Little Island, New York park
To combat global warming, cities are being greened up.
Inaugurated last May in Manhattan, Little Island is a remarkable aerial park built entirely on the Hudson River, in the Chelsea neighborhood. Visitors can access it via two pedestrian bridges located at 12th and 14th Street. A fascinating historical detail—the southern entrance sits on the site of the former "Pier 54," a famous dock where survivors of the Titanic once arrived.
Concrete Tulips Rising from the River
Designed by British architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick—creator of The Vessel, often dubbed the "American Eiffel Tower"—Little Island boasts a futuristic infrastructure. This artificial island is composed of 132 giant tulip-shaped structures. The "stems" are massive raw concrete pillars, anchored 60 meters deep into the river, each capable of supporting over 350 tons.
Heatherwick envisioned columns of varying heights, ranging from 5 to 18 meters above the water, sculpting an artificial relief. His inspiration came from the wooden piles of the old Pier 54, still visible in the river today. His goal? To transform the island into a dynamic experience, offering stunning viewpoints across the city.
A Floating Garden Above the Hudson
At its surface, the vast concrete "petals" of Little Island—essentially enormous basins—have been filled with soil and planted with greenery. The site offers nearly a hectare of lush green spaces, meticulously designed by landscape architect Signe Nielsen. It hosts around 400 plant species, including a hundred trees and shrubs, gently sloping lawns, and dedicated areas for events, including a 700-seat amphitheater.
Suspended between sky and water, this garden provides a poetic escape—outside the city, beyond time. While its scale is nothing compared to Central Park, the green lung of the American metropolis, Little Island’s striking contemporary architecture is bound to secure its place among New York City's must-visit destinations.
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