What is it about piers, bridges, raised railway lines, that excites us?

Taking a new perspective about the landscape of New York, I wandered the first stage of “The High Line” where I was able to soak up the sun (a pleasant shift from inhaling the subway) and was delighted by the detail where ‘old meets new’.

Built in the 1930s, the elevated rail brought freight in and over the city until 1980.   In 1999 a non-profit community group, ‘Friends of the High Line’ formed in response to the proposed demolition of its structure.  They worked with the City of New York to preserve the public space and engaged Field Operations with Diller Scofidio + Renfro to construct The High Line.

I remain curious as to why this project works (some may debate whether it does work, but I’ll assume most say it does).  Is it the old rusty patina, whispy grasses, backdrop of NYC, a place to gain a tan (imagine a shadow diagram of Manhattan) or the fact that every aspect of The Highline has been carefully detailed, from its custom precast concrete, furniture, planting, sun-beds, installation art to spectacular lighting?