Taking the High Line

An oasis in the concrete jungle.

Earlier this month whilst visiting New York City, I walked the High Line. It is something I wanted to do for years.

The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail. It was created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City.

Led by the landscape architecture firm of James Corner Field Operations, the abandoned spur has been redesigned as a “living system” drawing from multiple disciplines which include landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology. Since opening in 2009, the High Line has become an icon of contemporary landscape architecture.

The Park is built on a disused, southern viaduct section of the New York Central Railroad line known as the West Side Line. Originating in the Lower West Side of Manhattan, the park runs from Gansevoort Street – three blocks below 14th Street, in the Meatpacking District – through Chelsea to the northern edge of the West Side Yard on 34th Street near the Javits Center.

I entered the High Line from Gansevoort Street.

There is no better way on foot, to experience the skyline and landscape of the lower to mid west side of Manhattan.

There are many relaxation areas throughout the length of the High Line. On a weekday, you would see many office workers having their bagged lunch, intermingled with tourists or having a coffee or cocktail in the cafes or concession stands. Step down restaurants and bars or via elevators, are available . The day I went it was cloudy and relatively cool.

Rest and Relax

HORTICULTURE

The Park is not devoid of foliage and the bees and birds which accompany that.

Lawn and Seating Steps at 23rd Street. This is a popular picnic spot.

URBAN THEATRE

There are spots where you can sit and watch the traffic go by below.

Window to the Street. The amphitheater is the site of both public performances and daily people watching on the street below.

10th Avenue Square and Overlook at 17th Street.

The InterActiveCorp’s headquarters can be seen from the 18th Street point. This building appears to consist of two major levels: a large base of twisted tower sections packed together like the cells of a bee hive.

The IAC Building

ARTWORKS

Artworks in and around the High Line

RESIDENCES

Residences designed by Zaha Hadid at 28th Street overlooking the High Line – starting price $4M

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

View of the Empire State Building

HUDSON YARDS

The Vessel is on my bucket list of things to do next time I visit the Big Apple.

I took a photo from quite a distance, of this copper colored steel structure in the middle

It’s called the “Vessel” and it is a 16 story structure of connected staircases, having 154 flights, 2,500 steps, 80 landings and is equivalent to about one mile. I am going to start training soon (famous last promises ). The Vessel has also been described as the final punctuation mark of the High Line.

The Vessel

Give yourself 2-3 hours to leisurely view and photograph the interesting surroundings, old and new buildings, the streets below, the Hudson River and the ever evolving Hudson Yard.

Even though I like how the West Side is developing I will always love the bluesy, jazzy, Bohemian, BB King, vibes of the East Side.

The High Line has become a global inspiration for cities to transform unused industrial zones into dynamic public spaces.