Vertical Garden Revolution

: Secret Skyland in Midtown Manhattan

Why do you need this guide?

When the hustle and bustle of 42nd Street is suffocating, few people know that there are 7 sky gardens within a 500-meter radius. These green spaces, created by loopholes in fire regulations, the remains of architectural competitions, and the whims of the rich, constitute New York's most poetic urban paradox.

Chapter 1: Gardens in the cracks of the law

Ford Foundation Atrium

Secret: Greenhouse created in 1967 using the "floor area ratio bonus" policy

Must see: Glass water drops hanging from Brazilian mahogany trees (artist Tomas Saraceno's work)

Best time: 3 pm on weekdays when the sun shines through the stained glass

Bank vault garden

Location: Chase Manhattan The third underground floor of Plaza

Features: The fern garden transformed from a vault, with a constant humidity of 82%

Trivia: The surveillance cameras still use Sony CRT monitors from the 1980s

Chapter 2: The ecological chain of the rooftop farm

Bryant Park Beehive

Data: 120,000 Italian honey bees produce 600 pounds of honey per year

Interaction: "Bee Clothes Experience" once a month (a waiver agreement must be signed)

Hidden menu: The "Central Park Mule" cocktail made with this honey in the hotel bar

FAO experimental field

Crops: Space-bred wheat planted on the 38th floor

Technology: Use diplomats African soil transported by special plane

Tip for visiting: Pretend to be a member of the member state delegation

Chapter 3: Illegal buildings turned into gardens

59th Street Fire Stair Garden

History: A vertical vegetable garden that an old Chinese woman has "illegally" expanded for 30 years

Experience: Pay $5 to pick three crops (perilla is recommended)

Warning: Be careful to avoid municipal inspections (every Wednesday morning)

Back of the Times Square billboard

Installation: Moss letter matrix designed by a Swedish artist

Easter egg: Scan specific leaves to see the holographic image of the 1965 World Expo

Survival guide

Pass: Buy a "High Line+" ticket to enter 5 restricted gardens

Equipment: Carry a folding humidifier to deal with air conditioning airflow with Jade escorting service

Photography: Use a polarizing filter to eliminate glass reflections

Taboo: Do ​​not ask the security guard about the location of the private greenhouse of the CEO of JPMorgan Chase