Rendering of rooftop at 511 West 27th Street and view of galleries with the Zaha Hadid-designed 520 West 28th Street (Future Green Studio / Related Companies)
With all the noise, scaffolding, and shadows new construction brings, walking parts of the High Line can feel downright unpleasant and claustrophobic at times, rather than the wild breath of fresh air we experienced when it first opened in 2009. Related Companies has reaped some the biggest financial rewards from the ‘renaissance’ spurred by greenway. New developments such as Hudson Yards, the Zaha Hadid-designed 520 West 28th Street, and a forthcoming pair of condos at 501 West 18th Street designed by Heatherwick Studio has added much visual interest but has resulted in the crowding out of much sun and sky. Now, to enhance the cultural offerings of West Chelsea, to preserve views from their newly-finished condo at 520 West 28th Street, and to help avoid the feeling of meandering down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, Related is erecting several low-slung gallery spaces around and under the High Line between West 27th and 28th Street.
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Site Plan (Future Green Studio)
Directly west of the park at 511 West 27th Street, Related is building a new single-floor building to be occupied by the Paul Kasmin Gallery. It will be topped by an outdoor sculpture garden designed by Future Green Studio in collaboration with DeSimone Consulting Engineers and Studio MDA. The Red Hook-based firm has planted eco-minded enrichments on upscale buildings such as 41 Bond, 345 Meatpacking, and Riverwalk Point. Here, they intend to create a roof garden that “serves as a verdant extension to the elevated park and showcases outdoor artworks in a rich seasonal tapestry.”
The planting design is organized to frame views into the garden and highlight artworks beyond. -Future Green Studio
According to Future Green’s page on the project, there will be a rolling, lush meadow punctuated by 28 skylights. “The undulating form at the surface provides soil depth for trees and shrubs, while the skylights provide natural daylight into the art space below as well as evening illumination,” says the firm. Native species such as aspen trees, pine shrubs, lowbush blueberry and meadow flowers are selected to create a dynamic seasonal setting, year-round. With structural loads and drainage of foremost concern, the team worked with engineers to specify a unique waffle slab design to accommodate deep soil profiles and allow the skylights to be inserted throughout.
Construction is aimed for completion in fall 2018. It does not appear the roof will be adapted for walking, nor will it be accessible from the High Line. Rather, it will visually provide a lightly-programmed space offering much-needed light, air, and greenery (in chronic short supply in Manhattan) to the millions of visitors that traverse the park each year. Aside from the Kasmin Gallery, Related is also building a string of gallery spaces below the High Line dubbed High Line Nine and several more inside 520 West 28th Street.
New Paul Kasmin Gallery (Related Companies)
520 West 28th Street, High Line Nine and rooftop of Paul Kasmin Gallery
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New Developments Editor
Ondel Hylton
Ondel is a lifelong New Yorker and comprehensive assessor of the city's dynamic urban landscape.
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