Construction Begins On New Floating Park In NYC

CHELSEA, NY — Construction on the much-delayed Pier 55, also known as Diller Island, has officially resumed this week, after years of delay on the massive project.

Billionaire couple Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg announced plans to fund the innovative floating park in 2014, but the project has been repeatedly delayed thanks to lawsuits in opposition to the concept. In September 2017, Diller backed out of the project, effectively killing its chances of becoming a reality, before Gov. Andrew Cuomo brokered a detente between the opposing parties and Diller.

Cuomo "really rescued" the project, Diller said in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

Construction on the project restarted the week, CityRealty first reported, with work on the two walkways leading to the pier going up.

"Now, we’re in the build process and we’re just beginning the programing process and it’s exhilarating. To do a project like this, which is purely for people’s pleasure, there are no rules," Diller said about the park. "This is for the pleasure of the people of New York and the people who visit New York, and how could that not be joyous."

The concept was conceived as a capstone for the Hudson River Park, the massive public park that stretches along the west side of Manhattan from Battery Park City to Midtown. Diller, a billionaire media mogul, envisions a massive public performance space that would sit on piles on top of the water. The park, which is being designed by Thomas Heatherwick, will include walking paths, rolling hills, seating areas and open lawns plus three performance spaces.

Image credit: Rendering courtesy Pier 55 Inc. / Heatherwick Studio