The High Line 2018 

I’ve been visiting and writing about the High Line since 2009, observing the changes in this cool urban space.  These changes have been massive.  Every so often a friend goes there and comments about how interesting it is and I think, “Wish you could have seen it at the beginning. It has changed so much.”  

The project has resulted in a real estate boom that has professionals head shaking in wonder.  And a rush to get land and throw up a building. 

For example,  the construction is so extensive  that a gardener friend commented that the plantings might have to change because of the reduced sunlight.  The tall buildings popping up along the High Line are blocking the light needed for plants to grow.  

The High Line, if you aren’t familiar with it, is an elevated park on the west side of New York City, created from abandoned elevated train track.  The tracks were slated to be torn down but a group of concerned citizens got together….and well, the rest is history.   Some have referred to the originators of this project, “The Steve Jobs of Urban Design.” 

This blog post describes that beginning stage.  To see photos of the early days look at this and other blog posts on DesignDestinations. 

Then the community group behind the effort got enough money to open a second phase.  And then the third.  

Explosive growth in new construction in the once middle class area included a new Whitney Museum at the southern end.  It moved from the Upper East Side. Warehouses have been converted into lofts and art galleries.  Old businesses were torn down to make way for buildings designed by “starchitects” like Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Thomas Juul-Hansen, Robert A.M. Stern, Frank Gehry’s and Jean Nouvel. 

At the other end, the HIgh Llne curves around the railroad yards in direct view of massive new construction—Hudson Yards.  Hudson Yards is the largest private real estate development in the United States.   When completed it will encompass 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space including 100 shops and restaurants and 4,000 housing units.   More about that in future blogs. 

Along the way, there are always interesting and changing art installations, people taking selfies and a wide range of architectural styles.  The concept of an elevated park has been copied all around the world.  

At the northern end of the High Line the Shed is taking shape.  It’s a mammoth movable structure for designed for theater and performances, next to a multi-million dollar sculpture….one that you’ll be able to walk up and down. 

So, yes, if you go t o NYC, join the millions of tourists who stroll  the High Line.  I always tell people to go early in the day or late in afternoon.  Avoid weekends. During the  middle of the day it can be so crowded you can hardly move.  It makes me think of the security line at an airport.  Not fun.  

While it has brought huge commercial success to the area, there are people Not Happy, like the neighbors.  Their formerly quiet sidewalks are overrun with tourists and the streets are clogged with traffic.   They call it the High Line Effect, part of a bigger issue in the travel world called Overtourism.   That’s a topic for another blog post.  Stay tuned.  

But before I go, I ask, have you walked The High Line?  What was your experience?  How about sharing it in the comment section below?