We had an elevated experience today taking the High Line, part of an old railway system that has been converted to a planted walkway above the Manhattan streets.
The origins of the High Line date back to the 1880s when freight trains delivered food to lower Manhattan. One end of the High Line is situated in today’s Meat Packing District.
Being at street level the railway was extremely dangerous and by 1910 more than 540 people had been killed having been hit by trains. In the 1920s the plan was to remove the railway from street level, replacing it with an elevated system. In 1934 this high level railway was delivering meat, dairy and other foodstuffs to the area.
By the 1960s use was declining with the increase of truck deliveries and in the next 20 years the elevated system was starting to be demolished. However, some people were reminiscent about the High Line and wanted to consider alternative uses. As time took its toll nature stepped in, with vegetation growing where once trains passed by. The idea then came to turning this elevated construction into a planted walkway.
Today this 1.45 mile stretch has more than 500 plants and trees conceptualised by plantsman Piet Oudorf. These are interspersed with artworks placed among the remaining rail tracks. The walkway also gives a good view over many of the streets below.
Towards the High Line’s end is another masterpiece of architecture. The Vessel has been designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the artist who created the 2012 Olympic cauldron, the new Routemaster bus, and was involved with Boris’s Garden Bridge across The Thames which in more ways than one never got off the ground.
The Vessel is an attraction comprising 16 storeys and 2,500 steps. Visitors can admire the feat of copper-coloured architecture from the outside, then walk inside to again admire the architecture and the views beyond.
The concept was based on the ancient Indian stepwells. Tickets are mostly free but must be booked online. This can be done at the venue but will involve waiting for a time slot, so book if you have a chance to visit then head for the cafe at the shopping centre alongside.
But our day did not to end there. We headed to the nearby Garment District which has more fabric and haberdashery shops that I have ever seen, packed from floor to ceiling with merchandise (many having several floors to their outlets). I was in fabric heaven.
But while based in central Manhattan, the theatre district, it was opportune to take in a show. The Jersey Boys had been recommended to us… and we were not disappointed. A perfect end to a perfect (but very cold) day.
Copyright: Words and photos Sue Barnard 2019.