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New Governors Island Renderings Show Pool, Spa and Hotel

 A spa, hotel or conference may one day open on Governors Island, which contines to transform
Spa and Hotel May Open on Governors Island
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GOVERNORS ISLAND — A relaxing afternoon on Governors Island may one day include massages, facials and a dip in an outdoor pool along with bike rides and leisurely strolls through acres of revamped green space.

Just-released renderings show glimpses of a possible spa, hotel or conference center that might eventually open as part of the private redevelopment of existing buildings in the Governors Island Historic District.

The island — which is in the midst of a highly anticipated overhaul into a year-round destination with expansive new public spaces, as well as cultural and commercial buildings — is currently sorting through 15 proposals for the reuse of 40 historic buildings on the northern half of the island, Leslie Koch, the president of The Trust for Governors Island, said this week.

The Hills on Governors Island
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The Trust For Governors Island

While potential tenants come from a variety of educational, hospitality, nonprofit and commercial backgrounds, Koch said, the idea of an outdoor pool — among other relaxing elements — is an exciting prospect for the former military base.

"Imagine seeing a pool on the grounds of Governors Island," Koch said, while presenting the new renderings to Community Board 1 Wednesday night.

The Trust put out a request for proposals for the buildings in December, and they're still working to choose who will eventually occupy the more than 1 million square feet of historic space, Koch said.

While the private components of the island are still several years away, construction on acres of public parkland is moving forward.

An animated video released by the Trust gives a 3-D tour of the transformation of one of the island’s most anticipated new features — massive waterfront hills, now under construction, that will offer sweeping views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

Though the hills are slated to open in 2015, construction is nearly complete on 30 additional acres of new park space, called Governors Island Park, which includes ball fields, a grove of trees strung with hammocks and playful greenery with maze-like hedges.

That parkland, which the public recently had a chance to tour before the island closed for the season, is set to be ready by the end of October.