Written by Jaden Parker

The final stop of my trip was the Little Island on Pier 55. My cabbie quoted this project as costing $42 million. If he knew that it had actually cost $260 million, he probably would have had a stroke. Funded by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg through their family foundation, Little Island’s plans were announced in November 2014 by the Hudson River Park Trust. It was to replace Pier 54 which had been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

The space was designed by Heatherwick Studio, the ones who designed The Vessel, and Signe Nielsen from the MNLA. With over 66,000 bulbs and 114 trees planted, Little Island has various pathways throughout the park along with many viewing platforms. I actually got lost at one point because I have a terrible sense of direction. 

The park is supported by concrete piles coming from the Hudson River amidst the wood piles from the old Piers 54 and 56. The wood piles were preserved to keep the habitats safe of the aquatic life that had settled there over time. On top of these concrete columns are the distinct “tulip pots” that make up the surface structure of the park. Each pot has 4-6 concrete “petals,” and each is unique with none two being exactly the same. The pots weigh up to 75 tons, and there are a total of 132 pots.

There are over 350 species of greenery growing on Little Island, and there is a 687-seat amphitheater. The South Bridge entrance is from the British Cunard-White Star building from 1910. This was the point of departure and arrival for trans-Atlantic ocean liner voyages, including the return of the Titanic’s survivors in 1912 and departure of the Lustinatia three years later.

It was so much fun getting to see all of the little gems of New York, but there are definitely many more there to explore! Maybe, just maybe, there will be a part two of this architectural adventure. I will let you all decide in the comments below!