Photo courtesy Related-Oxford
New York City’s Hudson Yards is celebrating its grand opening. This 11-ha (28-acre) neighborhood has been transformed into a thriving destination for foodies, fashionistas, art lovers, park visitors, and tourists.
Hudson Yards has 6 ha (14 acre) of open space, a 750-seat public school, and the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck. It also includes more than 167,22,54 (18 million sf) of commercial and residential space, along with more than 100 shops, a collection of restaurants, approximately 4000 residences, affordable housing, the Equinox Hotel, and a first-of-its-kind microgrid and co-gen plant.
At the epicenter of the square sits a structure temporarily known as Vessel, a new kind of public landmark: social, engaging, and interactive. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, Vessel is comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs—2500 individual steps and 80 landings. The dramatic design of Vessel creates a kind of stage set for New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. Standing 46 m (150 ft) tall, Vessel was fabricated in Monfalcone, Italy, from a steel frame that was covered by a copper-colored steel cladding.
Hudson Yards is planned as the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum neighborhood and has already achieved WiredScore certification.
