$10M Governors Island renovation to bring food, event venues

A former weapons arsenal on Governors Island is undergoing a $10 million renovation to introduce new dining options and a large event space, as reported by media outlets.

The historic Building 140 will soon be home to Priscilla’s, a year-round cafe serving light fare and crafted cocktails, along with the Riverline, an indoor-outdoor full-service restaurant. Additionally, Taco Vista, a casual Mexican eatery present on the 172-acre island since 2018, will be reimagined. The three eateries and event space will be operated by the Mexican restaurant, which will also have a commissary kitchen.

The project, partially funded by the city, is expected to open in the fall of 2025. It will be one of the first adaptive reuse projects on the island to operate with 100% electric operations, as per The Trust for Governors Island officials.

Renovation work on the 10,000-square-foot administrative building, constructed by the US Army in 1875, will focus on flood resiliency, as well as brick and window replacements and repairs, according to the New York Business Journal.

This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to transform the island into a year-round destination for its nearly one million visitors, as stated by Clare Newman, the trust’s president and CEO.

In 2021, the island was made accessible to the public year-round. In another development, the island’s Italian day spa QC NY is expanding with a new building, a restaurant, and wellness offerings set to debut in July.