The Staten Island Ferry floating nightclub project of Colin Jost and Pete Davidson – the subject of at least one “guy who bought a boat” joke on Jost’s Weekend Update – might be a bit closer to setting sail, heavy emphasis on “might.”
In an interview with Curbed, Ron Castellano, the architect and partner of Davidson and Jost’s decommissioned ferry project, told Curbed this week that plans are still underway for what could be a $34 million renovation project that would turn the rusty ferry into a luxury oasis of bars, restaurants a maybe a hotel.
Jost and Davidson – famously Staten Islanders – rescue-purchased the soon-to-be junked vessel two years ago for just under $300,000, announcing plans for a floating entertainment vessel.
Since then, various media reports have suggested that the project was going no place fast, reports Castellano dismisses in the new interview.
“The things you read — I don’t even know what they’re about,” he said when asked by Curbed about the reports. “I don’t even read them anymore.”
Castellano said plans were still being prepared for the renovation of the 1965 ferry, saying, “I think right now, we have six bars and two venues operated separately or combined. We have outdoor event space, we have restaurants — two restaurants. It’s a big boat, almost 300 feet long, 65,000 square feet.”
Asked about Davidson and Jost’s role in the project, he said, “They have input. They see everything. We have meetings as needed, sometimes twice a week, sometimes every three months. Right now, honestly, I’m trying to get the design work done as fast as possible. So I’ll just go away and do my thing, present it. I’ve been working on the designs and working with consultants and the naval architects Persak & Wurmfeld and hospitality consultants and the speciality trades in that world, and we’re just moving forward.”
The current plans, he said, call for the vessel to be tugged to various cities along the Eastern seaboard, where it would dock periods of time. The ferry would not operate with its own engine.
Jost and Davidson did not comment for the article.