I took the new 7 train to Hudson Yards (so exciting!), with an eye on heading down to see everything new going on along the Highline.
Apart from visiting the interesting Lego Project happening at 30th Street on the Highline, I prepared for this
tour with a separate trip to the Soori Highline sales office.
Here are my takeaways from both visits:
1) When the architect also is the developer, almost always the product is more detail-oriented than most.
I can think of another example –
One John Street in Dumbo, where the attention to detail was clear.
2) The Highline seems to have benefited from the flood of real estate inventory.
First, the Highline becomes a runway of sorts, a fashion show,
a backdrop for feeling inspired, beautiful, surrounded by design ideas.
There are almost no dead spaces along the way, only streets and interesting moments of voyeurism, looking at buildings’ backyards and quasi-alleys.
Second, the building everywhere provides lots of shade in the summer. In the winter, I can imagine, it never will get used
at the same level, while now the temperature is very pleasant almost all the time!
3) Where Hudson Yards and the Highline connect is going to be an absolutely incredible area.
The synergy is already incredible between the 7 train access, the Hudson Yards development, and the Highline.
All of a sudden, the Highline is accessible from top and bottom.
The West Side Highway becomes more easily accessible.
Javits becomes accessible.
The entirety of the West Side becomes a plausible place to live, without a far shorter walking commute.
With that in mind…
4) You have to take the 7 train!
It is such fun coming out from the depths of the West Side, emerging in the midst of such
awesome levels of construction.
The station is pristine.
Master Bedroom, Living Room, Pool
5) The palette that Soo Chan and his team bring to their development is really rich and interesting.
Every detail is considered.
Gorgeous built-out closets and
kitchens, high ceilings, low unit count (only 27), with a full amenity package.
My concern primarily is about the pools.
I wonder – will any smell from the pool be noticeable
in the living room or master bedroom?
16 of the 27 units have pools, and I imagine that only if buyers can see the spaces built out will they feel entirely comfortable.
It’s one thing to stay in a hotel or resort with a private pool.
I think it will be interesting to see what happens here.
As it is, the marketing right now is essentially subdued – or the properties are not on the market, exactly.
I’ll be curious to see when they come to market and if they change any of their marketing materials between now and then.
In other news, I read an interesting article about some other developments along the Highline
that may try to cater more toward smaller apartments.
I’ve been ranting for some time about the lack of small apartments in New Development.
I am not sure that I have fully wrapped my head around $2mm one-bedroom apartments yet – that’s a work in progress.
However, I can tell you that the Highline and Hudson Yards clearly are unfolding in incredible ways.
More next month. -Scott