If the last time you were in St. George, the ferry dropped you off at a waterfront that felt half-finished — empty lots, stalled projects, an outlet mall that never quite cohered — 2026 is going to look very different. The North Shore Action Plan is finally past the concept stage, Lighthouse Point opened, and a long-stalled site is getting reimagined with 2,400 new homes attached. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what it means if you live here or you’re planning a day trip over on the ferry.
Lighthouse Point Is Finally Open
Governor Kathy Hochul marked the completion of the first phase of Lighthouse Point on the St. George waterfront. The project, developed by Triangle Equities, delivered 115 new residential units, 60,000 square feet of commercial space, and 274 parking spots in its opening phase. For a site that sat in various stages of development for years, this is a real tangible win for the North Shore — people living on the waterfront, storefronts that will (eventually) fill in with businesses, and the beginning of a pedestrian spine that actually connects the ferry terminal to the neighborhood behind it.
The North Shore Action Plan Moves Forward
The city has formally advanced the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, which includes the long-promised two-mile waterfront esplanade running from Stapleton through Tompkinsville to St. George. Centerpiece of the plan: the former New York Wheel site and Empire Outlets, which NYCEDC has proposed redeveloping into a new mixed-use community.
The numbers, as currently proposed:
- $400 million investment
- 2,400 new homes across a range of income levels
- More than 20 acres of public space
- Over 7,500 family-sustaining jobs
NYCEDC has said the project will enter the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) in the first half of 2026, with approval targeted for the following year. That timeline matters — ULURP is where community boards, the borough president, the City Planning Commission, and the City Council each weigh in, and it’s the window where residents can actually shape the final terms.
What’s at Stake for Residents
Proposals on the table include three high-rises, an 800-seat high school at 25 Wall Street, and a family courthouse expansion. The plan would add nearly 1,000 residential units but provide only about 500 off-street parking spaces — which is why transit load and on-street parking are two of the biggest concerns residents have been raising in public sessions.
If you live on the North Shore, this is the window to show up. NYCEDC has committed to continued community engagement throughout the environmental review process, and community-session comments regularly shape how projects end up being approved.
The Housing Market in Context
Median home prices on Staten Island are currently reported in the $450,000–$550,000 range depending on property type, with condos roughly $350,000–$550,000 for one- and two-bedroom units. Across the borough, roughly 1,238 housing units are under construction with another 2,302 in pre-development. The North Shore plan alone could eventually add 2,400 homes once all phases complete.
What You Need to Know
- Lighthouse Point: Phase 1 complete — 115 units, 60,000 sq ft commercial, 274 parking spots on the St. George waterfront
- North Shore Action Plan: Two-mile esplanade, Stapleton to Tompkinsville to St. George
- Former NY Wheel / Empire Outlets site: Proposed $400M redevelopment with 2,400 homes and 20+ acres of public space
- ULURP timing: Enters the review process in the first half of 2026; approval targeted the year after
- Current housing market: Medians roughly $450K–$550K borough-wide; more than 1,200 units under construction
- Parking & transit: Pay attention — new proposals add units faster than parking
For more on what’s happening with ferry service and the St. George terminal this spring, see our NYC Bus & Ferry update, and for a deeper dive on the North Shore redevelopment specifically, our earlier St. George waterfront explainer is the best background read.
