Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: The Hudson Yards "Mini-City" Begins Its Ascent
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 4, 2012
Modified Dec 4, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 12
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 4, 2012
Modified Dec 4, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After years and years of talk the enormous 26-acre, $15 billion, 15 building Hudson Yards project on the far west side—once meant to be the centerpiece for a new Jets stadium—broke ground today. Forget about the Atlantic Yards for a minute, because this mini-city is going to be big—and local politicians could not be more proud of themselves.
"The Hudson Yards project is a win-win: it’ll create new office and residential space and give the community a new school and open space," Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer tweeted from the ground breaking. "Hudson Yards is happening! $15bil construction project in midst of weakened national economy - speaks volumes abt #NYC attractiveness," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn added. Even MTA CEO and the Post's favorite non-Mayoral candidate was happy today, reportedly trying to take some of the credit for the project (the site should make the MTA a cool billion).
And Mayor Bloomberg? Oh he could not have been happier that this project, which has been on the table for much of his time in office, is finally moving. He calls it "the future of New York." According to hizzoner the "site’s 26 acres will make it Manhattan’s largest undeveloped property now becoming a developed property. In fact, it is one of the largest private developments ever under taken in the country." No pressure, developer Related Companies!
So what to expect of this mini-city soon to rise between 10th and 12th Avenues and West 30th and 33th Streets? Well, the first phase alone is expected to include four mixed-use buildings with commercial, retail and residential space, as well as a cultural center and a luxury hotel. Coming on its heels will be a refurbished riverfront park, a 5-acre plaza "with a sculpture as large as Lady Liberty," a new public school and more. Along the way the city hopes it will bring 23,000 construction jobs to the area—which is nothing to scoff at. And let's not forget about the new 7 train station!
The first major tenant for the space will be the fashion company Coach, which has already purchased 750,000 of the 1.2 million square feet of the first office tower for an international headquarters. According to developer Related, more than 80% of that building already committed. Further the company says it "is close to signing several tenants to a another structure that will be higher than the Empire State Building."
Meanwhile, our favorite fact about the Hudson Yards project? It will, when done, have more office space than exists in all of Portland, Oregon. And maybe by the time it's finished there will actually be a demand for office space in Manhattan! Because right now, there are plenty of empty offices to go around.
Tagged
hudson yards
mayor bloomberg
minicity
related properties
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .