Hilary J. James

More Trees And Shrubbery Planted On Thomas Heatherwick’s ‘Little Island’ At Pier 55 In Chelsea

Discover Little Island Pier 55's Stunning Chelsea Landscaping

Post Author
October 7, 2020

Landscaping work is continuing on Little Island, Thomas Heatherwick‘s 2.4-acre Hudson River park at Pier 55 in Chelsea. More trees and greenery have been delivered and planted across the undulating mass of reinforced concrete and steel. The project, which was conceived to resemble a leaf floating on water, is being managed by the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT), with landscape design by MNLA.

Little Island’s planted concrete platforms rise above the waterfront, with a construction crane behind them.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Steel sheets have been inserted throughout the park to hold back dirt and create stepped hills. A diverse mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees of varying textures, colors, and sizes are scattered throughout, surrounded by smaller plants and a perimeter fence of thin cylindrical poles.

Young trees and shrubs in stepped rust-colored planting beds at Little Island, with construction equipment in front.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

The view from Hudson River Park highlights the array of rounded concrete pillars upon which Little Island sits. The funnel-shaped pods are positioned at varying heights over the Hudson River and account for the striking architectural design and man-made topographical layout of the park.

Little Island’s elevated concrete walkways curve above the Hudson River, with trees on the platforms.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s curved, tree-planted terraces rise above the river on concrete piers.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s sculptural concrete supports rise from the water, with trees lining its elevated walkways.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s tree-lined platforms rise on flared concrete columns above the water.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island in Chelsea, with tree-lined paths above distinctive flared concrete supports.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s planted walkways curve above the Hudson River beside rust-colored steel pilings.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

The main hydraulic boom crane can be seen lifting dirt into place on Little Island to form the hills and layer of topsoil.

Little Island’s concrete supports and rust-colored fins rise above the water as a crane lifts a platform.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island construction site with a crane lifting a green container over curved concrete paths.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

The preceding photographs show two ramps between the park and Manhattan. One of them connects from the south and passes underneath the preserved steel frame of Cunard’s Pier 54, which is currently being refurbished behind construction barriers and plastic sheets. The second ramp will link the northern section back to the Hudson River Park esplanade.

Little Island’s tree-covered concrete platforms and wooden walkway rise above the water.

Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s sculptural concrete supports beside the water, with workers and construction fencing.

The northern ramp of Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island’s curving concrete walkways and young trees overlook the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.

The southern ramp of Little Island. Photo by Michael Young

High-rise under construction with a rust-colored steel arch, scaffolding, and a crane.

Cunard’s old steel-framed pier structure. Photo by Michael Young

Little Island will feature a main lawn in the center of the design and a playground for children; a 700-seat amphitheater called The Amph; a southeastern overlook at the tip of the park with 180-degree views; a second stage area with a hidden garden called The Glade; and a southwestern overlook perched 63 feet above the water that is accessed by a winding, tree-lined pathway. This vantage point, the highest point of the island, will provide visitors with views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and sunsets over the Hudson River.

Little Island is on track to open next spring.

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