Facebook was aflame this morning with new renderings by HWKN (Hollwich Kushner) for Fire Island’s notorious Pavilion, the entertainment complex that burned down last November. In January, it was reported in The New York Times that Diller Scofidio + Renfro were signed on to do the master plan for the marina, of which the Pavilion sits at the center and serves as the social hub.

Amidst rumors that the complex’s most recent owners, Andrew Kirtzman, Seth Weissman and Matthew Blesso, were more intent on selling the property  than building there, the new renderings are a tantalizing tease of what could be. Indeed, the town center, such as it is, has always stood in humble contrast to high stylings of homes hidden behind thickets of bamboo. Architect and historian Christopher Rawlins, whose upcoming book on Horace Gifford highlights several houses in the Pines, noted that since the 1960s the marina was always well-used if utilitarian. The new complex would represent a definitive shift in the culture, both local and at large. “It would be the first instance of distinguished commercial architecture in a place that up to now has only had distinguished residential architecture,” said Rawlins. In addition to Gifford, Andrew Geller, Harry Bates, and Earl Combs all built on the island.

A reliable source told AN that the new designs would include prefab elements alongside the rough-hewn wood. The space would also be amenable for open air weddings as well as an air conditioned/soundproofed area for late night debauchery. Designs for the temporary structure for this season are reportedly being held up by permits, though HWKN certainly have their pavilion (lower p) cred through designs for PS1.