The Secrets Behind the High Line

In the interview, Hammond discusses what attracted him to the High Line in the first place, the chance introduction to his co-founder Joshua David, the importance of collaboration, and the lessons learned for others looking to replicate their successes.

Some interesting quotes from Hammond:

"I think the most important thing we did was start the project, and it allowed other people to come along and help us get it done. In some ways, it was an asset that neither Josh nor I was an architect, landscape architect, or city planner. It forced us to basically go to other people for help."

"Over time, people coalesced around Joel's photo [of the abandoned wild landscape] and when you asked them, "What do you want the High Line to be?" they'd point to Joel's photos and they'd say, "I want it to be like that." In some ways, that was the biggest inspiration behind the design, Joel's photos of the landscape."

"one of my favorite quotes is from one of our architects, Ric Scofidio, who said his job was to save the High Line from architecture. We were lucky to have that kind of architect. But going back, it's really a landscape issue."