Manhattan's only Frank Gehry-designed building, from the High Line
No, it isn't cocaine. The High Line is a flower-filled ribbon of new parkland created from the unused elevated freight lines that ran downtown along the Hudson. I recently strolled there with my granddaughter, above the city streets, taking iPhone photos.
iron trestles, iron bridges in the Meat Packing district, concrete interpretations of former rail lines, planted with wildflowers
The High Line's rusted trestles were about to be torn down, but after years of planning were instead turned into a landscaping artwork, both uber-urban and relaxing.
benches, flowers, and the Empire State building, uptown and east
Strollers stare at the water and skyline from a new perspective, art students sketch, photographers record, people recline on chaises facing the Hudson. The park changes mood from block to block and depending on the time of day and year, from 7 am until 10 pm, offering sunset on the river. Since June 9, opening day, almost half a million visitors have taken the steps or elevators up to the park.
New York's new outdoor living room
In around and beneath the High Line, galleries, restaurants and museums are developing, and I have a feeling that this narrow, half-completed treasure --from 20th Street near 10th Avenue to the corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets (eventually on to 34th street by the Javits Center) -- will become as iconic and influential as Central Park.
I just love it.
the rail line is evident in reality and in interpretations
my grandaughter Sabrina, on a track
The Standard hotel near Little West 12th Street, built over the High Line, creates a cool and dark breezeway to get out of the sun.
see any naked people in the windows?
The Standard seeks out exhibitionist guests by promoting itself on the web as a sexy lodging. High Line folks can observe more than pretty flowers and urbanscapes by looking up at the hotel's huge plate-glass windows, often left uncurtained.
Sunken Overlook, the centerpiece of 10th Avenue Square, hovers over 16th and 17th Streets. People schmooze, picnic, chat or just stare at the traffic through a window, musicians and magicians hang out, and children play among the tiers of seating.
the amphitheatre, overlooking 10th, a great place for an urban picnic
patterns and shapes, through the High-Line trestle
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Comments
I read about this public area in the NYTs when it was coming into being, and oh how wonderful to see these photos and to see that it has become a wonderful community place, and so lovingly personalized with photos of your granddaughter Lea. Sweet.
Very, very nice. I expect to see this front and center tomorrow -- it's even got a little sex (an exhibitionists' hotel -- what will they think of next?) along with the pretty pictures and smart copy. There's a movement afoot to do similar things in Detroit with some of the vacant industrial structures. I'm going back in a couple weeks and hope to check it out...maybe do my own little photo essay.
sorry, lea, but I just had to ask.
NY’s become so much more livable over the years. When I was back there a few months ago, I was salivating over the biking and running paths of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. 32-miles, circumnavigating the whole of Manhattan, for the most part separated from all the cars!!!! Now why couldn’t that have been there when I lived in the big apple?
Lea, very cool pix. I had heard the term High Line and then saw the NYT article this week explaining what it was and how popular it is. Is there a lot of traffic noise from below when you're on it? Seems like there would be.
Providence had a raised structure like the High Line, but it was for cars only. That structure could have been used in the same way as a park and would have enhanced the downtown revitalization, but the structure was torn down sometime in the last 2o years. My praise goes out to all who made the High Line park happen.
Ablonde, I was also just inside the Gehry building (home of The Daily Beast, where my son is an editor). The views are spectacular and the rooms kind of curve, just like the outside, of course.
Theo, let's not get started on Yankees vs Red Sox!! But happy you took the time, after so much SEX.
LnotL: write your own post missy. You are taking over!! Just kidding, I wuv you!
And Bob, Laurel's question is a good one. Are you staying at the Standard. Maybe in fact we could have an OS meetup there!
David, NY turned its back to the waterfront for years. Finally, about 10 years ago, they turned and faced it.
designanator, yes it took vision and determination and a cooperative city government which is tough. This idea will spread throughout the world, no doubt as one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" things.
The rest of you, thanks so much for the encouragement, as usual.
And I have to laugh at my ad at the bottom of the post, right now: "Miami Mom Ends Wrinkles,"" Colon Cleansing" and "Mom Lost 57 Pounds ..." Does somebody at google adsense know me?
Thank you for my today's urban high. Just lovely... rAted!
Thumbed. Those are iPhone photos? Damn good job. :-D
latethink, yes I've joined the 21st century, cellphone camera at the ready, and not a bad one at that, to capture the "rough beauty."
Bill, yes I use an older version iPhone. The newer has even better quality.
- rated
Gary this place is right up your alley, so to speak. Someone with your kind of genius created it.
latethink, I understand, believe me. I'm the anti-techie.
Steve, have a good morning. Go do doctoring and then please write something.
We decided it was worth coming back AND dragging the stroller up. We want to enjoy it with him next time...
and it is more like art than park, but art for all.
Thanks for the post and pictures!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/embeedub/sets/72157621630390496/
And FWIW I've been twice, and the first time, I looked up to see a gentleman having a very Life of Brian moment right in the window of The Standard.
sactogator, yes it takes rails to trails to the max -- a quintessential urban experience that no doubt will blaze new trails (can't believe I wrote *that*!).
suznmaree, the highest (literally) order of recycling.
marcelleqb, yes that is one reason. It has vision and it has people who respond to the vision, when it's great. Half a million of us already, in two months.
Re: the billboard, I think the woman is pulling the man toward him so she can eat him, due to her obvious state of starvation. The abdominal region is meaty and delicious for many a hungry model. The buttocks will work well in a pinch also.
we were way too rushed to do anything like stop to go up, but i wish we had. i'll have to schedule it for my next trip.
the photos are great. thanks.
Your pictures are wonderful Lea. Thank you for pointing it out to those of us who weren't aware of it. (I'm also glad you pointed out there is elevator access...I trust it is doable for a wheelchair, which would be fantastic.)