The Right Track
Atop railway tracks by the banks of the Hudson River stands Hudson Yards, Manhattan’s newest neighbourhood
Sprouting up on the far west side of Manhattan and owned by real estate titan Stephen Ross, the newly-opened Hudson Yards is the largest and most expensive private estate venture in America’s history—worth US$25 billion to be exact. The state was highly involved in this development; it extended the No. 7 subway line to connect it to the rest of the city’s lines and provided tax incentives to increase job opportunities. It’s also an engineering feat that sits above the West Side’s 30-track railyard, which is still active. Phase One opened this spring, with skyscrapers comprising office and residential space and the Equinox Hotel in the Eastern yard section. Here are the stand-outs of this newly-minted district:
The edge
Opening soon, this observation deck offers paranomic views of the city from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards— the 7,500-square-feet viewing area features a seethrough floor made of 15 sections of steel and glass, bolted together like a jigsaw puzzle that hangs off the east and south sides of the skyscraper.
The Vessel
While New Yorkers have mixed feelings about this climbable artwork, dubbing it “the staircase to nowhere,” it’s hard to take your eyes off the over US$150 million landmark created by acclaimed architect Thomas Heatherwick. Inspired by ancient Indian stepwells, the 15-storey-high latticed structure stands unapologetically in middle of Hudson Yards, calling out to the public to explore it.
The shed
The eight-storey non-profit arts centre designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Rockwell Group houses two galleries, an intimate Griffin Theater and an event area in The Tisch Skylights. The most inventive space here is Mccourt, which can morph according to artist’s needs by deploying a movable outer shell with giant wheels.
The spur at high line
It’s been a decade since the popular High Line opened; the 2.33-kilometre elevated park was designed in part by Elizabeth Diller, the same architect behind The Shed. Christened The Spur, its final section surrounds Hudson Yards and is now completed. Its centrepiece is The Plinth, an exhibition space featuring rotating public art commissions.
The shops and restaurants at hudson Yards
Flanked by skyscrapers, the seven-storey mall features a James Carpenter-designed glass wall above its main entrance, which allows for stunning views of The Vessel and the public square. Home to over 100 stores and restaurants, highlights include New York’s first Neiman Marcus department store and the highly-lauded Tak Room, a new restaurant by Thomas Keller.