Groundbreaking at Hudson Yards in NYC

Hudson Yards in New York City, the largest private development project in the country, will showcase public–private partnerships and possibly provide a blueprint for future developments in the cities outer boroughs.

A rendering of what the new Hudson Yard center will look like once completed on New York City's West Side. Courtesy of MIR

NEW YORK—New York City, meet Hudson Yards, Manhattan’s newest neighborhood. The historic project broke ground on its South Office Tower Tuesday, beginning the long-awaited expansion of Midtown Manhattan’s central business district, which will transform the West Side skyline when complete.

Hudson Yards, the largest private development project in the country, will showcase what public–private partnerships can do to economically transform neighborhoods, and possibly provide a blueprint for future developments in the city’s outer boroughs.

“This is the future of New York,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg from the Hudson Yards site Tuesday. “After years and years of planning and partnership, breaking ground on the first commercial building on the Hudson Yards is a wonderful thing.”