Ever since its partial opening in 2009, the New York High Line has been a magnet for innovative urban development and renewal. Transforming parts of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, the elevated park is gradually turning into a open-air gallery featuring some of the city's most interesting contemporary architecture. On an L-shaped lot directly abutting the High Line is Zaha Hadid Architects' 520 West 28th Street, the firm's first edifice to be built in New York City.

520 West 28th Street, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

Developed by The Related Companies, 520 West 28th Street consists of an 11-storey residential building boasting 39 exclusive homes. On the exterior, the structure features Hadid's recognizable touch, with a series of curved metal lines looping across the facade, visually defining each floor while wrapping around the building's curved angles and floor-to-ceiling windows. Eventually, these undulating bands will be clad in dark, hand-rubbed metal panels informed by the High Line's cast iron beams and railings.

520 West 28th Street, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

Inside, the two- to five-bedroom condominium units, each with 3.3-metre ceilings, will offer up to 590 square metres of space. All homes will include a series of Zaha Hadid-designed elements, such as a kitchen island sculpted in white marble with high-gloss cabinetry, and even a sculptural three-storey staircase in the triplex penthouse. Amenities in the building will include an outdoor terrace, a 10-metre sculpted stone wall in the lobby, a 23-metre swimming pool, a Turkish-inspired spa, New York City's only private IMAX theatre, an automated valet, and a high-security automated storage space inspired by Swiss vaults.

A three-storey Hadid-designed staircase at 520 West 28th Street, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

Currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2017, 520 West 28th Street has now reached its final height, as indicated by the waving American flag placed at the top of the concrete structure. Installation of the glass facade has also started, although the signature metal elements have not yet arrived.

520 West 28th Street is now topped out, image by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

Cladding at 520 West 28th Street, image by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

Additional images and information about the project can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread — where more construction photos are available — or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.