West 79th Street Boat Basin

Ever imagine finding a community afloat in the heart of a bustling city? Here at the West 79th Street Boat Basin, nestled within Riverside Park, that dream becomes reality. The West 79th Street Boat Basin isn’t just a marina. It’s a unique haven, the only place in New York City where people can live on their boats year-round. This has made it a hub for houseboats and a vibrant, floating community. The West 79th Street Boat Basin’s history is as rich and layered as the city itself. Originally part of a grand project by Robert Moses in the 1930s, the basin and its accompanying rotunda were designed as part of the West Side Improvement Project. This project aimed to improve traffic flow and create recreational spaces, showcasing a vision of grandeur. Completed in 1937, the West 79th Street Boat Basin has witnessed the ebb and flow of city life. It has housed everyone from everyday New Yorkers to celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Mario Puzo. Writer Dick DeBartolo even used his boat here as his office. In the 1960s, Roy Cohn used his yacht docked at the basin to entertain the city’s political elite. The West 79th Street Boat Basin has even played a starring role in films like “9 1/2 Weeks” and “You’ve Got Mail,” adding a touch of cinematic charm to its already colorful history. Over the years, the West 79th Street Boat Basin has faced challenges. Deterioration and damage from storms like Hurricane Sandy have necessitated repairs and renovations. Currently, the basin is undergoing a major overhaul to address these issues and enhance its resilience against future storms. This project aims to deepen the basin, reconstruct the docks, and create a new, modern dock house. While the renovations are underway, the basin’s unique charm remains. The West 79th Street Boat Basin is more than just a place to dock a boat. It represents a unique way of life, a vibrant community, and a piece of New York City history.