Friends of the High Line, along side James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, have unveiled what could possibly be the gateway into the third and final stretch of New York’s most prized parkway. Planned to mark the northeast terminus of the High Line at Rail Yards on 10th Avenue at West 30th Street, the “immersive bowl-shaped structure,” known as “The Spur,” hopes to bring a pocket of New York’s lush woodlands to the heart of the city.
“Decades ago,” explained Friends of the High Line, “this extension, called the 10th Avenue Spur, connected with the Morgan Processing and Distribution Center, allowing freight trains to carry mail and packages to and from the upper-floor loading docks of the post office building. Today, the Spur is the widest area on the High Line and occupies a strategic position in the neighborhood, where it will serve as a visual access point to Hudson Yards, and offer visitors a new and unique park experience.”
If built, The Spur would offer stunning views of the surrounding city and Hudson River, as well as public restroom facilities. Inside its circular walls would be an intimate, “vegetated interior room” lined with “dense woodland plantings” and stepped seating.
Once complete by the end of 2014, the third section of the High Line will connect three neighborhoods along Manhattan’s West Side: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. Following its transformation will come more than 12 million square feet of mixed-use development raised on platforms above the active rail yard.
Reference: The High Line
