Tracking the biggest buildings taking shape at Hudson Yards

Checking in on the ambitious, multi-billion dollar megaproject

In the decade-plus since the 2005 rezoning that created the Hudson Yards Special District, the area within its borders has become a neighborhood transformed.

Though many developments have capitalized on the rebranding of the neighborhood, the megaproject known as Hudson Yards officially sits atop the rail yards roughly bounded by 10th and 11th avenues, and 30th and 34th streets. This particular parcel, developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group, is now giving rise to supertall towers, high-end apartments, new parkland, and more.

While the entire Hudson Yards project still has a long way to go before it's actually a neighborhood—construction on the West Side rail yards has yet to even commence—the ambitious, multi-billion dollar project has made plenty of progress. On March 15, 2019, all of the restaurants and food halls are expected to open, along with a host of high-end stores and the project's new public park.

And so, here is a timeline of all things Hudson Yards, from the current progress of each site to anticipated opening dates.

One Hudson Yards

One Hudson Yards was once the name Related set aside for the office building now known as 55 Hudson Yards. Now, the address refers to a 33-story rental building on 30th Street between 10th and 11th avenues. It was designed by architect Davis Brody Bond, with interiors by Andre Kikoski Architect; Ismael Leyva Architects is noted as the executive architect.

There are 178 apartments, ranging from one-bedrooms to a four-bedroom penthouse, and true to the uberluxury rep Hudson Yards is trying to cultivate, they're pricey—studios start at $5,095/month. Apartments come with 10-foot ceilings and Manhattan views; amenities include an 82-foot pool, a gym, a basketball court, and a bowling alley. Leasing on the pricey apartments launched in 2017 and the building began welcoming tenants last summer.

Status: opened in 2017.

10 Hudson Yards

This Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed skyscraper was the first building to open within Hudson Yards, after construction began in 2012. It quickly topped out at 52 stories in 2015, and opened the following year. Since then, it has become home to tenants like Coach, L'Oreal USA, software company SAP, and social media agency VaynerMedia.

Next year, chef Jose Andres will open a 35,000-square-foot food hall, called Mercado Little Spain, at 10 Hudson Yards right below the High Line. Sweetgreen became the first restaurant to put down roots in the megaproject when it opened in August.

Status: opened in 2016.

Courtesy of Related-Oxford

A duplex at 15 Hudson Yards.

15 Hudson Yards

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Rockwell Group (Ismael Leyva Architects is noted as the executive architect), 15 Hudson Yards will be home to 285 apartments, though more than half of those have already been sold. The 917-foot-tall tower, which topped out in February, launched sales back in 2016; available apartments currently start around the $3.9 million mark.

The developers didn't hold back when it came to the luxe amenities; residents will have access to a 75-foot swimming pool, screening room, a 3,500-square-foot fitness center, a rooftop lounge and a private co-working space dubbed the Atelier.

It will also be home to 100 affordable apartments; the lottery for those launched in October 2018.

Status: opening in 2019

30 Hudson Yards

Also designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, 30 Hudson Yards officially reached its full 1,296-foot height over the summer. The supertall office tower will eventually welcome companies like HBO, Time Warner, CNN, and HY developers Related and Oxford Properties Group.

This will be the tallest of the megaproject's skyscrapers, and will be home to a sky-high, open-air observation deck. Construction on that attraction, which that will be suspended more than 1,000 feet in the air, began this spring (more on that below). Though it won't open until 2020, the rest of the building will be ready for occupancy this year.

Status: under construction; building opening in 2019, observation deck in 2020.

Courtesy of Related-Oxford

35 Hudson Yards.

35 Hudson Yards

This mixed-use tower—which will be a supertall, clocking in at just over 1,000 feet tall—is designed by Skidmore, Owings + Merrill's David Childs, and will be home to Equinox's first concept hotel when complete.

There will also be 143 condos, with AD100 architect Tony Ingrao responsible for designing the apartments and amenity spaces. The tower officially topped out last summer, and sales on its apartments are due to launch this year.

Status: under construction, opening in 2019.

50 Hudson Yards

In early 2016, a McDonald's on the corner of 34th Street and Tenth Avenue was demolished to make way for 50 Hudson Yards, which will stand 58 stories, making it the second tallest tower at Hudson Yards. It's the work of British starchitect Norman Foster, and it'll house offices and retail. One notable difference from the development's other buildings: This one still has a few more years to go before it's complete—it's scheduled to open in 2022.

Status: under construction, opening in 2022.

55 Hudson Yards

The architects at Kohn Pedersen Fox teamed up with Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates to create this glassy 780-foot office tower. A few law firms, including Cooley LLP, Milbank, and Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP have all signed on as tenants, along with several healthcare and private equity firms.

Status: opening spring 2018

Vessel

It wouldn't be right if the Hudson Yards megaproject didn't come with an eye-catching art installation, so Related tapped British designer Thomas Heatherwick to craft Vessel, a "public landmark" that would sit at the center of the development's five-acre public park.

Max Touhey

The Vessel.

The beehive-esque design for the 150-foot tall structure was unveiled in late 2016, prompting a flurry of mixed reviews. Construction on the project broke ground in April 2017, and it topped out eight months later. Interior construction is still underway, but it's expected to open by next March.

According to Heatherwick, the sculpture is intended to "lift people up to be more visible and enjoy new views and perspectives of each other," which explains the 154 interconnecting flights of stairs with 2,500 steps and 80 landings.

Meanwhile, the surrounding public plaza, designed by Nelseon Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, will feature nearly 30,000 native plants, a new entrance to the High Line, a garden with seasonal blooms, and lots of outdoor seating.

Apparently, Vessel is so popular that it warranted a notification list for early tickets.

Status: opening in March 2019.

Courtesy of Related-Oxford

The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards.

The Shops and Restaurants

A seven-story retail building, simply known as the Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, will become home to 25 different restaurants, many helmed by celebrity chefs like David Chang, Thomas Keller, Michael Lomonaco, and Costas Spiliadis. The shopping center will be decidedly upscale, with tenants like Neiman Marcus, Coach, and Stuart Weitzman all claiming space.

The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox with interiors by Elkus Manfredi Architects.

Status: opening in March 2019.

The Shed

Formerly known as the Culture Shed, Hudson Yards's forthcoming 200,000-square-foot cultural center, exhibition space, and performing arts venue is rising at the base of 15 Hudson Yards. The Shed, as it is now known, was designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with the Rockwell Group, and will feature six levels that will to house 1,250 seated people or 2,700 standing in its hall.

The Shed will also feature an artists lab, rehearsal, and event space on its top level. Its initial programming will include works by filmmaker Steve McQueen, artist Trisha Donnelly, and a collaborative effort by Gerard Richter, Steve Reich, and Avrö Part.

Photo by Ed Lederman

The Shed.

Architecturally speaking, the Shed's most interesting design element is its retractable outer shell, sitting on six huge wheels on the plaza level. It can be deployed within five minutes with a wireless remote to create a light, sound, and temperature-controlled space. The Shed is expected to open in early April.

Status: opening April 5, 2019

Hudson Yards Observation Deck

Construction on the sky-high observation deck that will occupy the 100th floor of the Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates-designed office tower at 30 Hudson Yards kicked off in April and is aiming to wrap up by 2019.

The 1,000-foot-high outdoor deck, which will be the highest in the western hemisphere, is being constructed using 15 primary sections, each weighing between 35,000 and 100,000 pounds and will feature 7,500 square feet of viewing space, surrounded by a nine-foot-tall glass wall and a windowed floor.

Related-Oxford

Hudson Yards observation deck.

The deck will feature a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and event space helmed by British hospitality group Rhubarb. Needless to say, the views of Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River will be unmatched.

Status: under construction, opening in 2020.