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South Street Seaport Pier 17 sky viewThe <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/south-street-seaport-shipping-container-beer-garden-smorgasbar-and-shops-are-now-open-for-business/">last time we checked in</a> at <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/ges-solar-powered-carousel-opens-at-the-south-street-seaport/">South Street Seaport</a>, it underwent a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-shipping-container-shops-coming-to-south-street-seaport-this-summer/"> shipping container makeover</a> that included a new beer garden and <a href="http://www.brooklynflea.com/markets/smorgasbar-at-south-st-seaport/">SmorgasBar</a>. But whatever happened to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/green-roofed-glass-structure-to-replace-the-south-street-seaport-tourist-mall-at-pier-17/">the grand, green-roofed glass and steel structure</a> that was supposed to grace Pier 17? After checking <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/10/17/new_renderings_revealed_at_pier_17_groundbreaking.php">Curbed this morning</a>, we saw that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/howard-hughes-corp/">Howard Hughes Corporation</a> just broke ground on the new building last night. Check out these <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/10/17/new_renderings_revealed_at_pier_17_groundbreaking.php">new renderings of the future green-roofed pier project</a> courtesy of Curbed.1
South Street Seaport Pier 17 night lightsThe event also celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the project, which with a lack of actual ground to break, the designers from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/shop-architects/">SHoP Architects</a> and developers threw down a pile of dirt to stick their shovels in. The project itself entails a new 300,000-square-feet complex complete with a huge, 1.5 acres <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/green-roof/">green public rooftop</a>.2
South Street Seaport Pier 17 boardwalkCurrently the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/south-street-seaport/">South Street Seaport</a> is little more than a tourist trap, the new complex is looking to change that.3
South Street Seaport Pier 17 PeopleThe inside, meanwhile, will house new boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment with all with gorgeous views of the harbor.4
South Street Seaport Pier 17 InsideAnother interior element to the new building is there will be a new stage called Platform 17.5
South Street Seaport Pier 17 Rooftop SceneThe designers envision this as a venue for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fantasy-fashion-show-takes-place-inside-a-giant-russian-space-suit/">fashion shows</a>, concerts, or galas that could also accommodate a 500-person seated dinner.6
South Street Seaport Pier 17 sideThe exterior meanwhile will be a completely steel and glass facade.7
South Street Seaport Pier 17 nightThe <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/howard-hughes-corp/">Howard Hughes Corporation</a> hopes this will become a new beacon for commerce and fashion on the New York Harbor.8
South Street Seaport Pier 17 Brooklyn BridgeIt'll also be another gorgeous thing to see coming into Manhattan.9
South Street Seaport Pier 17 a farAlthough the groundbreaking marks that the work will begin “immediately,” the last time we heard its grand opening would be in 2015.10
