Video & Project of the Week for October 5, 2015: High Line

Greenroofs.com Project of the Week: 10/05/15

High Line: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3
New York, NY, USA
~300,313 sq. ft. Greenroof

Phase 1; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Project Description & Details

An ambitious and highly acclaimed urban reclamation project created in three phases over a period of eight years, the award-winning High Line is noted for its innovative design and sustainability. Located in New York City’s Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, the length of the High Line traverses 23 uninterrupted city blocks, 30 feet in the air, with expansive views of New York City and the Hudson River. At a total of 1.45 miles the High Line is considered the “longest greenroof” in the world to date.

The former abandoned elevated railway was championed by the non-profit group “Friends of the High Line” and designed by the landscape architecture firm of James Corner Field Operations and architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro with planting design from Piet Oudolf and engineering design by Buro Happold. ZinCo USA provided the technical basis for all the green roof design concepts in terms of plants, walkways, and leisure areas with Floradrain® drainage elements and ZinCoblend M growing medium.

Phase 1; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Phase 1; Photo Courtesy of and ©ZinCo.

Phase 1 was completed in 2009 and starts at the Gansevoort Stair. Features include the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Overlook passing through the Gansevoort Woodland; Diller-von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature; Chelsea Market Passage; Northern Spur Reserve; 10th Avenue Square and Overlook; Plaza and Woodland; Washington Grasslands; 14th Street Passage; and the Chelsea Grasslands.

Phase 2; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Phase 2; Photo Courtesy of and ©ZinCo.

Phase 2 was completed in 2011 and features include the Chelsea Thicket; Wildflower Field; 23rd Street Lawn; Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover; and the 26th Street Viewing Spur.

Phase 3; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Phase 3; Photo Courtesy of and ©ZinCo.

Completed in 2014, Phase 3 picks up around the far west side of the Hudson Yards to West 34th Street across from the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Features include the Pershing Square Beams; Interim Walkway; and the CSX Transportation Gate.

Phase 2; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

One of the most expensive parks ever constructed, the High Line is also one of Manhattan’s most popular destinations and receives 5 million visitors per year. From an overgrown abandoned railroad trestle to a delightful changing panorama of self-seeded landscape and re-introduced indigenous vegetation, original and restored rails, and contemporary artwork to a wide variety of places for relaxation and enjoyment, the iconic High Line is dearly loved as a remarkable landscaped city park in the air.

Phase 1; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Find more photos and additional information on each profile in The International Greenroof & Greenwall Projects Database: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.

Phase 1; Photo Courtesy of and ©Steven L. Cantor, Landscape Architect, New York City.

Year: 2009, 2011 and 2014
Owner: City of New York
Location: New York, NY, USA
Building Type: Park
Type: Intensive
System: Custom
Size: ~300,313 sq. ft
Slope: 1%
Access: Accessible, Open to Public

Designers/Manufacturers of Record:

Landscape Architect: James Corner Field Operations
Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Planting Design: Piet Oudolf
Engineering: Buro Happold
Greenroof System: ZinCo USA
Greenroof Installation: Kelco Landscaping
General Contractor: KiSKA Construction
Construction Management: SiteWorks Landscape & Lend Lease