The High Line Frenzy

By — Filed under: Architecture News ,Landscape ,Urban Design , ,
 

© Michelle Borth

It is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed to, but ever since the initial idea of revitalizing the High Line began sprouting up, New Yorkers have been taking full advantage of the project and loving every second spent strolling, relaxing and gazing at the West Side’s newest addition. The project has truly piqued locals and tourists’ interests as the elevated promenade is enjoyed as much today as it was on opening day over a year ago.

With such success, it is no surprise, as Kate Taylor reported for the New York Times, that the small office of the Friends of the High Line has received countless calls asking how their cities can also enjoy the effect.

After seeing ’s success, cities across the United States, such as Jersey City, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago, are interested in transforming their deteriorating infrastructure into new public spaces. “There’s a nice healthy competition between big American cities,” Ben Helphand, who is pushing to create a park on a defunct rail line in Chicago told Kate Taylor for the Times. “That this has been done in puts the onus on us to do it ourselves and to give it a Chicago stamp.”

But the High Line’s influence has also attracted international cities’ attention. Developers from Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Rotterdam and Singapore have been either in contact with Field Operations or have been scouting out the Gansevoort structure, observing and analyzing the bustling park.

Since the park’s opening, the project has further activated the growing area of the Meat Packing District.  Plus, the park fits in nicely with its new architectural neighbors designed by Frank Gehry and Jean Nouvel, and the soon to be Whitney Museum extension by Renzo Piano.

The High Line’s success has restored confidence in urban renewal projects and as the years progress, it will be exciting to see other cities’ variations of the project.  In almost every urban context, there’s an under-used section just waiting to be restored to its original luster or re-conceived as something entirely new. Either way, the idea of reviving any portion of these cities will result in a great variety of projects that will capture each city’s esence and character a little bit differently.

 
 
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lil jimmy says:

How about other cities come up with something new and don’t copy….typical sheeple.

 
# July 19, 2010 at 17:11
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    naysayer says:

    if we listened to you, we’d all lie around sneering all day and never do anything.

     
    # July 20, 2010 at 05:51
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    Big T says:

    Paris had a park on an old elevated rail line for a while.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promenade_plant%C3%A9e

    How about NY copying Paris? Feeling sheepish?

     
    # July 20, 2010 at 11:03
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9:15 AM Jul 19th

【archi info】 The High Line Frenzy http://dlvr.it/2nYBZ #Landscape (archdaily) #rental_archiinfo

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9:15 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy: © Michelle BorthIt is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed to, but ever s… http://bit.ly/cAucOb

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9:16 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy: © Michelle BorthIt is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed to, but … http://tinyurl.com/33lj3wh

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9:16 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy: © Michelle BorthIt is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed to, but ever s… http://bit.ly/ba91MX

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9:24 AM Jul 19th

#architekt The High Line Frenzy: It is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed… http://bit.ly/aZrVps #in http://dy.cx/c03

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9:24 AM Jul 19th

RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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9:38 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy: It is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed to, but ever since the initial… http://bit.ly/cAucOb

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9:44 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy via ArchDaily – © Michelle Borth It is easy to take for granted the things you … http://tinyurl.com/2fk9pxr

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9:55 AM Jul 19th

Yes! We want one too! :) RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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10:03 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy (@ArchDaily) http://bit.ly/9RL9J3

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10:03 AM Jul 19th

Piano, Gehry, Nouvel, fabulousness, #NYC RT @archdaily The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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10:11 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy | ArchDaily http://bit.ly/9RL9J3

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10:13 AM Jul 19th

The High Line Frenzy | ArchDaily: It is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed… http://bit.ly/aZrVps http://www.cubestudio.info

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10:17 AM Jul 19th

RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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12:17 PM Jul 19th

Auckland aspirant mayors and planners please note RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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1:27 PM Jul 19th

RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy http://archdai.ly/btmzx3 #architecture

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4:16 PM Jul 19th

Ótimo projeto de revitalização em NY!
The High Line Frenzy | ArchDaily http://bit.ly/9RL9J3

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5:14 PM Jul 19th

Glad 2 see how NYC's Highline is restoring confidence in urban renewal http://bit.ly/bfY1O3 This city def. enjoys its parks

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10:15 AM Jul 20th

What part of Denver would you like to see transformed like this?
'After seeing New York’s success, cities across… http://fb.me/BYrJyB0A

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5:40 AM Aug 1st

RT @myarchn: RT @archdaily: The High Line Frenzy | It is easy to take for granted the things you grow accustomed… http://archdai.ly/btmzx3

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1:36 AM Nov 14th

Reading: "The High Line Frenzy | ArchDaily"( http://twitthis.com/t3t2ye )

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1:01 PM Dec 23rd

Reading: "The High Line Frenzy | ArchDaily"( http://twitthis.com/t3t2ye )

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