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The Standard, High Line
Envisioned by hotelier André Balazs, this 18-story boutique hotel rises over and straddles the historic elevated railroad park in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, featuring a street-level plaza, restaurant, and rooftop lounge.
The two angled main parts of the building create a distinctive, non-grid-like form that emphasizes its unique placement above the High Line while offering unobstructed views from every room
Our structural engineering team designed a composite steel and cast-in-place concrete structure that serves as a massive transfer system. Twin concrete slabs hinge outward 57 feet above grade on sculptural concrete piers to span the Highline.
| Client | Hotels AB, The John Buck Company |
|---|---|
| Architect: | Ennead |
| Size | 18 Stories | 204,500 SF (18,998 SM) | 337 Keys |
| Office: | New York |
| Completion: | 2009 |
The main structure consists of a concrete core over a steel and concrete transfer system. Super columns carry the building’s mass down to the deep, heavily reinforced bathtub-type-like foundations—designed to counter poor soil conditions and a high water-table given its location near the Hudson River.
The irregular façade consists of brick, exposed architectural concrete, and glass curtain wall, expressing a striking contrast between raw, board-formed concrete and refined "water-white" glass. This design reflects the "gritty" industrial character of the surrounding Meatpacking District while adding a modern, sophisticated element.
Construction of the hotel proceeded concurrently with development of the High Line itself. DeSimone coordinated closely with the landscape architect and other teams to ensure structural independence for the hotel and safe sequencing throughout construction.
