Back in the High Line Again
by habituallychic
07 . 12 . 09I had a meeting with my website designer this week at Pastis so I thought it was the perfect time to visit the new High Line park and I’m so glad that I did! I live uptown with all of Central Park as my backyard so I really had no idea what to expect from a park on an old elevated railway downtown but I was blown away by it’s thoughtful design.
The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930’s to elevate dangerous freight trains that served the warehouses in the area off the streets of Manhattan. It was used up until 1980 and thereafter fell into a state of disrepair with weeds growing up through the old rails. It wasn’t until 1999 that redevelopment was suggested. In 2004 the fund were allotted and finally in June 2009 part of the new High Line park was opened.
The High Line was led by James Corner Field Operations with Diller Scofidio + Renfro who did an amazing job combining the old elements with the new. The wildflowers and plantings mimic the types of plants that would have grown up on the derelict railway.
I’ll be back in the high life again,
21 Comments
I recently visited this well designed public green space while in the City. My husband and I were there at sunset the view was spectacular. The park is the perfect mix of vintage structures and modern design and of urban surroundings and natural vegetation.
Have your heard of the Renegade Cabaret? We stumbled upon it while we were there. A woman who lives on W. 20th street regularly opens up her fire escape for a mini amateur cabaret show. It is quite interesting and very New York! It has been written up in the New York Times and the Washington post.
Lovely post about a lovely idea! I can’t wait to visit my next trip up.
ML
Next time I am in NYC, I am going to go check that out! Looks awesome..Thanks for sharing..
Oh this is great. I heard about this park last year on NPR. What a great concept. Interesting blend of nature and a city’s progress through time.
I love the inner city greens, what a treat for city slickers! Be sure and stop by my Blog giveaway tomorrow!
Leslie
You’re a writer and an interior designer? You live my dream life.
I have heard of this and I wish I still lived up there so I could visit. I’ll have to just wait until my next trip! Great post!!!
The High Line Park is definitely on our “to do list” for NYC. We cannot wait to go check it out! Thanks for the suggestion/post!
This is the best picture tour I’ve seen of the High Line. Thanks so much.
Fantastic post – can’t wait to visit when I’m back in NY this August. Your photos are really great – glad to see the weather has improved!
Now looking even more forward to getting home!
such a great and interesting post. love that song too!
Heather – really great coverage on this story. I receive the NY Times everyday and they did not do as thorough of a job. Love how you covered the design elements of the park. Love your blog – keep up the great work!
I went for the first time this weekend as well and would like to say this is one of my new favorite places to watch the sunset. If you go on a Sunday you can follow it by live big band music and swing dancing at pier 13 or over to the frying pan for a true summer burger and beer (also great live music.) I love this city!
Great post. New York looks so beautiful in your photos which are fantastic. Thanks.
Isn’t it fabulous? Apparently those colored window panes are changed periodically so the colors may be different each time you go…and I love the Standard Hotel. So 70s Miami!
Brilliant use of space!
What an interesting place!!! There’s actually someplace similiar in Paris – on top of the old aquaducts! Hmmm… I’m wondering what this park looks like in winter. I’ll be in NYC in December, but am not so certain it would be as charming in winter! Any thoughts?
Can’t wait to go to NYC to visit this place
GREAT post. I was so excited to share this with my New Yorker friend… turns out she has been there many times- it’s one of her faves! Definitely need to visit and go see it!
cool.