Eastman Way Revitalization
VIBRANT COMMUNITY CORRIDORS CREATED FROM FORGOTTEN ALLEYS
Commercial Streetscape
In the heart of East Hampton Village's bustling business district, a series of neglected alleyways presented both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. What had become utilitarian corridors dominated by mechanical equipment and waste storage held the potential to extend the village's welcoming character into previously overlooked spaces. The vision: to transform these forgotten passages into a network of green, pedestrian-friendly corridors that would invite pause, connection, and community engagement while honoring the area's historic character.
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Clients: EG Capital Group, LLC
Completion Date: 2024
Size: 6100 SF, 0.14 acres
Collaborators:
Client/Developer — EG Capital Group, LLC
Architect — Rice Architects, PLLC
Property Manager — Morley Agency
General Contractor — X-Act Contracting
Mason — MOE Masonry
Site Planting and Maintenance — The Laurel Group
Civil Engineering — Raynor Group
Teak Furniture Supplier — Country Casual
Flower Pots — Tournesol
Lighting Designer — L'Observatoire International
Electrician and Lighting Installer — Two Gang Electric
Plumbing — Okey Plumbing
Julian Bracero Photography
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LINLA Awards 2025
Winner of the Gold award
Category: CommercialGarden Club of America
2024 Civic Improvement Commendation
RECLAIMING SPACE FOR PEOPLE
The primary challenge lay in reimagining spaces that had been entirely surrendered to infrastructure. Air conditioning condensers dominated ground-level areas, leaving little room for human activity or natural systems. Our approach began with a comprehensive site assessment that revealed opportunities to relocate mechanical equipment to rooftops, fundamentally shifting the character of these spaces from service corridors to community assets. This strategic move liberated the heart of each alley, creating generous pedestrian zones that now accommodate the seasonal influx of visitors while fostering year-round community interaction.
Features
Public Promenade. Planting Design. Historic Preservation. Commercial Development. Stormwater Management. Native Planting. Streetscape Design. Outdoor Dining + Cafe Area. Site Furnishings.
WEAVING HISTORY WITH RENEWAL
The site's existing brickwork told the story of East Hampton's architectural heritage, yet much of it had deteriorated beyond functional use. Rather than discarding this historic material, we carefully salvaged and repositioned the stonework to create new garden edges and define planting areas. This approach honored the village's past while establishing a foundation for ecological renewal. The introduction of cobblestone edging creates clear boundaries between pedestrian circulation and planted areas, ensuring both the protection of seasonal displays and the preservation of walkable pathways during peak summer traffic.
DESIGNING WITH WATER AND SEASONS
We designed the landscape to capture and filter runoff through strategically placed garden beds that double as seasonal showcases. The planting strategy embraces both resilience and beauty, featuring climate-adapted species like Little Lime hydrangeas, Walker's Low catmint, and Rozanne cranesbills that thrive in the demanding conditions of heavy foot traffic while supporting local pollinators. Custom removable planters and window boxes allow for dynamic seasonal displays while ensuring practical winter maintenance, creating a landscape that remains functional and beautiful throughout the year.
These transformed alleyways now serve as social corridors that connect businesses, encourage lingering, and demonstrate how thoughtful design can turn overlooked urban spaces into vital community assets. The project proves that even the most constrained environments can contribute to human well-being and ecological health when approached with creativity and respect for both natural systems and local character.