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  • Introduction
  • Open Space
  • The High Line
  • Commercial & Residential
  • Cultural & Public Amenities
  • Sustainability
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The Durst/Vornado proposal responds not only to the requirements of the MTA but also anticipates the needs of the City – creating a world-class, sustainable urban environment that gives New Yorkers a vibrant new destination for living, working and recreation.

Our vision is to create a real sense of place – a distinctive quality that entices people to live and work at the West Side Rail Yard. The project will include prestigious corporate addresses, but be equally welcoming to residents, neighbors and visitors looking to enjoy and discover the unique vantage points and secluded spaces that define the landscaped park area. Four commercial buildings will activate the site during the day, with residential buildings of varying scale, attractive retail, a cultural center and community spaces ensuring a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood. At the heart of the site is a 12-acre public open space offering multi-function plazas, lawns and quiet spaces. In addition to the tremendous views of the river, subtle changes in elevation at ground level create a dynamic weave of circulation systems, providing the pleasurable experience of being “in” the landscape one moment and then viewing it from “above”.

The goal in creating the interplay of building and park at the West Side Rail Yard is not only to draw people to one or two destinations, but also to encourage them to move through the site. To facilitate seamless movement a Skyline – a raised landscape and compliment to the High Line – carries pedestrians safely over 11th Avenue and allows them to hover over the landscape as they move toward a connection to the Hudson River Park.

Connectivity is key to the success of the West Side Rail Yard, and for us goes beyond making it easy for pedestrians to access the site or completing the #7 subway line. To create a new and easy connection to the major transportation hub at Penn Station, we propose an automated people mover (APM) – a driverless system that will offer a roughly one-minute travel time to the West Side Yard for tens of thousands of people each day.

The project will be a model of sustainable development and presents a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to build a community using the latest high-performance and sustainable technology. Following the principles of PlaNYC, the development will set new standards for open space, water quality, energy use, transportation and air quality

Durst/Vornado is committed to ensuring that New York remains an affordable place for all New Yorkers. All rental units will follow the 80/20 formula and in addition, we are working with organized labor to set-aside “Work Force Housing” to be made available to middle income households.