If the whole Hudson Yards thing doesn’t pan out for Diane von Furstenberg, at least she can stage her future shows on the island she’s building in the Hudson River. According to the New York Post, The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation has given over $100 million to the city to rebuild Pier 55 into a 2.7-acre park. The donation will cover the bulk of the $130 million cost, which will include building 341 concrete piles of different lengths to create a rolling hill effect. The island, designed by Mathews Nielsen and Britain’s Heatherwick Studio, will also include an amphitheater that seats 700 people, which will be home to free and inexpensive performances for the public. The state will pay to extend the West Street Esplanade, so that the island is easily accessible from mainland Manhattan.
The designer is obviously thrilled about her involvement in this new project, noting that “New York has always reminded me of Venice, so I am happy the time has come to properly honor its waterways.”
If anything, it will be a beautiful location to send post fashion show emails once it’s finished.
[NYP]
