R.Gowri lists eight tourist sites - new and expansions of existing ones - you should not miss
MARK next year as the indispensable year to visit the Big Apple. New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, NYC&Company, tags 2019 ‘A Monumental Year’ in line with the opening of a great many new eye-popping developments and expansions of existing iconic tourist sites.
1. THE SHED (Opening Spring 2019)
This new arts centre will be the first to commission, produce and present all types of performing arts, visual arts and pop culture. Its unique structure - a transformable, movable building with a telescoping outer shell on wheels - is ‘designed to flexibly respond to artists’ visions and support unique audience experiences’. Visit it at W 30th St between 10th and 11th Aves, New York, NY.
2. VESSEL (March 2019)
A great way to see New York’s skyline while burning off those extra calories. As you walk up 15 storeys, a vertical 1.6 km up using 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, you’ll be able to take in the city from various angles and heights. This monumental art piece designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is the centrepiece of the Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens.
3. HIGH LINE SPUR (April 2019)
The High Line is a 2.4km walkway 9m above street level in the neighbourhood of Hudson Yards. The elevated parkway’s final phase is set to open next year: The Spur extends east along West 30th St. and ends above 10th Ave. Here, visitors will find a large plaza featuring public art commissions. The focal part of the new section is the Plinth, a space offering a rotating programme of new and contemporary art commissions.
4. HUDSON YARDS (RETAIL) (March 2019)
The largest private real estate development in the history of the United States, Hudson Yards will also afford retail therapy. The mixed use development will have 100 shops including brands Rolex, Sephora, H&M and Zara. NYC’s first Neiman Marcus department store will also open here.
5. EMPIRE OUTLETS ON ST. GEORGE, STATEN ISLAND (April 17, 2019)
Situated at the island’s waterfront, it’s a destination for an entire day of shopping and dining. Also billed as NYC’s only outlet destination,step ashore for world-class shopping with 100 retail stores of the finest brands. Then head to Market place or MRKPTLE mpire Outlets which offers 1,210sqm of dining outlets, including signature restaurants and Staten’s first artisanal food hall.
6. STATUE OF LIBERTY MUSEUM (May 2019)
A US$70 million (RM290 million) museum will add to the viewing excitement of the Statue of Liberty, complete with galleries, interactive displays and an immersive theatre experience on the history of the famous lady.
7. THE OBSERVATION DECK, HUDSON YARDS (Late 2019)
NYC’s highest outdoor observation deck will be at 30 Hudson Yards. Get up to the 100th floor of the building (which will house commercial office space) to get to the deck, and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Manhattan’s newest neighbourhood from 395m up.The fifth highest observation platform in the world extends 20m from the 100th floor, and will be complemented by a restaurant and event space.
8. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART/ MOMA (2019)
Lovers of modern art will have much more to admire with gallery space increased by a third to accommodate more of its collection of almost 200,000 works. Expansions are expected to be completed by 2019. The museum remains open throughout renovations. MoMA is located in Midtown Manhattan and in Queens.
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