East River Esplanade Improvements

HSS is the world's leading academic medical center dedicated to musculoskeletal health. We are ranked No. 1 in orthopedics in the United States for 16 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report (2025–2026).

Last year, more than 260,000 patients traveled from around the country and across the globe to seek HSS expertise. To continue to meet growing demand for our unmatched care, HSS is enhancing our Upper East Side main campus and beautifying the neighborhood.

Currently, HSS is working in coordination with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Department of Transportation to advance improvements to the East River Esplanade between East 70th and East 78th Streets. This work aligns with the City’s Esplanade master plan and builds on HSS’s prior $1.8 million renovation between East 70th and East 72nd Streets in 2018.

Construction is expected to be completed by October 2026, with sections opening in phases. Updates by section are below.

detailed image of esplanade improvement and planned hss kellen tower location
Aerial view of the planned expansion.

East 72nd–78th Streets and Pedestrian Bridge

This section of the Esplanade remains closed due to active construction. Reopening of the Esplanade between East 72nd and East 78th Streets, originally anticipated in October, is now expected on November 23, 2026. The revised timeline reflects additional sinkhole repairs near East 80th Street being undertaken by NYC Parks, which requires access to this area of the Esplanade.

Additional work undertaken in this section of the Esplanade has included:

Coordination with NYC Parks on structural repairs, including remediation of a sinkhole near the base of the East 78th Street ramp and seawall improvements
Surface upgrades, including new pavers, landscaping, and installation of fitness equipment (see image below)
Work by NYC Parks to remediate a sinkhole at East 74th Street (now complete)

The East 78th Street pedestrian bridge is now open following a temporary closure earlier this summer.

Esplanade rendering gym workout area

East 70th–71st Streets and Pedestrian Bridge - Completed

This section of the Esplanade is now fully open for the community to enjoy. Work completed includes the following:

Installation of a new, permanent pedestrian ramp at 71st Street — now open as of June 2026
Installation of permanent pavers and landscaping by HSS
Remediation of two sinkholes by NYC Parks
Removal of a decommissioned fuel line by Con Edison

Group photo of HSS and NYC leaders — HSS leaders joined NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin, NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, and community partners to commemorate the reopening of the 71st Street pedestrian ramp.

About HSS

Founded during the Civil War to care for underserved children and wounded soldiers, HSS is today ranked No.1 for orthopedics for 16 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026). We have also been named a leader in pediatric orthopedics by the U.S. News “Best Children’s Hospitals” list. HSS maintains 20 research laboratories focused on advancing musculoskeletal health. Our orthopedic residency program is top ranked in the nation in both reputation (No. 1) and research output (No. 2) by the professional healthcare network Doximity. HSS is proud to serve people locally, nationally, and from around the globe.

Contact Us

Tracy Hickenbottom
Assistant Vice President, Public & Media Relations
mediarelations@hss.edu
212.606.1197

Lizzy Keach
Manager, Public & Media Relations
mediarelations@hss.edu
212.606.1197

Rachael Rennich
Senior Manager, Public & Media Relations
mediarelations@hss.edu
212.606.1197