By Joseph Morales

                  Hudson Yards is one of the largest transit-oriented developments in U.S history. Hudson Yards is a neighborhood on the Far West Side of Manhattan bounded by West 42nd and 43rd Streets, 7th and 8th Avenues, West 28th and 30th Streets and Hudson River Park according to the Hudson Yards Development Corporation. Hudson Yards had a long history of development plans falling through since the 1960’s including a sports stadium proposed as part of New York’s bid to host the 2012 olympics. Hudson Yards has finally come a long way from being a largely vacant space with just the Javits Center and an LIRR yard within the last decade to being a bustling mixed-use area, with a shopping mall, tourist attractions and other commercial/residential skyscrapers as well as the modern 34th St-Hudson Yards subway station.  Now, Hudson Yards continues to grow into a prime neighborhood on Manhattan’s Far West Side.

                 Hudson Yards, named for the rail yard it sits on top of, already boasts multiple skyscrapers, The Vessel and an art center known as The Shed. One of the skyscrapers known as 20 Hudson Yards includes a 720,000 square foot shopping mall known as The Shops and Restaurants At Hudson Yards. Another skyscraper known as 30 Hudson Yards includes a popular observatory known as The Edge. Hudson Yards has and is continuing to add new skyscrapers that will serve many purposes such as residential, retail and commercial uses. Many of which are mixed-use towers that can include a combination of  hotel, residential, retail and commercial space. One of these is located on 545 West 35th St at W 35th St and 11th Ave. Seen directly after exiting the 34th St-Hudson Yards subway station, the building will include 421 hotel rooms and 131 condos located above it. Nearby 476 11th Avenue will have 1.3 million square feet of office space and 600 apartments.

                 A major new hotel is being constructed in Hudson Yards as well. The hotel on 11th Avenue between West 36th and 37th Streets directly across the street from the  Javits Center. The hotel is set to have 531 rooms and is reported to be occupied by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide which is owned by Marriott International. Upon completion, the hotel can quickly become popular among visitors to some of Javits Center’s biggest events such as the New York International Auto Show as well as New York ComicCon. The hotel can also spark guests’ interest in other Hudson Yards and Midtown attractions. The hotel will also include 212,860 square feet of commercial space in a multi-story podium. An outdoor terrace will most likely be located on the top area of the building facing the Hudson River. A hotel is also being constructed at 35 Hudson Yards which will also include 143 apartments. 

                 In addition, Hudson Yards is quickly becoming one of New York’s largest office hubs despite the recent shifts to hybrid/work from home setups for many white-collar workers. One office building will be 50 Hudson Yards, which will include offices and retail and become the city’s fourth largest office building when complete. Another project, at 11th Avenue and W 34th St will include 1.85 million square feet of office space and almost 15,000 square feet of retail. Countless notable companies either have or plan to take office space in Hudson Yards in the near future including Pfizer, Wells Fargo the NHL and so much more. Many more office building projects are also in the works.

               A residential building is also being constructed at 601 West 29th Street that will include affordable housing. The 60 story mixed use building will contain 938 residences, 50,000 square feet of amenity space and 15,000 square feet of retail space. 235 of the residential units will be for those making between $26,220-$144,100. Some amenities will include but are not limited to pet-friendly policies, an outdoor swimming pool, multiple outdoor terraces and more. There will also be parking for 186 vehicles.

                To complement these additions, the Hudson Park and Boulevard is being constructed in order to be the green center of the neighborhood. The park will run between 10th and 11th Avenues between West 33rd and 39th Streets. The park would be able to accommodate many outdoor activities including large events like farmers markets and outdoor movies according to the Hudson Yards Development Corporation website. The 34th St-Hudson Yards subway station would have two entrances in the park between West 33rd and 34th Streets and between West 35th and 36th Streets. The Hudson Yards Development Corporation’s website reads “When complete, Hudson Park will become an instant favorite, joining this city’s other great urban public spaces like Bryant Park, Union Square Park and Hudson River Park.” 

                    It is astonishing how Hudson Yards had gone from a largely desolate place to one of the most trending areas of New York City. What the future may have in store for Hudson Yards is still yet to be seen.

Works Cited

Warerkar, Tanay, and Amy Plitt. “The definitive guide to the Hudson Yards development boom.” Curbed NY, 6 November 2019, https://ny.curbed.com/maps/hudson-yards-new-york-construction-buildings. Accessed 9 October 2022.

“Hudson Park & Boulevard Phase I and II — Hudson Yards Development Corporation.” Hudson Yards Development Corporation, https://www.hydc.org/hudson-park-boulevard-phase-i-and-ii. Accessed 9 October 2022.

Londono, Vanessa. “Housing Lottery Launches for 235 Units at 601 West 29th Street in Hudson Yards, Manhattan.” New York YIMBY, 10 June 2022, https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/06/housing-lottery-launches-for-235-units-at-601-west-29th-street-in-hudson-yards-manhattan.html. Accessed 9 October 2022.

Young, Michael. “Demolition Makes Headway for Major New Hotel at 450 11th Avenue, Hudson Yards.” New York YIMBY, 13 January 2019, https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/01/demolition-makes-headway-for-major-new-hotel-at-450-11th-avenue-hudson-yards.html. Accessed 9 October 2022.