The retired SS United States ocean liner is being showcased in a free digital exhibition, which explores the “connections between the historic ocean liner, the evolution of consumer advertising, and American ideals and identity.”
In Loving Memory of Jim & Frieda Green
We were heartbroken to learn of the recent passing of Jim Green. Jim was a former crew member of the SS United States, who served as a purser on her record-breaking maiden voyage. He was also a dear friend of the Conservancy.
Longtime supporters may recall Jim and his late wife Frieda from the 2008 documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting. In one of the film's most moving scenes, Jim and Frieda recall meeting and falling in love aboard the Big U. Jim and Frieda's love story continued for 60 years until Frieda passed away in 2016.
Mark Perry, who produced Lady in Waiting and serves on the Conservancy’s Board of Directors, shared his memories of Jim and Frieda in a heartfelt Facebook post — the text of which follows below.
“I’ve received the very sad news that former SS United States crew member and good friend Jim Green passed away Friday night. I met Jim in 2002 aboard the Queen Mary during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Big U’s maiden voyage. A purser on those record-breaking first crossings, Jim was fond of telling the story that on their second day at sea, July 4th, 1952, the SS United States passed the SS America and the two ships exchanged salutes. Little did he know at the time, but a lovely young woman named Frieda Kerstgens was aboard the other liner, returning to New York with her parents. Five years later, Frieda was a passenger aboard the Big U, and she and Jim had a “meet cute” right out of a classic Hollywood film—a story they related with such charm in our 2008 documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Soon after they met, the couple married and Jim happily traded his life at sea for one on land. Jim and Frieda were two of the kindest, funniest people I’ve ever had the privilege to know, both with an ever-present twinkle in their eyes, and Jim always on the ready with a bad pun or groan-inducing joke. And even though you knew she’d heard them a million times, Frieda always laughed. When I relayed the news to Joe Rota, another dear friend, former crew member, and fellow Conservancy board member, he replied, “Jim was a good man, worked well with his shipmates, always a pleasure to be in his company. He was a good friend to have and I’m proud that he considered me his friend. Continued smooth sailings, Jim!” Conservancy president Susan Gibbs said, “His spirit will continue to animate our efforts to save his beloved ship.” Our hearts go out to the Greens: John, Heidi, Christopher and their families. I like to think dear Frieda, who left us in 2016, has been saving her beloved husband a deck chair.” —Mark Perry
The SS United States Conservancy is committed to creating a world-class museum and visitor center aboard the redeveloped Big U. Learn more about our plans here.
RXR Realty Moving Forward with Plans to Restore Legendary Ocean Liner, the SS United States
RXR distributes Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) seeking partnership with US city for a permanent waterfront location to restore “America’s Flagship” to its former glory
March 10, 2020 (New York) – RXR Realty, a leading real estate owner, operator, and developer in the New York Tri-State area, in partnership with the SS United States Conservancy, announced today the next step in its plans to restore and redevelop “America’s Flagship,” the iconic ocean liner, SS United States. With its maiden voyage in 1952, the United States became the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic, and at 100 feet longer than the RMS Titanic, the largest ever entirely made in America.
As part of RXR’s plan, the vessel will be repurposed as a permanently-moored floating structure anchored by a hotel program and a collection of unique hospitality and cultural spaces in the 600,000 square feet available for development. Those offerings would include a world class museum honoring the ship’s history and exploring mid-century design, art and innovation. This project will be landscape-altering for its home city, creating over 1,000 jobs, generating new direct and indirect economic activity, and activating the waterfront at its destination.
“The SSUS is an iconic piece of American engineering and design and we’re committed to finding a permanent home and restoring this one-of-a-kind luxury ocean liner into a vibrant, mixed-use destination,” said Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR Realty.
In search of a permanent home for the United States, RXR is requesting expressions of interest from a number of major US waterfront cities with the intent of starting a conversation about how this unique project can be a major driver of economic activity through the creation of a new, contemporary centerpiece for their waterfronts. Those cities include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
RXR has built its reputation on adapting and updating iconic assets for the 21st century tenant; their New York City portfolio alone includes the Helmsley Building, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, the Starrett-Lehigh Building, and the massive Pier 57 on Manhattan’s west side, which will house Google offices, City Winery, and rooftop screenings for the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, RXR works closely with municipalities on large-scale, transformational projects, including their status as master developer for the City of New Rochelle, their partnership with JetBlue on a new terminal at JFK Airport, and their redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.
For the United States, RXR has already assembled a best-in-class architectural and engineering team, including Perkins Eastman Architects, HLW, and Gibbs & Cox. The design team has a deep connection with the ship. Gibbs & Cox is the naval architect who originally designed the vessel, while an HLW partner on the team fondly remembers his own SS United States voyage as a six-year-old. The team was selected through a two-part design competition, which began in 2018 with an initial targeted request for expressions of interest to identify high-potential design concepts and teams. A shortlist of teams then completed an exhaustive request for proposals phase, which included detailed programming and design concepts.
“The SS United States has waited a long time for this opportunity," said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy, which owns and cares for the vessel. "RXR’s outstanding team understands the historic importance and economic potential of this enduring symbol of national pride and innovation. We will continue to work closely with them as they seek to secure a permanent home for America’s Flagship. The Conservancy is committed to delivering an extraordinary museum and visitor experience to complement RXR's dynamic mixed-use program."
At 990 feet long, the SS United States is the equivalent of the Chrysler Building laid on its side. Once the pinnacle of American design, technological innovation and luxury, the SS United States had a top-secret secondary identity as the world’s fastest troop transport ship, designed as part of a Cold War Pentagon program. The ship hosted more than a million passengers during her service career including four US Presidents, numerous celebrities, and legions of tourists, students, diplomats and immigrants.
Over the next few months, RXR will evaluate responses to the location RFEI and expects to work collaboratively with preferred locations as design and development of the ship advances.
About RXR Realty
RXR Realty LLC (“RXR”), is a New York-based, vertically integrated real estate operating and development company with expertise in a wide array of value creation activities, including distressed investments, uncovering value in complex transactions, structured finance investments and real estate development. RXR’s core growth strategy is focused on New York City and the surrounding region. The RXR platform manages 75 commercial real estate properties and investments with an aggregate gross asset value of approximately $20.5 billion, comprising approximately 25.5 million square feet of commercial operating properties and approximately 6,100 multi-family and for sale units in various stages of development in the New York Metropolitan area.
About the SS United States Conservancy
The SS United States Conservancy is a national nonprofit organization that leads the global effort to save and repurpose America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the iconic vessel’s maintenance, restoration and ultimate reuse as well as a world class museum collection of art, artifacts and archival resources relating to ship and American maritime history. The Conservancy’s ultimate goal is to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit www.ssusc.org.
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DKC
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