New York City's Little Island

Replacing a derelict pier on the Hudson River, Little Island is a new public space and performance venue constructed on top of concrete pilings shaped like tulips. Correspondent Martha Teichner talks with billionaire Barry Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg, about their $260 million present to New York City.
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[@tomkelly6833]

This couple should be applauded for their contribution to developing an oasis that is inspiring and therapeutic to the soul. Thank you.

[@alternativearchival5379]

they just made a billionaire pr stunt. wake up. their billions are ours. they r looters.

[@tomkelly6833]

@@alternativearchival5379 Dear Troll, I hope you feel better now that you got that off your chest. You have put your immaturity on full display, you are unable to appreciate something beautiful that was created for the people to enjoy. It's called philanthropy. Oh by the way. I am very aware that billionaires have taken advantage of and trod upon the lives of the common people for their own personal gains, just open a history book.

[@lilymack4028]

IMO, every bit as important as "a hospital wing". (And I'm a psychiatric professional.)

[@TheRock-xl9rq]

Hello Lily, how are you doing?

[@billshea1366]

I was in Chelsea by the Hudson River and I found Little Island by an accident...and I LOVE it...

[@RadMad789]

Much better ego boost for the super rich than a trip to outer space.

[@wolflarson71]

At least it's wasting their money instead of taxpayer money. :-)

[@Roy-G-Biv]

Absolutely!

[@TheKayaklover]

@@wolflarson71 ... Please tell me why you consider it "wasting" money !!!

[@LaughterOnWater]

They've chosen to give back to NY, endowing it with included maintenance and repair... Paraphrasing billionaire S. R. Haddon from the movie _Contact,_ it's a way to thank the same people from whom they've taken so very much.

[@wolflarson71]

@@TheKayaklover 'Waste" is a bit subjective but if you object to spending billions on space travel that may have very little benefits compared, to say, poverty programs or infrastructure, then better billionaires do it.

[@user-ke4kz3in9j]

All the critics in comments who love telling others how to spend their money, while they themselves don’t contribute anything but negativity…you’re not dampening this beautiful story. No, not today.

[@FaithandNova]

Exactly the negative ones who never do anything to help others

[@isaipeasy9281]

the city and state still had to contribute 23 million dollars, idc about how the guy spends money but shouldn't people have a say about where their tax money is going

[@georgemaherjr2290]

A billionaire that gives back to the people? I dig it 👊

[@baandoptager]

Nahhh, Fk Barry!

[@tobehonest7541]

Good sheep ! Or billionaires can income tax proportionate to their earnings, like average people !

[@georgemaherjr2290]

To Be Honest Far from sheep.

[@FaithandNova]

@@tobehonest7541 regardless it's helping someone who needs a place to enjoy.

[@freshprinceoflondonss9008]

@@FaithandNova imagine investing that money into rundown areas and schools and hospitals, instead of some vanity project for some billionaire

[@lauren6509]

I love this. Public spaces bring people together from all walks of life. They've even pledged another 120 million to upkeep it long after they've died. They care for the people of NYC so I think this was a great route. These other billionaire clowns are for the streets honestly.

[@omfug7148]

Wonderful and a lasting asset to NYC that will live on long after Diller and von Furstenberg are gone. Especially appreciated now when we need a sense of community more than ever.

[@freshprinceoflondonss9008]

Naah it will turn into a drug taken haven in a couple of years after the novelty has worn off

[@hopejackson1319]

Because you are never fully dressed without a smile. And they didn't have to, but chose to leave some love in NYC. Thank you for this inspiration.

[@lorilal9931]

I love your comment.

[@FacheChanteDeux]

The performers broke my heart. This has been such a hard time for the arts.

[@sfcrmsa]

Well said.

[@pjdolont9012]

You've suffered so long...

[@burgundyspirit8632]

Same here. I can’t imagine how amazing it must have felt for them and the audience

[@eduardochavacano]

Drama is the real virus. Some people seek drama on even the brightest of things. Drama ruined the world.

[@dm4859]

A beautiful, generous gift to West Manhattan, well thought out and funded for the future. I probably will never see it but it still makes me happy.

[@SandyWolf-]

Ditto😁✌

[@bigfun64mo]

My husband and myself were just visiting NYC. It was the first time for both of us. I knew about this prior to our visit. We went by it on tours a couple of time. It's a beautiful park. NYC is lucky to have it.

[@eduardochavacano]

there are more historic and cultural sights than a Selfie Spot for vloggers and Instagram Addicts.

[@ajgerbi]

Okay...? They can go to those historic and “cultural” spots as well. They never said this was the only place they were going to during their trip. 🙄 . Not to mention that everything is new at some point, even those historical buildings, just because something is new doesn’t mean it lacks culture. Idiot.

[@Stonecoldalston]

@@eduardochavacano so how about you drop some spots instead of criticizing

[@bostonphotographer20]

What a great gift to the city, but some people still complain. Amazing.

[@chrisfinch8637]

Some People from Los Angeles would complain and others, too.

[@reality6968]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHXJpJaJZ7Nsqrs

[@zipit7089]

@martin manuel its their money not yours

[@zipit7089]

@martin manuel it’s their money not yours

[@zipit7089]

@martin manuel use your own money to reforest then

[@FacheChanteDeux]

DVF and Barry Diller really do this for the love of NYC and their love of the arts. They want to keep culture alive, it helps people's mental health.

[@shawnstone72]

I love when people with the ability does something wonderful like this. I’ve always said if I were wealthy I would want to do things like this. I helped build a playground in our town for kids with autism. I’m very proud to say I was able to donate some money with a few others to build something that helps kids with learning disabilities play in a park made just for them. Maybe just maybe, it makes our town a little bit better place to live.

[@AC-qc2pr]

Beautiful, and money very well spent❣️

[@jojopuppyfish]

Diller and Von Furstenberg contributed significantly to the High Light and they are a big reason it got built.

[@jcsgodmother]

High Line

[@user-us6ce7me8k]

So many picturesque places in New York 💖🌆

[@frenchvanilla7109]

I ❤️ NYC so much, I get home sick if I leave for too long.🗽

[@gregr9292]

I've followed both Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg and their personal journeys and accomplishments from time to time over many years with admiration for both of them because of how they embrace life and portray themselves to the world. I had no idea they were married to each other. Now, after seeing this island my feeling for them has jumped a hundred fold. After years of exhausting work in super competitive fields...achieving enormous wealth and fame it seems they've had the great good fortune to have arrived at a place where they asked the best question...."How can we use this wealth to directly affect millions of people on simple terms?" I believe they've succeeded. Mr. Diller said "I love public spaces." These two people have got it right. It's motivating to know two individuals can do good for others in ways that can never be appreciated enough because we can never measure how much this could mean to so many people. Thank you Mr. Diller and Thank you Ms. Von Furstenberg for creating this. Good humans doing good for reasons that are simple yet make total sense. Amazing.

[@KCNwokoye]

The salt of the earth. Beautiful souls making the world better. ♥

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

Here’s a novel idea: what if all of the American billionaires spent their fortunes in ways that benefitted everyone, and not just massively expensive narcissistic follies? It would be nice to see a return to the old philosophy of Noblesse Oblige. As we are experiencing a second, even greater Gilded Age, it would be wonderful if our billionaire would behave a little like the Vanderbilts and Carnegies, instead of the spoilt children we’ve got.

[@hillaryroberts3623]

Without gifts like this life would be dull. Thank you Mavericks of this world!

[@zacscalafini6545]

This looks just amazing. If they make one in Chicago it would be a hit

[@wolflarson71]

It's fun to bash billionaires but the fact is they love to spend money on stuff like this not to mention hospitals, libraries, museums, charities, etc. Kudos to them I say.

[@marywalters1181]

We bash them because they pay no taxes.

[@wolflarson71]

Billionaires don't write the tax code. Kind of like bashing your kids when you allow them to do stuff you don't want them to do.

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

Yes, the ones that do contribute are an asset to their communities

[@marywalters1181]

@@wolflarson71 That's right they don't. They bribe our politicians to write the tax code in their favor. Why do you think they pay no taxes, Einstein?

[@wolflarson71]

@@marywalters1181 Bribery is illegal and not common in your example. Try to be less hyperbolic. Also, the rich's share of taxes went 14.1 percent in 1979 to 25.3 percent in 2017. The share paid by the top quintile increased from 55.1 percent in 1979 to 69.2 percent in 2017. The share paid by the other four‐​fifths of has plummeted over that time. Chart here- www.cbo.gov/publication/56575

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

There should be boards of the people that live in the area and allow more artistic spaces to be built, great job!

[@SC4547]

We have visited the charming "Little Island" several times already. Last time was a few days ago, very early in then morning. That was truly special as, aside a few joggers, we almost were alone on the island, so very enjoyable and different from the crowded times of day.

[@jeffryan7262]

Is it free or is there an admission fee?

[@VincentGonz]

@@jeffryan7262 it's free but due to the crowd after 12 pm you need to book a free reservation online with a timeslot.

[@SC4547]

@@jeffryan7262 It is free and it didn't cost the city anything. Diller and his wife even added a huge amount of money to help with the upkeep!

[@AyakoTachi]

The plants are sooo nice to get a break from the concrete jungle

[@SC4547]

@@AyakoTachi The landscape design is truly special. I have never seen as many bees on a tree (myrtle) as on the Little Island and was mesmerized by many butterflies. And yes, the concrete jungle needs oasis's like this!

[@zbaby82]

I think America needs more parks.

[@PeruchoPastrulo]

You mean the United States. America is one of the six continents, as Europe or Asia.

[@georgebalan6201]

@@PeruchoPastrulo I think we all know that when you refer to America you’re referring to the US. If you really want to get technical, it’s north and South America, so you’re not referring to anything really since the continents aren’t connected thanks to the Panama Canal.

[@Ms.NoNo2]

We need more community gardens. One on every block.

[@Ms.NoNo2]

@@PeruchoPastrulo no, America is good enough. The whole world could benefit from more greenery

[@RaymondHng]

@@PeruchoPastrulo In the patriotic song "America the Beautiful", the lyrics refer to America as the country, not the continent.

[@alwaysbekindlove]

Absolutely love this, come on millionaires and billionaires pay it forward. It will reward itself for years to come

[@newcreature222]

What a beautiful place for the community fellowship , such great work for your fellow man

[@IguanaMom]

I wear nothing but sneakers but I look at that island and I think of high heeled shoes. I think I would have named it stiletto Island.

[@stacyg585]

Martha Teichner's pieces are always so poetic.

[@henrysmith1464]

the last scens of sunset and moonrise is touching indeed.

[@richardcogbill6791]

This was a great gift to the people of NYC. Thank you !

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

They look like golf tees

[@amym.483]

Yeeessss! 😆

[@paulinetayen9559]

Awesome for mental health and mindfulness and enjoy.

[@bbygrlpt2]

Wow if only more millionaires would do stuff like this... theyre givin gifts that will forever be remembered and actually help ppl.

[@hajnika1111]

Stunning, thank you for this inspired and inspiring gift...someday I hope to visit. Bravo!

[@helensmeha9244]

We need more people like DVF and her husband....THANKS A MILLION and God bless you both....

[@dbyd777]

THANK YOU Diller family!!!!! 🙏🏾❤

[@shante6855]

Billionaires sharing their wealth…that’s beautiful.

[@allencameron6455]

What a great story

[@chrisfinch8637]

We don’t normally visit these islands in New York, but it is home to my dad- a New Jersey native. Even so, it is on my bucket list to visit them!

[@carljcreighton]

you mean manhattan? lol

[@debbiegilder1546]

Bravo!!! What a gift, the beauty and generosity brought tears to my eyes. Mr. Diller and Mrs Von Furstenberg I hope you influence others to be so generous and make an impact within cities across the country. The benefit from your kindness and grand gesture ticks so many boxes ❤❤❤

[@jennifercuffy801]

Beautiful!!!

[@TheRock-xl9rq]

Hello Jennifer, how are you doing?

[@carlosarias2011]

Indeed a lovely tax write-off. They do love New York. Being that said, it's better to tax write-off your wealth doing things that you love to do for humanity than leave it to the Federal Government to waste on $88 million for new Furniture for Congress, and other wasteful spending.

[@koenkeep]

Maybe you shouldn't have set it on fire on Jan 6th then.

[@plebianpicasso7027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHLNqaFoirhqgJo They just write it off.

[@anidiquaojala1804]

Absolutely lovely !

[@Roy-G-Biv]

Now these are the billionaires are can get behind! Way to go! F Bezos.

[@Roy-G-Biv]

@Lee Roy Jones actually i live in ba ba land.

[@GlobalGioReacts]

This reminds me of growing up in Dallas , there was always so many cool/unique things and places being built directly from private donors who cared about the city’s growth 👏🏽🤘🏽

[@Bevkr1586]

Wow, amazing. I've never been interested in going to NYC. Now, I am.

[@yolandajimenez6337]

You would Be surprised How Much you'll love it ! I Hope you'll Enjoy The culture and vibrance That Amazing city Has to offer!!! Hope you fall In Love with NYC soon! God Bless 🙌🙏❤

[@johnnabeeson9401]

Thank you for this beautiful gift 💝

[@dianeyoung8068]

What a beautiful gift.

[@Burps___]

A wonderful tiny parcel of nature appreciated by a population that lives atop one another in shoeboxes.

[@bratofer21]

What a nice gift

[@JO-mg6xc]

Start spreading the news, a billionaire with heart 💜. In old New York. A real billionaire, unlike the one in Mar o Lardo

[@lovethefields]

Perfectly narrated

[@savannahm.laurentian1286]

Um, isn't NYC on the island of Manhatten? They overcrowded that island so built a "little" one?🤦 All kidding aside, looks pretty.

[@jumbomacaroni]

No NYC is not on the island of Manhattan, But the island of Manhattan is part of NYC. 😳

[@amorylovin2137]

So glad they were willing to do this!

[@cathyleebormannfitzpatrick]

That's a beautiful gift !! WoW it's gonna be on my bucket-list , of what to do in New York.

[@Charliefox71]

The “anti-Trumps”.

[@rorngoon4763]

Sick ! Good for them for creating a gathering space that emits positive energy

[@c.rutherford]

I don't have a problem really with this, building something extraordinary and giving it to the public. I mean yes there's forever people that deserve the money more, and endless arguments about who deserves it most. But then there would never be anything great built by humanity to inspire us, or amazing things to go see. Life is already short, and it would also be dull.

[@happymommy22]

How sweet of them to want to give this gift to people. 💜

[@Jimmvazq]

Lovely story

[@TheRock-xl9rq]

Hello Jimena, how are you doing?

[@edwardkenneth2088]

The philosophy of the rich and the poor is this: the rich invest their money and spend what is left. The poor spend their money and invest what is left" How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings account? I rest my case.

[@jimmys.fuller3659]

When money realize that's it's in good hands, it wants to stay and multiply in those hands, if you really want to make points out of money you ve got, you have to take it out of your saving account

[@maryj.batson5339]

I understand the fact that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, but investing today is a hard thing to do because I have no idea of how and where to invest in?

[@karoberts2198]

@@jimmys.fuller3659 People put their money in savings because that is what they trust. Also their thoughts can be very linear. I make money, I pay bills, I save for emergencies. Many have lost their savings in the market and lost their emergency contingency funds. It is difficult to know when you can spare funds.

[@innocentnemesis3519]

Capital begets capital and basic expenses are generally the same for most people. It’s not hard to connect the dots on why people with less capital are making less of it - they’re busy trying to survive.

[@nunyabeezwacks1408]

@@innocentnemesis3519 It’s not so much that people are making less capital, but that the government is taxing us through inflation. It’s pretty evil. Inflation is the true, real tax. “Income tax” is more of a whitewash to mask the real source of taxation, which is inflation.

[@stacylovesart6135]

ART brings happy and healing.

[@sompich880]

I was born in New York. Left in 1988 returned only to visit my sister who now lives in Las Vegas. I hope never to go there again.

[@freyaallan7007]

Hi there, thanks for your likes and comment on my official KZbin channel I hope you don't stop showing your love and support. ❤️

[@rochelimit55555]

beautiful public space

[@Polarbear5353]

You can’t take $ with you, but you can build something cool for generations to enjoy. Kind of like planting a tree…. Not for you, but for people after you.

[@cjstanley1]

Just visited. It's the bomb. Go!

[@omardalmau5663]

Thank you for giving something nice to New York City to enjoy for a very long time.😃 Not splashing your last name on buildings just to make you feel good about your self and you know who starts with a T

[@IanCurls123]

It’s actually really cool seeing the CUNARD WHITE STAR lettering in the old pier. .-. .. .-.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Historically it's important.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

A great big thank you to 2 generous people. There are others who could do something similar. We tend to forget that mental health is just as important as physical health. “I see people walk across the bridge and they smile.” That’s what people need. A place to go to that makes them smile. Disney World may be the happiest place but let’s face it, not everyone can afford to go there and if you do it may only be once in a lifetime. In this world, occasionally, you need an in between Disney injection of peace and tranquillity! God bless them both. May this be an example to others with deep pockets!

[@RaymondHng]

This is place is so new, it's shown on Google Maps Satellite View as only partially built.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

I would love to see more billionaires endeavor to do projects like this. It gives me feels of the Carnegie libraries. Do you know the impact on future generations a wealthy individual could have if they funded replacement play equipment for derelict parks in at-risk neighborhoods... or funded community garden spaces... or community centers... What this couple managed to do is so many of those, all in one. It's impressive, honestly.

[@GeorgeDoughty-m8e]

Nobody can waste money like a wealthy New Yorker. Ego's are astounding.

[@SoapinTrucker]

Awesome, and you don't have to pay $1/4M to ride it! :)

[@kbstrong429]

That’s amazing and great👏🏻🇺🇸💯

[@ellensstory4429]

They may not be curing physical disease, but I'm sure they are making a positive impact on mental health.

[@christianruiz5385]

Well I know where I will be going this weekend!!!! This looks amazing thank you Barry and of course Diane or BD and DVF!!!!!

[@TaichiStraightlife]

What could be bad? Smiles are way too rare these days, and gunfire on the news too loud...

[@ddshepherd4759]

Happy people are healthier. This is an outdoor hospital. Be well😊

[@8213apice]

I thought it would cost more than $260 million. Good job to them 🎉 I appreciate that.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Very nice.

[@freyaallan7007]

Hi there, thanks for your likes and comment on my official KZbin channel I hope you don't stop showing your love and support. ❤️

[@T190.JLS27]

How wonderful! I’ve never been to NYC, but this place is now another reason I want to make the trip from Oregon to see its many sights. I think it’s great when benefactors contribute to medicine and research to “cure disease”, but I think these wonderful open spaces, especially in the big cities, also help to prevent disease by the happiness they bring. What a great place for people to come and make beautiful memories.

[@Itsgrantsrants]

I live across the street!

[@SicilianStealth]

The funny thing is I live ten blocks away on West 22nd Street and I have never been there.

[@elizabethmills8667]

Yes In ny opinion if Billionaires can abd eant ti build parks that edified and bring nature to city dwellers.

[@NKsEntertainment]

This is really awesome man made island 👍, visited recently here

[@gedigi9010]

Beautiful .

[@artmax5878]

The city SHOULD let Billionaires invest in Public spaces.... They will do a far better Job than City Planners who lack a sense of style and love of the city.

[@cherylparris5277]

Now here is modern day noblesse oblige done right

[@ronnieRb]

It would have been so much better for New Yorkers to spend those millions upgrading and beautifying the existing parks that are woefully in need than building a splashy edifice that gives PR to Barry and Diane legacy and really is only a tourist destination

[@cynthiagoldstein1133]

I just love my city and anyone who supports it and it’s people, in ways big or small.

[@TheRock-xl9rq]

Hello Cynthia, how are you doing?

[@dianadelvalle3780]

Wonderful Story. We need more parks like this in ALL the boroughs...🙂🙏🏾

[@susansuewwilliams]

May the Lord grant them many years.

[@1ronin907]

That's cool.

[@dmiller1000]

Message to Bernie Sanders and Liz Warren: government can never do what individuals are capable of doing. Stop agitating to expropriate funds of the well-to-do, which all ultimately inure to heirs but more often to charitable and sometimes public causes like this one. There are other wonderful public spaces along the West Side, and yes, the concept for a West Side park was backed by the state government, and many of the spaces are great, but others are unimaginative. I guess what I'm saying is there's room for both, but not one or the other.

[@Mindset973]

Amazing

[@noabaak]

I live in here New York. Not sure due to Pamdemic if I will visit soon, but I am proud. And that New York Moon, you will not find it anywhere else, if you’d know what I mean. - 7/26/2021

[@jcsgodmother]

I wish I could see it. Maybe if I am ever back in NYC.