How an Abandoned Railroad Became One of NYC’s Most Popular Parks

How an Abandoned Railroad Became One of NYC’s Most Popular Parks | Architectural Digest

Рет қаралды 508,405

Ай бұрын

Today AD joins architect Nick Potts in New York City for a walking tour of The Highline. Once an abandoned commercial railroad, the area is now a thriving public park lined with designer buildings courtesy of some of the world’s most famous architects. Explore with Nick and discover how The Highline has transformed NYC’s Meatpacking District.
Archival Photos | Courtesy of Archive of Industry
Director: Hiatt Woods; Skylar Economy
Director of Photography: Eric Brouse
Editor: Daniel Finn
Host: Nick Potts
Producer: Skylar Economy
Director of Creative Development, Lifestyle: Morgan Crossley
Field Producer: Christie Garcia
Line Producer: Joe Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon Fuhr
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Marc Manasse
Audio Engineer: Brett Van Deusen
Production Assistant: Caleb Clark; Sonia Butt
Post Production Supervisor: Andrew Montague
Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew
Supervising Editor: Christina Mankellow
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell; Fynn Lithgow
Colorist: Oliver Eid
Want even more AD? Subscribe to the magazine and get a free tote ►► bit.ly/3Oh8McU
Still haven’t subscribed to Architectural Digest on KZfaq? ►► bit.ly/2zl7s34
ABOUT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
The leading international design authority, Architectural Digest features articles and videos of the best in architecture, style, culture, travel, and shopping.

Пікірлер: 204

@bryancash9051 Ай бұрын

I use to walk the highline before it was a park, and then years later would sell my photos on it...its nice to be a part of its history

@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher88 29 күн бұрын

Did the same as well. It really was almost an otherworldly experience. Like just knowing this secret place in the middle of everything.

@elenayee3093 Ай бұрын

I visited the Highline when it first opened and it was nothing you'd experience in NYC. It's like an oasis above the city. However, these days, it's pretty crowded so better to visit during off seasons. It's actually lovely to visit during the winter.

@TheDumplingGecko Ай бұрын

Yeah the tourist took over ☹️. No hate to the tourist at all but people tend to stand still and take a photo which stops the flow of the highline, and it’s a very narrow walking path.

@n900video Ай бұрын

I remember first hearing about the story of the Highline (and what a monumental task it was to convert it into a park) on some podcast many years ago and it became one of my favorite places in NYC ever since.

@joshualebowitz Ай бұрын

Agree. It was sensational before Hudson Yards opened.

@hanaskrovanek Ай бұрын

@@TheDumplingGecko so you expect tourists to just not take photos of NYC? Especially when it's The highline, an oasis above the city, like the comment said. I'm sorry but your comment sounds dumb.

@sinalyroy8051 Ай бұрын

Born and raised in NYC but haven’t been back in twenty plus. Had heard of all these changes, didn’t realize how amazing it is…remember when…thank you for the tour. Have to visit

@cherylkniffen Ай бұрын

And don’t forget the subway platform at Ground Zero when you go to New York is beautiful

@PiratesOnlineFan100 Ай бұрын

The Highline is a marvel and a testament to urban adaptive re-use principles, instead of the usual wasteful demolition. However, the new banal glass buildings surrounding it dont really connect to the area's rich industrial past and leave much to be desired architecturally - Zaha Hadid's being the exception ofc.

@salustianoberrios405 Ай бұрын

Very thoughtful summation!

@erics3457 Ай бұрын

I actually thought the opposite. Look at the shot at 9:11 for example. For me these buildings have industrial themes, and I think altogether it looks cool and almost sci-fi-ish.

@davidruffin473 Ай бұрын

Speak English bro

@chrisarcher282 Ай бұрын

@@davidruffin473skill issue

@Shmancyfancy536 Ай бұрын

Insulated glass and greed ruined the world sadly.

@colettemoolman4410 Ай бұрын

Walking Tour is my favorite series on this channel.

@mistyreed4558 Ай бұрын

Same! The celebrity homes are just grotesque - if you want movie stars, just watch Bravo or something. Nick Potts is so smart and he is such a great teacher. Love it.

@irakozefleury8439 Ай бұрын

@user-yy9hk9od9u 28 күн бұрын

The Highline is so successful that more should be built. This is the future of urban design even though it was a repurposed train line.

@manm2003 Ай бұрын

MORE WALKING TOURS WITH Nick plz!!

@savannahcook7246 27 күн бұрын

I LOVE THE HIGHLINE!!! It’s my fav thing to do in NYC! I love wandering through Chelsea market to see what the local vendors have, grabbing a gelato, snagging some Artichoke Basille’s pizza, and walking down the highline to Hudson yards and Little Island! They really did such a great job with this one!

@cyserrano Ай бұрын

Love the high line so much! Great video. Thanks for sharing this history!

@icouldgoforaslice Ай бұрын

How could you give an entire tour of the high line and never once mention the landscape architect James Corner who designed it??

@garhance 29 күн бұрын

I read an article about him: Not at all pleased with how it panned out. He hoped for a revitalization of the neighborhood for ordinary NYers, but instead we have a tourist attraction, lovely, to be sure, in the midst of super deluxe development. That’s the only sort of development that happens in NYC.

@aercolino1 25 күн бұрын

Was looking for this comment!! AD should call it what it is- this is landscape architecture

@Spud_E_Buddy Ай бұрын

6:30 Do people often walk backwards in New York, or did they play that clip in reverse? 😂

@Pilipo850 Ай бұрын

The Highline was the highlight of my visit to NYC last year… really loved it

@steini6771 Ай бұрын

This was just Fab! Thanks for sharing.

@Hellanissan7 20 күн бұрын

We visited last summer for July 4th. It was amazing. My wife and little one loved the park.

@CrazyPufferfish Ай бұрын

The highline is beautiful! Was there 3 weeks ago!

@yepyepyepyep4602 Ай бұрын

mmm no mention of Piet Oudolf, the landscape architect of the Highline itself..

@2_thumbs_up_baby Ай бұрын

This was enjoyable. Thankyou

@user-di8eg6ql1o Ай бұрын

The testament is to Piet Oudolf who has a team working the highline, you know this so why not give him credit where credit is due.

@peter1234930 Ай бұрын

Another great video

@alexanderwolf5134 Ай бұрын

There are just not enough walking tour eps. I love them

@NathanHarrison7 Ай бұрын

Great video. Thank you.

@RoboticDragon 26 күн бұрын

Fascinating. Thanks for this.

@henessy.-.45 Ай бұрын

I LOVE seeing the historical pics and videos

@d.wall98 Ай бұрын

My favorite series!

@sydneygerman4151 Ай бұрын

this was extremely insightul, thank you! i was at the whitney a few months ago and it stands as my favorite museum in NYC. would def reccomend going there and walking at least some of the highline! im hoping more abandoned rail corridors in this country will either be reestablished or transformed like the highline! the benefits are unparalleled

@christinecamley Ай бұрын

Gorgeous! Perfection!!

@Vmgs94 Ай бұрын

Definitely on my list of places to visit when in NYC!

@lofishqueentero Ай бұрын

What a great video! Love NYC!

@ayysweetstea9339 Ай бұрын

Interesting walking Tour!!! 🎉

@Clarissey 26 күн бұрын

The way I met the “Mayor of Meatpacking” yesterday at the Whitney Museum after I complemented his nice bright red hat and I had no idea he was one of the reasons for saving the district. Then this YT video gets recommended to me… hpmh, lots of fun being in NYC. ☺️

@mikeohawk95 25 күн бұрын

Visted that garden many times in my life growing up in queens and still a marvel to this day

@mikeohawk95 25 күн бұрын

Well during my teen years when was first opened to public sicne 09

@LaValeriana_ 20 күн бұрын

Missing these episodes! The walking tours are some of the best as well as the blue prints and hidden gems. The tours are super fun because it’s such a delight to see each architect talk with such passion about what we’re seeing. Too many open door episodes lately to be honest.

@abelincoln4374 21 күн бұрын

Just spent the week on manhattan and had the chance to walk it. Truly beautiful and unique. Lots of natural shade and the landscaping is beautiful.

@BrandonDoyleMN Ай бұрын

Very interesting!

@AndrewCrazyhero Ай бұрын

I’ve been surprised with this park. Amazing place

@LSTEdD1 Ай бұрын

Wonderful tour! Speaking of the Whitney I will be touring Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s studio next Friday. As a former Breakers (Newport) guide I can’t wait! 😊☀️

@yourmajesty3569 25 күн бұрын

I would have liked to see more of the actual high line.

@sophia_c626 Ай бұрын

I love the high line! The architecture is so beautiful and even though it’s crowded it’s always nicer than the street. I always recommend it to people when they’re visiting nyc. It was funny because 2 years ago my mom came to nyc for the first time since living there in the mid-90s/early 2000s and she was in shock at how developed the west side was, she kept saying i would’ve never come over here when i was living here 😂.

@travelchoice89 Ай бұрын

🚶‍♂🌳 Wow, what an incredible transformation! NYC's most dangerous street turned into a vibrant public park is truly inspiring! 🌆✨ Loved seeing the architectural and urban design elements come together to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

@JenShea Ай бұрын

Love the high line!

@Searchingtheworld7183 Ай бұрын

This marvelous city park design is exactly what New York needs.

@Jaybushy98 Ай бұрын

i love NYC history so much. we live in such an amazing city. Tourism is said to be one of the tops 3 industries in NYC*

@Shmancyfancy536 Ай бұрын

Should have pointed out the Fitzroy. Amazing to see something like that built today.

@edwardduarte7393 Ай бұрын

I was there when it first opened. Ed Norton was talking about it on Charlie Rose and I was walking around the meat packing and then like oh the highline is open!

@sababylon 2 күн бұрын

The Whitney looks like a factory. I like it!

@attention_shopping Ай бұрын

okay awesome!

@savannahcook7246 27 күн бұрын

Also the bathrooms in Chelsea market are so nice and beautiful haha

@learnenglishwithdayamudra704 Ай бұрын

So well done. Thank you.

@erikadowdy2382 Ай бұрын

Interesting 😊

@user-zt5xz5fz4q Ай бұрын

I ❤ NY. Too.

@FouadAlkisswani Ай бұрын

What a fascinating point - such unique private residences wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for such a public space. A rare circumstance where you have a public’s love of the rich and rare coincide with an architect’s need to be recognized and memorialized and the rich, I guess appreciated :)

@seaweeded Ай бұрын

An entire video about the high line yet Diller Scofidio and Renfro was even mentioned once.

@angelaortiz3406 Ай бұрын

I would love to see what it looks like inside beautiful

@ryanrodriguez1234 Ай бұрын

Accidentally stumbled upon this gem one time. Such a gem, had no idea it was here.

@FanDutch Ай бұрын

Highline Park by Piet Oudolf!!

@WuBadger-s9s Ай бұрын

Should have mentioned that the High Line was designed by the landscape architecture firm Field Operations, while naming all the architects and amazing developments along it.

@luukjoling1 Ай бұрын

There is no reason in making a video about the Highline without mentioning Piet Oudolf, the garden designer. 😊

@stevenjlovelace Ай бұрын

Who designed the "bubble window" building at 8:52? I've seen that in person and it's quite striking. I don't know if I like it or not, but it certainly stands out!

@Jason-vw1fv Ай бұрын

Hadid

@claudiagorich2764 Ай бұрын

Lantern House by Heatherwick who also did the Vessel and Little Island Park

@youknowwithMartyKauffman Ай бұрын

Great video

@josiahclagett7369 Ай бұрын

235 people died in NYC due to cars in 2023. If trains were too dangerous to mix with pedestrians, streets and cars should be re-evaluated too.

@nich2475 Ай бұрын

Agreed!

@Ethyl.breaks Ай бұрын

Wonder how many people were in the city in the 1800s compared to now

@watcherManu 28 күн бұрын

Idk, maybe you know the channel already, But NotJustBikes hss great Videos how to make a city safer. I can highly recommend his channel ❤❤❤

@josiahclagett7369 28 күн бұрын

@@watcherManu I love Not Just Bikes. That channel completely changed my thinking on infrastructure in the US ❤️

@beatapfizer3601 19 күн бұрын

You have to take into account the amount of people that lives in NYC now compared to the 1800’s

@BradThePitts Ай бұрын

Can we get a shout out to actor *Ed Norton* and his involvement with "Friends of the High Line"?

@mathildeg6759 Ай бұрын

The highline is one of the places i felt the most calm in nyc

@adeleg4759 Ай бұрын

The high line was inspired by the coulée verte in Paris' 12th arrondissement. A lot more interations withe the buildings around and a lot less gentrification. Benefits of a smaller scale !

@jenl2530 Ай бұрын

No, no it was not. That is quite a different space.

@adeleg4759 Ай бұрын

@@jenl2530 dude it's on wikipedia and in interviews of piet oudolf... So yes it is

@drdrewood Ай бұрын

How do you not mention Diller Scofidio and Renfro once?

@VictorRochaGaming Ай бұрын

And after you're done walking The Highline, you can head over to The Milk Bar or Chelsea Market for a nice snack.

@IAmBlothhundr 13 күн бұрын

This yells Solarpunk and Frutiger Aero 🍃🌎💧🌱

@MrMountainchris Ай бұрын

They should build 'high lines' all over the city. They could connect all the parks and keep the streets for cars a d biking traffic.

@yourpalharvey Ай бұрын

One failed office building after another. What’s the occupancy rate of those office buildings? The total absence of anything welcoming to anyone seems to be the goal of 21st century Manhattan

@nicktw8688 Ай бұрын

No one can afford to live there.

@lordtherapeutics Ай бұрын

I adore the Highline but not so much the modern architecture springing up around.

@nunyabidness3075 Ай бұрын

Funny how the same people who hate plastic and demand recycling everything think leaving the iron train tracks there to rust is aesthetically pleasant. You’d think it would make them uncomfortable. It makes me uncomfortable.

@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher88 Ай бұрын

Some here describe the High Line as a beautiful oasis in the city, and while it's certainly a charming park built on a derelict industrial rail line. It unfortunately has lost a lot of the charm of what it once was. Even the early version of the High Line before it was fully finished to Hudson Yards was a much more enjoyable space to what it is now, as it's flanked by the soulless luxury condos and residences that have invaded every square inch of the city. No words can describe just how amazing the High Line was before it was "discovered" back when it was just an abandoned elevated track full of unmanicured vegetation. To describe it, it was like just floating above the city in your own private forest, with no one being able to see you. Of course, that was nearly 20yrs ago. Unfortunately much of the spirit of the city has been lost since that time. It really just feels like a playground for the rich these days.

@mjay4700 Ай бұрын

I see too much shiny metal, glass, modern straight square lines and overbearing monolithic concrete.

@AbimaelLopez-hz3qq Ай бұрын

Famous architects designed those

@lyssasletters3232 Ай бұрын

@@AbimaelLopez-hz3qqunfortunately architecture is a rather insular career. Famous amongst themselves 🙃

@Shmancyfancy536 Ай бұрын

@@lyssasletters3232 They’re egotists

@davidcattin7006 Ай бұрын

Fond memories of the District before it got cleaned up ;o)

@sandal_thong8631 22 күн бұрын

It seems messed up that buildings don't connect to the Highline.

@jamescartier8728 Ай бұрын

Love the highline, but if you get hit by a massive, slow train, you've kind of earned your ticket to the pearly gates.

@jenl2530 Ай бұрын

Now they are called SUVs.

@jamescartier8728 Ай бұрын

@@jenl2530 You won't catch me arguing with that 😂

@liduck52 14 күн бұрын

I was there last month. I was one of the few people speaking English.

@secpac58chichi 7 күн бұрын

韋阿雷奇內塞安德威爾入了尤爾康特里松

@3countylaugh Ай бұрын

Seattle had the chance to do the same, saw the High line and said naw let's demo ours and pretend to connect the Market to the Sound but not really.😢

@LouisChang-le7xo Ай бұрын

to be fair they found problems with the structure and it would collapse in an earthquake

@user-yi9md7gq4c 7 күн бұрын

💖

@wendysolem2372 Ай бұрын

I live very close by and the Highline was truly wonderful until they covered it with all those condos. Now, it is simply an elevated sidewalk totally ruined. I live a block away and avoid it, such a shame that something unique was destroyed by architecture

@aprilcappeluti8325 18 күн бұрын

This reminds me of the children’s book by Peter Brown “The Garden”. It is a fabulous book, about one boy who brings a city back to life.

@mountainair Ай бұрын

Why film this in late winter?

@MikeHarris1984 Ай бұрын

Just kept saying the same thing over and over here. This exists because of this walkway. It wouldnt be here without it.

@JoshCork Ай бұрын

Lantern House has direct access to the high lines although I’m not sure how often it’s used.

@kdm_entertainment Ай бұрын

Do new yorkers use the highline or is it only a tourist thing?

@melissamorgenweck8226 Ай бұрын

Yes, we do use it.

@127cherryblossom Ай бұрын

We do but it was something very different to us when it first opened vs what it is now

@Tchild2 Ай бұрын

Whenever I go to New York, the only places I will stay are those closest to the High Line. Best part of NYC, IMO.

@pn10000 Ай бұрын

Architecture will save the world

@Shmancyfancy536 Ай бұрын

A better built enviorment will make people want to leave the house more thats for sure.

@jamespearson3345 19 күн бұрын

Can you cycle the High Line?

@liduck52 14 күн бұрын

No.

@secpac58chichi 7 күн бұрын

YOU CAN - AND IF ANYONE GIVES YOU A PROBLEM TELL THEM TO F OFF - SIGNED AND ILLEGAL ALIEN

@matheusperelmutter Ай бұрын

Although the high line is an aestheticaly beautiful project and very succesful marketing move, as a public space it is as dull as it can be. There's almost no space for spontaneity, many restricted uses and is almost only used as a catwalk for tourists to take pictures for social media. It is definitely not what public spaces should be for.

@garhance 29 күн бұрын

Not the designer’s vision. But with the deluxe development and the marketing of NYC, it’s become a mega tourist attraction. He had hoped it would be a lovely neighborhood park!

@slothsarecool Ай бұрын

I wish cities did stuff like this on purpose, something similar in London would be cool, or Vancouver, it’s super bland downtown

@stingraytor Ай бұрын

The high line is one of the designer’s biggest regrets because of the gentrification it has caused

@Shmancyfancy536 Ай бұрын

Everything will cause gentrification eventually we have to get over that

@jenl2530 Ай бұрын

A lot of character was lost. Definitely regretful.

@garhance 29 күн бұрын

Yes, it did not pan out as he had hoped!

@tjnholmes 12 күн бұрын

Cool video. Whitney criticism was weird and didn't seem to fit within the vid.

@joestrike8537 Ай бұрын

Wow, what a suck-up to the ultra-rich (be sure to buy some Van Cleef & Arpels luxury marbles!) and their (mostly ugly, show-off, "hey look at me!") buildings. Just like Soho, the former meat packing district is now a warren of ultra-expensive boutiques that 99% of the Highline visitors couldn't afford to walk through their door...and barely a syllable about the park itself either, or the Federal program that encouraged localities to repurpose unused rail lines into public parks.

@CrimsonAlchemist 28 күн бұрын

USA making a big deal about this while it's been done in Asia for a while.

@richardg4764 Ай бұрын

What’s below the highline, homeless people encampments?

@kalerbole744 Ай бұрын

@3markaw 5 күн бұрын

Why don't you go see for yourself.

@wowJhil 7 күн бұрын

I visited highline when Hudson yard was under development there, but I gotta say, it's really not interesting at all. Sure, you have an "oasis" on that line, but for me it just feels like normal greenery. And the environment around it is just not interesting, the modern buildings feel cold and uninterested at least for a normal guy not into modern architecture. And many sides of this line doesn't have anything else of interest to look at. Then the fact that it's not connected well with other things, you basically are just walking on it to watch skyscrapers etc.

@secpac58chichi 7 күн бұрын

I HEAR THE CHINESE TOURISTS LIKE IT

@wowJhil 6 күн бұрын

@@secpac58chichi I have a feeling that this is the same as so many other tourist spots, it's just another thing to mark of the check list. There Chinese are not alone, but they are surely often some of them liking to fill that check list.

@MineshShah Ай бұрын

Its effectively the early twentieth century version of the 1990's Bilbau Guggenheim... It the way it has regenerated an area with post industial decline and driven up tourism. Just like after Gehrys Guggenheim was bulit, every city wanted their version of it... and now every city wants their version of a Highline...Thats the damage of sucessful urban developments: they sporn inferior copies everywhere!

@AGreenerApple3 Ай бұрын

15 BILLION not million for Hudson yards

@curtisCclarke Ай бұрын

@AGreenerApple3: At 7:19 - 7:24 the host, & known architect Nick Potts said, "over my shoulder is Hudson Yards. It is a 15 million square foot development at the northern end of the Highline". He did not say 15 million dollars for the Hudson Yards' development. 😂🤣