On our first day of studio in New York City yesterday, we visited NYC's High Line Park.  I was familiar with the High Line after watching the documentary Urbanized (2011, Gary Hustwit).  The project is a really creative, innovative answer to both restoration and preserving history, as well as creating green space in an urban environment.  New York City's High Line is an elevated railway track above Manhattan's West Side which had become overgrown after decades of being unused.  In 1999, Friends of the High Line was founded as a community group to preserve the historic structure.  The High Line (first phase opened in 2009, second in 2011, and third currently under construction) is now a community park with landscaping designed by architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and landscape architecture firm, Field Operations.  The High Line serves as not only a place of gathering, but a connection between surrounding buildings.  It's a really unique concept, and I quite enjoyed the execution of it.









I love how they left the rail lines and incorporated them into the landscaping and design -







There are some pretty great views -







These lounges actually roll along the track.  You can push several together or separate them!





There were two different amphitheaters (this is the larger) with a glass wall so that you could see the traffic and buildings behind the stage -











The High Line only spans a mile, so it's an easy walk.

We also checked out the Chelsea Market which is indoors and off the High Line (though I believe only accessible from the street).







The site for our project has access to the High Line (the line actually runs right through the site), so I'll have many more opportunities to explore this unique place.




During the summer, the High Line Park is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues.

Chelsea Market is located at 75 9th Avenue, between 15th & 16th Streets.  To access from the High Line, take the 16th Street exit.