A new waterfront destination in San Francisco, US, would transform the city's South Beach neighbourhood.

Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the project – called The Cove – would be developed on the site of three former piers which were destroyed in 1984.

The Cove is based around a dramatic five-acre public park and has been designed to provide a new hub of activity for the city.

The horseshoe-shaped building includes modular, shed-like structures that stretch out over the water.

"The Cove is a new conceptual vision for San Francisco’s Piers 30-32," said Thomas Heatherwick.

"Opening up this part of the Bay for the first time in over 36 years, the idea of creating a new waterfront ecological park and community hub has been developed between Earthprise, our studio, and a team of experienced local waterfront and biodiversity specialists.

"The resilient design responds to the threats posed by the climate change emergency by generating solar-powered energy, incorporating low-carbon materials, restoring coastal processes, and enhancing habitats for fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, and wildlife."

"It is a next-generation, high-performance waterfront community that uniquely identifies with San Francisco — its history, character and values, and its neighbourhoods and soft natural coastal landscapes."

Pending approval, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

The location covers the former Piers 30–32 and has been the subject of a number of unsuccessful schemes in the past.

These included proposals for a new indoor arena for NBA franchise the Golden State Warriors and a new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Each plan, however, was mothballed for various reasons – from lack of funding to local resident resistance.

• To find out more about the plans, click here for the dedicated The Cove website.