More detail -
https://therealdeal.com/02/09/tower-heist-how-hfz-projects-were-systematically-looted/
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Anyone seen any recent renderings for that plaza? Such an opportunity to do something great there, though the early renderings had it just a flat, empty space. Not sure what that serpentine construction is, but it seems like some sort of bench/landscaping combo.
If you look down past the high line, on street level, you can see some of the landscape design. This is the only look at the proposed landscape design at this point. This is not a recent, detailed, clear view - but will do for now.
Thanks! And there it is. Granted, this is not a rendering specifically OF that plaza, but only a little promising. Better than a blank plaza I suppose. Not sure itâs some sort of artifact in the rendering, but it would be hugely disappointing if they do in fact rebuild that billboard. It would have been nice to see some sort of de facto grand entrance to the high line built here, integrated with the retail space at ground level. Canât really tell from this rendering thatâs how it will pan out.
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Nice zoomâŚ
Here is an excerpt from their website -
Our landscape design approach is very sensible to the reality of the world today. It is our duty to develop innovative concepts and solutions for climate adaptation. A detailed analysis of the site was made including sun, climate, and wind. With this information Enea could select the appropriate plant species, inspired by the local flora of New York. The solar radiation was carefully analyzed to understand the potential to lower the heat island effect, a current phenomenon in todayâs large cities. The heat island effect is characterized by concrete that absorbs the heat during the day and emits this heat during the night. Another aspect of Eneaâs analysis was noise pollution coming from the surrounding areas. The whole project was designed in accordance with New York Cityâs sustainability goals which require all new buildings to be covered with solar panels, green roofs or a combination of the two. The advantages of green roofs are a cooling effect in the summertime with energy cost savings on air conditioning, as well as recreating the natural collection of storm water in planted areas reducing the water flow into the cityâs sewers. Furthermore, with the aim of fostering biodiversity the plant selection is a combination of native plant species that create habitats for pollinators providing food and refuge for bees, butterflies, and birds in this highly urban metropolis.
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The steel structure for the billboard is already in place. We suspect it will be for art, not advertising.
The stone work looks like good quality materials all around. Those stone slabs are solid and substantial.
I noticed the metal rebar is green colored, instead of the usual dark grey we typically see in concrete formwork: they probably use a different type of rebar for underground work.
The curvy design looks very inviting, perfect for a small public park - BIG doing a great job as usual.
I have 46 posts on this topic. Click on my infoshare tag above to see my previous posts in this thread.
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Green rebar has an epoxy coating on it so that water (particularly salt water as it is more corrosive) that comes into contact with it does not corrode it. Its used in any instance that a structure will be open to salt water or marine like conditions, like bridges, roads, parking structures, etc, not just underground.
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@JB_Slope Get ready to be disappointed - the big billboard is there to stayâŚlooks bad, the backside is facing the street, like this:
at least they are integrating the stairs into it
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Thatâs very unfortunate. Thanks for the update.
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These things happen. Overall there is a lot to like about the design of both the Architecture & this outdoor space with the ugly backside of the billboard showing.
As a funny side note: I also came across an âugly backside showingâ while shopping at Home Depot the other day. 
As I said - these things happen⌠
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Iâm surprised they donât have ads on both sides.
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So the original design intent for the 18th St. Plaza was a new structure overlooking a grand staircase. I took these photos from the Designing the Highline book that came out in 2008. The original design did call for a grand entrance to the High Line so its a bummer it didnât happen. I assume with a smaller budget and the retail spaces under the High Line, they decided to just rebuild the billboard itself. The original staircase running next to that billboard used to be the quickest way up to see Section 2 before it opened. Glad itâs coming back.
Also - I think the address to the building is incorrect here on the forum. I believe it should be 500 W. 18th St?
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Thanks for sharing! Thatâs great, too bad it didnât come to pass.
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As a compliment to the above SKYLINE VIEW⌠
I have a Nice vantage point here: street view, vicinity view, skyline view.
These two buildings have great âcurb appealâ as captured in this street/curbside view. This photo is fun - sky, light, angles, inflection points, reflections.
BTW. I have 47 posts on this topic. Click on my infoshare tag above to see all my previous posts - you can also visit/follow my instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsKBfJEuJZR/?hl=en
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Again, the billboard will have commissioned art on it, not advertising.
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Either way it blocks the view.
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