2011.07.20
HIGH LINE RINK
A NEW, OUTDOOR ROLLER-SKATING RINK AND POP-UP SHOPS MADE FOR ALL BY UNIQLO
OPEN DAILY BETWEEN JULY 28 TO SEPTEMBER 26
New York, NY (July 20, 2011) - Friends of the High Line is pleased to announce the High Line Rink . Made for All by UNIQLO, a new, outdoor roller-skating rink below the High Line for New Yorkers and visitors of all ages. Open for a limited time during the summer and early fall, from Thursday, July 28 to Monday, September 26, 2011, the High Line Rink will be one of the only open-air roller-skating venues in Manhattan. The High Line Rink is presented by Japanese retailer UNIQLO as part of a two-year partnership that supports the ongoing maintenance and operations of the High Line. Admission will be free for the first 500 people on the first two days of operation thanks to UNIQLO.
Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations, in partnership with HWKN, the High Line Rink comprises 8,000 square feet within The Lot, a temporary public plaza below the High Line at West 30th Street and 10th Avenue. Orange and white construction barriers illuminated by interior lighting mark the boundaries of the skating area, and the rink’s asphalt floor is painted with a white, geometric pattern that responds to the white grid painted on the area surrounding the rink. Along the rink, there is bench seating constructed with original steel beams that were removed from the High Line during the transformation of the structure into a public park.
Roller-skaters at the High Line Rink will have the opportunity to shop at the exciting UNIQLO Cube that will be glowing adjacent to the High Line Rink. UNIQLO sells component wear that can fit within one’s own style and is comprised of the highest possible quality, technology and innovation at the most accessible price. Customers at the UNIQLO Cube can purchase 100% pure luxurious cashmere in a large array of colors; premium top quality ultra light down jackets; innovative world renowned inner wear Heattech; or the cool UT (UNIQLO T-Shirts) which feature collaborative designs from popular Japanese manga characters, Barbie and the Save Japan! Project. The UNIQLO Cube at the High Line Roller Rink kicks off an exciting campaign that will spread the UNIQLO brand message, Made For All, across the metropolitan area.
Between July 28 and September 26, the High Line Rink will be open daily, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday through Wednesday, and 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Thursday through Saturday. Regular admission to the High Line Rink will cost $10 for children under age 13 and $12 for adults. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The admission fee will be waived for non-skating parents or guardians accompanying children under age 13. The admission fee will include a pair of rental skates, and will not be waived for guests who would like to use their own roller-skates and roller-blades. The High Line Rink will be operated by Friends of the High Line and United Skates of America.
The High Line Rink will expand the existing public amenities at The Lot, which include a rotating series of food trucks and beer and wine at The Lot on Tap, an outdoor bar operated by Friends of the High Line and Colicchio & Sons. The High Line Rink will serve as the site for theme nights and other public activities throughout the summer and fall. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
“To celebrate summer in New York, we are opening an outdoor roller-skating rink under the High Line, in a parking lot lent to us by the developer for this summer only. Located on the corner of 10th Avenue and 30th Street, the rink will as unexpected and unusual as the High Line itself,” said Robert Hammond, Co-Founder, Friends of the High Line.
“Friends of the High Line is improving the lives of New Yorker’s in an unconventional way. UNIQLO is opening two large stores in the Fall, on Fifth Avenue and 34th Street and we hope to become a part of New York culture through our better quality products,” said Shin Odake, U.S. Chief Executive Officer, UNIQLO.
About the High Line and Friends of the High Line
The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line, the non-profit conservancy that raises the essential private funds to support more than 90 percent of the High Line’s annual operating budget pursuant to a licensing agreement with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. The first section of the park, which runs between Gansevoort to West 20th Streets, opened in June, 2009. The second section, which runs between West 20th and West 30th Streets, opened in June, 2011. Friends of the High Line continues to advocate for the preservation and transformation of the High Line at the Rail Yards, the third and final section of the historic structure, which runs between West 30th and West 34th Streets.
About The Lot
Presented by Friends of the High Line, The Lot is a new 40,000-square-foot temporary public plaza under the High Line at West 30th Street and 10th Avenue. Designed by the High Line design team, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations, The Lot is open for the summer of 2011 thanks to the generous support of the Related Companies and Abington Properties, the owners of the property. The Lot is home to The Lot on Tap, an outdoor beer and wine bar operated by Friends of the High Line in partnership with Colicchio & Sons, and a rotating series of food trucks offering some of New York City’s best street food, which includes ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus, cold drinks from Kelvin Natural Slush Co., lobster rolls from Red Hook Lobster, falafel and smoothies from Taim Mobile, tacos from The Taco Truck, and more. For a daily schedule of food trucks and events, visit www.thehighline.org.
About United Skates of America
United Skates of America, Inc. is the largest roller-skating family fun center chain in the United States. We have over 40 years of experience in this business (founded in 1971) and are recognized as the leader in our industry with state of the art facilities managed by true professionals. Over 2.8 million guests visited our facilities in 2010. Our motto is Clean, Fun, Friendly & Safe, and we live up to these standards in each of our centers in 10 states, including Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona, California and Maryland. These facilities are designed and run for our core customers, children ages 5-15 and their families.
