3D Concrete Printing in New York: The 25 Water Street Project
It started with a few rough shapes, curved forms that hinted at the flow of a new interior lobby space for the SoMa Residences at 25 Water redevelopment in lower Manhattan. From those early sketches, Printera brought the design to life with more than 100 custom 3D printed concrete pieces. The team designed, fabricated, and shipped every component from our Florida facility to New York City. This marked a major milestone for 3D concrete printing in New York.
The SoMa Residences at 25 Water is one of the largest adaptive reuse project in the nation, transforming a former office tower into modern residences.
Printera’s work spanned three areas of the building. The first was the main lobby installation, a sweeping concrete form that integrates planters and seating into one continuous structure. The second was a sculptural bench and planter located in the spa lobby, one level below the main lobby. The third was a curved bench feature on the 25th floor, which serves as a communal or conference area for residents. Together, these installations represent what we believe to be the first concrete 3D printed project in New York City. Each feature shows how 3D concrete printing can bring creativity, efficiency, and craftsmanship to architectural spaces at any level.
From Concept to Construction: 3D Concrete Printing in New York
The initial concept for the main lobby began as a set of simple 3D shapes outlining the general flow of the space. From there, Printera refined the design into a fully buildable model. The team organized each curve and form into segments that could be printed, transported, and installed with precision.
Instead of using custom hardware, Printera relied on standard connector plates and bolts to join the pieces together. The team recessed each connection point into the print so installers could apply a smooth plaster finish that concealed the fasteners and created a seamless surface throughout the lobby, spa, and 25th-floor installations.
Additionally, modeling and coordination took place in Rhino and Grasshopper. This allowed for quick adjustments and efficient communication between design and fabrication. As a result, a rough concept became a clean, organized, and installation-ready design that avoided unnecessary complexity.
Printing and Preparation in Florida
Printera produced all components for the SoMa Residences at 25 Water inside its controlled facility in Florida. The team organized, labeled, and inspected each piece to ensure a consistent finish and accurate fit during installation.
Efficiency guided every stage of production. Printing in a controlled environment allowed the team to maintain quality while the construction crew in New York prepared the site. Meanwhile, detailed installation instructions accompanied every shipment to simplify on-site coordination.
For this reason, the streamlined approach—with printing, packaging, and planning managed under one roof—made it possible to deliver more than 100 unique pieces ready for immediate installation in Manhattan. This process eliminated delays and reduced rework.
The Finished Installation
Once installed, the main lobby at SoMa Residences at 25 Water revealed a sculptural centerpiece that feels both architectural and organic. The large curving concrete form flows through the space. It integrates seating and planters within a single continuous surface. The feature divides the lobby steps and ADA ramp. Its design brings movement and balance to the room, transforming a transitional space into a visual centerpiece.
One level below, the spa lobby continues the same design language. The custom 3D printed bench wraps around a central planter, creating a calming focal point that complements the spa’s aesthetic. Its sculptural form mirrors the fluid geometry of the main lobby, creating a visual and material connection between the two spaces.
On the 25th floor, a couple of custom benches carry the same design rhythm with a refined curvature that enhances the communal and conference areas. Each section fit through the freight elevator. The team assembled the entire feature in under three hours with minimal labor. As a result, the installers completed several monolithic concrete installations without cranes or large pump trucks. This shows how 3D concrete printing can simplify construction even in high-rise environments.
Together, these three installations form a cohesive architectural statement. They highlight the precision and flexibility of Printera’s 3D concrete printing process.
Why 3D Concrete Printing in New York Matters
Large urban projects demand efficiency, precision, and creativity. These qualities align perfectly with 3D concrete printing. For cities like New York, where site space is limited and every day of labor counts, pre-printed concrete elements can transform how design intent becomes built reality.
Additionally, by handling fabrication off-site, Printera reduces noise, waste, and labor on busy construction sites while still delivering fully custom, architecturally expressive designs. The SoMa Residences at 25 Water project proved that large-scale 3D printed installations are not only possible in New York but also practical, efficient, and scalable.
Expanding Design Possibilities
Projects like SoMa Residences at 25 Water show how 3D concrete printing can bring new freedom to architecture. It creates shapes and surfaces that balance structure with artistry.
If you are an architect or designer interested in exploring custom 3D printed concrete features, we would love to collaborate.