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

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 KZbin? ►► 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.

[@bryancash9051]

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]

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

[@johnmcmahon5225]

Someone else who was a part of the history of the Highline was Master Builder Robert Moses who actually built the rail trestle the park was created on. He's not mentioned there either.

[@yippeehaha24-y1y]

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]

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]

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]

Agree. It was sensational before Hudson Yards opened.

[@hanaskrovanek]

@@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.

[@Gregemio]

Ive never been to NY, but as I understand it - tourists take over everything, which is. the. price. you. pay. for. living. in. the. worlds. most. famous. city.... now that being said, if I ever visit NY the first thing I will do, is walking into traffic - get beeped at - then shout HEY COME ON!!!! IM WALKING HERE!!!!!! High line is like not even on my priority list.

[@colettemoolman4410]

Walking Tour is my favorite series on this channel.

[@mistyreed4558]

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]

[@sinalyroy8051]

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]

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

[@pobinr]

I like the way you present your videos. Not over produced with wam bam editing. And no intrusive background ground music

[@savannahcook7246]

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!

[@Clarissey]

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. ☺️

[@manm2003]

MORE WALKING TOURS WITH Nick plz!!

[@c11scottlewis]

I LOVE the walking tour playlist. More videos like this please!!!!

[@PiratesOnlineFan100]

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]

Very thoughtful summation!

[@erics3457]

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]

Speak English bro

[@chrisarcher282]

@@davidruffin473skill issue

[@Shmancyfancy536]

Insulated glass and greed ruined the world sadly.

[@cyserrano]

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

[@icouldgoforaslice]

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

[@garhance]

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]

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

[@LaValeriana_]

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.

[@Pilipo850]

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

[@Hellanissan7]

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

[@udishomer5852]

A small correction: Its not "8 million visitors a year", its "8 million visits". Most people will be regular visitors. I guess the actual number of unique visitors is less than one million.

[@josiahclagett7369]

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]

Agreed!

[@watcherManu]

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]

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

[@beatapfizer3601]

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

[@watcherManu]

@@beatapfizer3601 does that change anything?

[@yourmajesty3569]

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

[@CrazyPufferfish]

The highline is beautiful! Was there 3 weeks ago!

[@flourishwithzel]

One of the reasons why I wanna go to NYC is the High Line.

[@Spud_E_Buddy]

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

[@magicknight13]

Brilliant example of adaptive reuse! And the video rocks too 😄 love the walking tour, handled seamlessly! Great job

[@alexanderwolf5134]

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

[@Searchingtheworld7183]

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

[@mikeohawk95]

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

[@mikeohawk95]

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

[@DanH-u3f]

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.

[@BrysonConroy]

No. while i agree the high line was a great reformation and an amazing application, this is so popular because of its singularity. If there was more and more seperate "high lines" they would quickly loose that commodity, redevelopment wouldnt follow, or atleast not because of the high line. It causes a massive decrease in sunlight to the lower streets. I believe an extension of the highline would be beneficial, but the amount of buildings needed to destroy that would offset it. I dont think that putting pedestrians above the street grid so they cant interact with local shops and business should be normalized.

[@AnymMusic]

(or a repurposed street?)

[@jasongray4517]

This is clearly what inspired Manchester to do the same in Castlefield.

[@LouiseFisher-p8y]

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.

[@Acehitman369]

I went to New York City last year. Seeing the highline was pretty cool

[@samushunter0048]

So glad I found this channel, and so mad I didn't find it sooner lol

[@sophia_c626]

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 😂.

[@mho...]

gives the therm "high garden" a whole new meaning

[@sydneygerman4151]

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

[@ryanjohnson8960]

One of my favorite parks in the city while visiting

[@travelchoice89]

🚶‍♂🌳 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.

[@Jaybushy98]

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*

[@Pk1998AMG]

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.

[@steini6771]

This was just Fab! Thanks for sharing.

[@ayysweetstea9339]

Interesting walking Tour!!! 🎉

[@Vmgs94]

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

[@d.wall98]

My favorite series!

[@paint_lab]

The Whitney looks like a factory. I like it!

[@ersp1]

As photographed, the building shown at 4:04 looks like a mid-century telco central office in a city without zoning.

[@RoboticDragon]

Fascinating. Thanks for this.

[@magicknight13]

I love the Vessel!

[@yepyepyepyep4602]

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

[@09mtcamp]

Yes thought that was crazy

[@bigcomputerhuehue-qw9th]

If they closed streets for cars due do traffic accidents ... a dream.

[@savannahcook7246]

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

[@henessy.-.45]

I LOVE seeing the historical pics and videos

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

This was enjoyable. Thankyou

[@luukjoling1]

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

[@busikikukusiki]

it seems like, but i liked it!)

[@Shmancyfancy536]

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

[@natalieeis9284]

The idea to convert industrial halls into Chelsea market was inspired by the industrial Ruhr region in western Germany and East London

[@christinecamley]

Gorgeous! Perfection!!

[@WuBadger-s9s]

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.

[@peter1234930]

Another great video

[@rotatorcuffs8140]

That's pretty impressive that they managed to build elevated tracks way back when. And strong enough to support the weight of freight rail trains

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

I ❤ NY. Too.

[@edwardduarte7393]

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!

[@mathildeg6759]

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

[@lofishqueentero]

What a great video! Love NYC!

[@IAmBlothhundr]

This yells Solarpunk and Frutiger Aero 🍃🌎💧🌱

[@richardmeo2503]

I was FDNY 1980-2003, and spent much of my career in Manhattan. My first unit was E14 on 18th & Bway. The Highline area was always grungy and dirty, typical Industrial space. After so many years of poor dem regimes, thankfully NYC was blessed with Rudy Giuliani as mayor. His aggressive rules greatly reduced crime and the negative street scene that was ruining our city. His 8 years is what allowed the great revival of NY, which included the Highline area with all of the new and interesting buildings you explored.

[@LSTEdD1]

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! 😊☀️

[@NathanHarrison7]

Great video. Thank you.

[@eddiejaimess]

Now there’s a big pigeon 😂😂

[@ryanrodriguez1234]

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

[@JenShea]

Love the high line!

[@AndrewCrazyhero]

I’ve been surprised with this park. Amazing place

[@VictorRochaGaming]

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

[@FanDutch]

Highline Park by Piet Oudolf!!

[@stevenjlovelace]

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]

Hadid

[@claudiagorich2764]

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

[@seaweeded]

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

[@dennisd3]

The High Line was not built by the City it was built by the New York Central Railroad. They had the only direct freight line into NYC. The other railroads had to bring in freight cars by barge. They also built Grand Central Terminal.

[@lordtherapeutics]

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

[@BrandonDoyleMN]

Very interesting!

[@BradThePitts]

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

[@nunyabidness3075]

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.

[@learnenglishwithdayamudra704]

So well done. Thank you.

[@attention_shopping]

okay awesome!

[@MrMountainchris]

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.

[@rechelieu]

Every time I am in NY, I go there. Every time. I sell this place like nothing else in NYC. It's amazing. Central Park, what? Nah, go and see the Highline Park.

[@Ruzzky_Bly4t]

Wow, that's some weird enthusiasm. When I visited NYC, central park felt like the pinnacle of humanity. An enormous, beautiful park surrounded by tall skyscrapers that look like they're way out in the distance, with people enjoying their time there. The Highline was very crowded and you walked at a snails pace. It's basically just an elevated pedestrian bridge with some grass and trees.

[@rechelieu]

@@Ruzzky_Bly4t Don't get me wrong. Central Park is pretty awesome. But there are only two rail parks in the world, one in Paris and one in NYC. Plus, Highlight Park is not only about the park itself. The surrounding area is very hot at the moment, and you can see magnificent architecture around it. It also helps that I enjoy anything railroad related. I like the surrounding vibes.

[@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher88]

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.

[@erikadowdy2382]

Interesting 😊

[@drdrewood]

How do you not mention Diller Scofidio and Renfro once?

[@stingraytor]

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

[@Shmancyfancy536]

Everything will cause gentrification eventually we have to get over that

[@jenl2530]

A lot of character was lost. Definitely regretful.

[@garhance]

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

[@sandal_thong]

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

[@yourpalharvey]

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]

No one can afford to live there.

[@kdm_entertainment]

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

[@melissamorgenweck8226]

Yes, we do use it.

[@127cherryblossom]

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

[@wowJhil]

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]

I HEAR THE CHINESE TOURISTS LIKE IT

[@wowJhil]

@@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.

[@MikeHarris1984]

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

[@JUANIGNAC10]

The highline itself was nice, with Piet Oudolf as the garden designer, but the buildings surrounding and the rest... SO TACKY.

[@pn10000]

Architecture will save the world

[@Shmancyfancy536]

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

[@angelaortiz3406]

I would love to see what it looks like inside beautiful

[@matheusperelmutter]

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]

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!

[@wendysolem2372]

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

[@adeleg4759]

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]

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

[@adeleg4759]

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

[@youknowwithMartyKauffman]

Great video

[@davidcattin7006]

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

[@3countylaugh]

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]

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