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Project

Manresa Wilds

- Norwalk, USA

Manresa Wilds transforms a decommissioned power plant into a 125-acre public park, merging ecological restoration with adaptive reuse.

Aerial view of Manresa Island design with green spaces, buildings, smokestack, beach, and surrounding water.

Aerial view of a conceptual design for Manresa Island, featuring a large green park with various trees and pathways. A prominent smokestack and several buildings are visible, surrounded by water on three sides. The design includes a beach area, a pier, and boats in the water.

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Story

Manresa Wilds

Transforming Industrial Heritage into Ecological Haven Manresa Wilds is an ambitious project set to redefine the southeastern Connecticut landscape by transforming the industrial remnants of Manresa Island into a vibrant public park. The site, once dominated by a coal-fired power plant, will become a 125-acre haven for ecological restoration and public engagement. The project, designed by BIG in collaboration with SCAPE, is slated for completion in 2030 and aims to reconnect the city of Norwalk with its waterfront, offering 1.75 miles of previously inaccessible shoreline. The design preserves and adapts the plant's main structures, including the boiler building, turbine hall, office building, and the iconic smokestack. These elements will be reimagined into a network of event spaces, educational facilities, and recreational areas. The park will feature new waterfront paths, living shorelines, and wetland restorations, designed to mitigate climate impacts while enhancing biodiversity. Manresa Wilds will also serve as a hub for research and community activities, with partnerships with local universities fostering educational opportunities. The park's design celebrates the site's natural resurgence, highlighted by the growth of a birch forest and the return of ospreys. Visitors will enjoy amenities such as outdoor thermal pools, a public beach, and a rejuvenated pier, all set against the backdrop of Long Island Sound.

Design Highlights

Adaptive reuse of industrial structures into public amenities 1.75 miles of restored waterfront access Ecological restoration including wetland and shoreline enhancements Recreational facilities including swimming areas and thermal pools Educational and research spaces in collaboration with local universities

Key Facts

Feature Details
Location Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Site Area 125 acres
Waterfront Access 1.75 miles
Main Structures Boiler building, turbine hall
Completion Year 2030
Design Team BIG, SCAPE

Technical summary

Updated 3/8/2026

Finishes

  • Facade: Modern glass facade with metal framework.

Materials

  • Glass — Facade and large windows in various buildings.
  • Metal — Framework and industrial elements.
  • Wood — Interior auditorium walls and ceiling.

Construction / Systems

  • Adaptive reuse: Preservation and adaptation of existing industrial structures into new functional spaces.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through large windows and glass facades.

Images

Aerial view of Manresa Island design with green spaces, buildings, smokestack, beach, and surrounding water.
Wetland landscape with birds and industrial building in the background.
Park with people on grass and industrial building with smokestack in the background.
Aerial view of a large building complex with a tall smokestack, surrounded by greenery and water.
Modern building with blue facade and tall smokestack, surrounded by trees.
Outdoor pool area with lounge chairs, people, a blue building, and a tall concrete structure.
Modern circular building with glass walls and upper deck, surrounded by greenery and people in an outdoor setting.
Modern building with smokestack, surrounded by autumn trees and people walking on a path.
Modern building with large windows and green landscaped area with people.
Park area with boardwalk, people sitting and walking, surrounded by trees, with an educational display about Atlantic White Cedar Swamp.
Three people looking through circular windows in a blue corrugated metal wall at industrial structures.
Interior with hanging plants, transparent slide, woman and children interacting with mechanical dials.
Interior space with hanging plants, seating, and people socializing.
Interior of a modern industrial space with a yellow staircase, hanging plants, and workstations with people working.
Interior of a modern space with yellow seating, people, a suspended turbine, and a neon sign 'MANRESA WILDS'.
Interior view of a large industrial space with people interacting around tables displaying planetary models.
Cross-section of a multi-level building with people interacting in different spaces, featuring open areas, stairs, and colorful elements.
People enjoying a beach near an industrial building with a smokestack, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.
Children engaging with wooden play structures and woven tunnels in a natural setting with trees and plants.
Snowy landscape with people walking and playing near water, trees covered in snow, and a pier.
Scenic boardwalk with people walking, surrounded by greenery and water, under a clear sky with clouds.
Modern glass building next to a smokestack, surrounded by trees and a pool area with people.
Modern building with smokestack, surrounded by autumn trees and people walking.
Park with people and modern buildings in the background, featuring a tall smokestack and clear sky.
Aerial view of a beach with people and umbrellas next to a large building with a smokestack and surrounding greenery.
Modern building entrance with glass walls and metal framework, surrounded by greenery and people walking and cycling.
Interior view of a space with a climbing wall, hanging plants, and a slide, with people engaging in activities.
People in a green space with trees, a perforated canopy, and a glass structure with green framing.
Interior of an aquatic center with a pool, water slides, large windows, and hanging plants.
Interior of a modern auditorium with wooden design and large windows, showing people seated and a speaker in front.
Children playing in a colorful outdoor park with climbing structures and slides, surrounded by trees and modern buildings with orange accents.
Aerial view of a park with modern buildings, smokestack, and greenery.
Boardwalk through wetlands with people walking and a large building with a smokestack in the background.
Aerial view of an island park with green spaces, a smokestack, buildings, and a pier.
Indoor swimming pool with large windows overlooking outdoor pools, lounge areas, and a beach with a smokestack in the background.
Interior of an industrial-style space with people gathered for an event, featuring large windows, metal beams, and a mezzanine.
People enjoying a waterfront area with a pool, boardwalk, trees, and trailers.
Park pathway with people walking and jogging, surrounded by trees and greenery, with benches and picnic tables.
Map depicting Manresa Island and surrounding regions with marked shorelines.
Aerial view of Manresa Island Park near Norwalk, Connecticut, showing the island's greenery and surrounding water.
Aerial view of Manresa Island with industrial buildings, a smokestack, and tanks, surrounded by water.

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