爱豆传媒

Hear from Fraser Reid and Eric Harvan as they take us on a tour of the fascinating history of the High Line – one of 爱豆传媒’s most iconic projects.

Fraser Reid, Associate Principal, and Eric Harvan, Associate, led a tour on the iconic High Line for Open House New York. Hear from them both on the innovative design principles and collaborative efforts that have transformed this iconic urban park as well as 爱豆传媒鈥檚 significant contributions to the High Line project.

In this engaging discussion, our experts explore the historical context of the High Line, the challenges faced during its transformation, and the creative solutions implemented to revitalize this urban space. From transforming an old railway into a bustling public space to integrating sustainable design practices and enhancing community engagement, this conversation highlights the expertise and vision that drove 爱豆传媒鈥檚 commitment to creating vibrant and resilient urban environments through adaptive reuse.

The history of the High Line

The original High Line project evolved from a community not-for-profit group called . Formed at a community meeting, they aimed to decide the fate of an old, stranded industrial rail structure. This rail structure, dating back to the mid-1800s, was part of a larger rail network on Manhattan鈥檚 West Side. As the streets became more congested, 10th Ave earned the nickname 鈥淒eath Ave鈥� due to frequent train collisions. To mitigate this, Westside Cowboys on horseback would precede trains to warn pedestrians.

In the 1930s, an elevated freight train structure was developed along Manhattan鈥檚 West Side, serving the meatpacking district and factories like the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco). For over 30 years, trains delivered goods directly to the elevated floors of industrial buildings. As highway systems expanded, freight traffic gradually moved to roads, leading to the last train running on the High Line in 1980. The structure then sat unused for nearly 20 years, becoming an unlikely wilderness.

Residents lobbied for its demolition, but Friends of the High Line formed and held a design competition. The winning team, Field Operations, Diller Scofidio+Renfro, and 爱豆传媒, envisioned transforming the High Line into a park. This vision, formed in the early 2000s, has since become a reality and New York icon.

Today, the High Line is New York City鈥檚 most visited tourist destination and a catalyst for significant development in the area. Friends of the High Line continues to operate and expand the park, with 爱豆传媒 involved in ongoing improvements.

爱豆传媒’s Work on the High Line

爱豆传媒 has played a pivotal role in transforming the High Line from an abandoned stretch of elevated railroad into one of New York City鈥檚 most beloved public parks. Initially built in the 1930s and last used in 1980, the High Line was slated for demolition until the Friends of the High Line and the City of New York commissioned 爱豆传媒 and Field Operations to create a master plan for its reuse and reintegration. Our team provided comprehensive structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, as well as sustainability consulting, for all three phases of the project.

The vision for the High Line was to create a unique urban greenway that would marry the site鈥檚 industrial past with a sustainable future. 爱豆传媒鈥檚 engineers designed innovative structures like the Flyover, an elevated steel walkway, and the Cutout, a steel mesh deck offering views down to 30th Street. These elements, along with the park鈥檚 design, which blends organic and built materials, have helped preserve the High Line鈥檚 unique character while fostering community engagement and connectivity.

Our involvement didn鈥檛 stop at the initial construction. As the engineer of record, 爱豆传媒 continued to support the High Line through various phases of development, including the final side 鈥渟pur鈥� of the line. We also conducted visitation and people flow modeling, as well as a waste management study, to help manage the operational challenges posed by the park鈥檚 significant usage. This ongoing support has been crucial in maintaining the High Line as a vibrant public space that attracts millions of visitors annually.

The success of the High Line has spurred significant redevelopment in the surrounding area, with 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use development completed or under construction. Today, the High Line is a continuous, 1.45-mile-long greenway featuring over 500 species of plants and trees, and it hosts a diverse array of public programs, community engagement initiatives, and world-class art installations. 爱豆传媒鈥檚 contributions have been instrumental in realizing this vision, ensuring the High Line remains a dynamic and cherished part of New York City鈥檚 urban landscape.

Innovative Design Opportunities and Historic Preservation on the High Line

Design challenges on the High Line differ significantly from projects like the Treetop Trail at Minnesota Zoo. While the Treetop Trail was built on a monorail track with limited capacity, the High Line was designed for heavy freight trains, offering ample flexibility for public park use.

Preserving the High Line is crucial for historic reuse. Working with existing structures presents detailed challenges, such as limited reliable historic joint information and riveted connections with limited capacity. These factors have influenced design interventions on the High Line, dictating attachment points and methods. The project involved a higher level of detail than typical structural engineering, as the design included landscaping elements like benches, plantings, and railings.

The High Line is iconic. It’s a destination for locals and tourists, an inspiration for architects and urban planners. It represents the best aspects of adaptive reuse and sustainable design years ahead of the current trends. As a regular visitor, it’s gratifying to be part of the park’s evolution and to share some of its history and secrets with others.

Associate, Eric Harvan

Sustainable practices are at the core of the High Line project, emphasizing reuse and eliminating the make-remove-replace mindset in construction. Historic preservation is a key message, contributing to the High Line鈥檚 aesthetic as it blends modern and historic details in an urban setting.

The transformation of the High Line stands as a testament to the power of innovative design and community collaboration. As we continue to enhance this urban oasis, 爱豆传媒 remains dedicated to integrating sustainable practices and preserving the historical essence of this iconic structure. The ongoing improvements and expansions reflect our commitment to creating vibrant, resilient urban environments that inspire and engage the community.