The Highline. Where to start. Rags to riches story really. An abandoned railway line, transformed and brought back to life as an urban oasis in what must be one of the most successful urban revival and revitalisation designs in recent history.
As you meander your way along the winding path, what is striking is not only the views in all directions, it is the way that it simply ‘works’. Kids running up and down along the lineal seating that curves its way out of the cement, people stopping to touch the foliage that changes from field flowers to lush small overhanging trees.
The interspersed artwork along the Highline is kooky and to be honest a bit kitsch, but it doesn’t matter. The use of space is incredible if only primarily for the fact that it makes people happy and it is a usable section of serenity in a mad city.
Highlights are the sun lounge style timber beds that you can lie on and enjoy views of the Hudson River and the steeped (again timber clad) stadium style seating which utilises small pockets of incredible views.
There are some amazing apartments and office spaces on either side of the space, including some new Zaha Hadid designs.
The Highline really left me feeling high and energised in the hope that there will be more urban design projects as successful as this one.
Pave & Pave Creative 