(Relaxnews) - It's a tale of two cities. A bit of forward thinking and ingenuity is driving an emerging trend that would see derelict subway stations transformed into a restaurant or swimming pool, and pop-up stores opening in major metro hubs -- on both sides of the Atlantic.
It’s an idea born in two cities where real estate comes at a high premium: New York and Paris.
In the Big Apple, Storefront, an online marketplace that connects startups with available properties in the city, has struck a partnership with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority that will see parts of the underground metro turned into pop-up retail space for artists and designers.
![abandoned ghost subway stations]()
![abandoned ghost subway stations]()
And with 5.3 million subway commuters daily, that amounts to enormous foot traffic and potential retail sales.
Across the Atlantic, Parisian mayoral candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, known by her initials NKM, also has her sights on the derelict, unused metro stations of the city’s underground system and proposes bold, forward-thinking projects that would turn phantom stations into usable spaces for the public.
![abandoned ghost subway stations]()
Artist renderings designed with the help of urban architects, for instance, show a ghost station transformed into a fine dining restaurant, an art exhibition centre, theatre, night club or indoor swimming pool.
![abandoned ghost subway stations]()
![abandoned ghost subway stations]()
It’s an idea born in two cities where real estate comes at a high premium: New York and Paris.
In the Big Apple, Storefront, an online marketplace that connects startups with available properties in the city, has struck a partnership with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority that will see parts of the underground metro turned into pop-up retail space for artists and designers.
Rendering of Paris metro ghost station project for an art gallery.
Rendering of Paris metro ghost station project for a restaurant.
And with 5.3 million subway commuters daily, that amounts to enormous foot traffic and potential retail sales.
Across the Atlantic, Parisian mayoral candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, known by her initials NKM, also has her sights on the derelict, unused metro stations of the city’s underground system and proposes bold, forward-thinking projects that would turn phantom stations into usable spaces for the public.
Rendering of Paris metro ghost station project for a theatre.
Artist renderings designed with the help of urban architects, for instance, show a ghost station transformed into a fine dining restaurant, an art exhibition centre, theatre, night club or indoor swimming pool.
Rendering of Paris metro ghost station project for a pool.
Rendering of Paris metro ghost station project for a night club.