A Beach Near the High Line

John Hill

10. February 2021

Image: James Corner Field Operations, courtesy of Hudson River Park Trust

The Hudson River Park Trust has unveiled plans for Gansevoort Peninsula, a 5.5-acre project that will include Manhattan's first public beach. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, it is located one block from the southern tip of the High Line.

Gansevoort Peninsula was formerly home to a New York City Department of Sanitation garage and other facilities. The construction of a large sanitation garage in nearby Hudson Square — designed by Dattner Architects and WXY, and completed in 2015 — meant the pier could finally be transformed into another part of Hudson River Park. The completion of Gansevoort Peninsula in a couple years will bring the park — in the works since 1997 — one step closer to completion.

Although the project by James Corner Field Operations is very close to the firm's famous elevated High Line park, it's even closer to the Whitney Museum of American Art and its Renzo Piano-designed home. The Whitney will be making an addition to the new piece of the park: Day’s End, a large piece of public art by David Hammons, will be located on the southern edge of the peninsula. Gansevoort Peninsula is also steps away from Little Island, the project designed by Thomas Heatherwick that is nearing completion just north of the pier.

Day's End, which looks like an outline of an old pier shed, was inspired by the work of artist Gordon Matta-Clark. (Image: James Corner Field Operations, courtesy of Hudson River Park Trust)

According to a press release from the Hudson River Park Trust, "Gansevoort Peninsula will include a sandy beach area with kayak access on the south side; a lawn and seating area north of the beach; a large sports field; a salt marsh with habitat enhancements on the north side, a dog run and on its western side, picnic tables and lounge chairs." The $70 million project is expected to open in spring 2023.