their original condition (right).
AFTER
Finished play area includes two restored limestone cattle head sculptures, six restored granite cartouches and two restored granite bullnose sculptures, each with water features that have state-of-the-art controllers that allow for customization and water conservation.