Little Island
Little Island is an artificial island and public park floating above the Hudson River at the site of Pier 55 in Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened in May 2021, it rises from 132 concrete “tulip” pots of varying heights to create an undulating landscape of lawns, gardens, a small stage, and a 687-seat amphitheater. Funded by a $260-million gift from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, the park is free and open to the public as part of Hudson River Park.
At a glance
- Type
- Artificial island; public park and outdoor performance venue
- Period
- Designed 2014–2019; constructed 2018–2021; opened May 2021
- Style
- Contemporary landscape architecture; Heatherwick Studio signature organic forms
- Location
- Pier 55, Hudson River Park, West 13th Street, Manhattan, New York City, USA
- Coordinates
- 40.7420° N, 74.0106° W
Overview
Little Island at Pier 55 sits just off the western shore of Manhattan, connected to the Hudson River Park esplanade by two footbridges at West 13th and 14th Streets in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighbourhoods. The park covers approximately 2.4 acres of elevated terrain despite sitting in the middle of a working waterway, and it commands panoramic views of the Hudson River, New Jersey, and the Manhattan skyline. It is managed by the Pier55 Inc. nonprofit organisation and admission is free year-round.
History
The original Pier 55 was demolished in 1989 after decades of industrial decline. Philanthropists Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg conceived a replacement park-and-performance-space project in the early 2010s, commissioning London-based Heatherwick Studio to design it. After environmental review and legal challenges from a rival pier project, construction began in 2018 on a foundation of 132 cast concrete “tulip” columns rising to different heights from the riverbed. The park opened to the public on 21 May 2021 and was immediately acclaimed as one of New York City’s most innovative public spaces in decades.
What you see
The island’s undulating surface — a direct consequence of the differing column heights beneath it — creates a series of distinct landscape “rooms”: open lawns, meadow plantings of over 350 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials, a hilltop overlook, and the Amph, a 687-seat open-air amphitheater used for free and ticketed performances. Two small concession stands are tucked into the island’s contours. The 132 concrete pots are visible from the water, giving the structure its distinctive “tulip bunch” silhouette when viewed from the New Jersey side of the river.
Cultural significance
Little Island is widely regarded as a landmark achievement in civic philanthropy and landscape urbanism, demonstrating how private funding can deliver bold public infrastructure in a city where waterfront space is scarce. Its innovative engineering — a floating park on shaped columns rather than a traditional flat pier deck — has influenced subsequent waterfront park proposals globally. The amphitheater hosts a free summer performance series that has brought theatre, music, and dance to audiences who might not otherwise access ticketed venues.
Practical information
Little Island is open daily; hours vary by season (generally 6 am to 11 pm in summer, shorter in winter). Admission is free. Timed-entry reservations are required on weekends and holidays during peak season — book in advance via the official website. The Amph hosts both free and ticketed events; check the events calendar. Food and drink are available from the on-site concession stands.
Getting there
The nearest subway stations are 14th Street (A/C/E lines) and 8th Avenue (L line), each approximately a 10-minute walk west to the Hudson River Park waterfront. The M11 bus runs along 9th Avenue nearby. Cycling is accessible via the Hudson River Greenway, which passes directly alongside the park’s entrance bridges.