It’s all thanks to the 102nd floor observatory’s renovation and reopening on Saturday, October 12.
The new observatory, on the highest floor of the building, now offers unobstructed views of the city and beyond, from a height of 1,250 feet (381 meters).
The new observatory, on the highest floor of the building, now offers unobstructed views of the city and beyond, from a height of 1,250 feet.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Previously, the space offered shorter windows blocked by 3-foot-tall walls. The renovation has torn down those walls and replaced the windows with mammoth floor-to-ceiling glass panes, each one weighing 450 pounds.
The upgrade to the building is “a reflection of what it means, to 13 cultures in nine languages around the world, to be at the Empire State Building,” explained Anthony Malkin, chairman and CEO of the Empire State Realty Trust. “People share the same words — iconic, authentic, historic, dreams, inspiration — we wanted to make that part of” the visitor experience.
In the new 102nd floor observatory, guest traffic will also be controlled, Malkin said.
“Every single person will be able to stand facing a window and not touch anybody else” — often a rare circumstance for New York City tourists.
Landmark tourist attraction
Visitors take in views of Manhattan from the newly renovated 102nd floor observatory of the Empire State Building.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The unveiling of the 102nd floor observatory is the third phase of the Empire State Building’s years-long top-to-bottom renovation that began in 2007.
The second stage of the refurbishment in July revealed a new second-floor museum gallery that documents the history of the building.
It also showcases the building’s star moments, including portraits of celebrities on the 86th floor observation deck and a panoramic video experience integrating the major films featuring the building: “King Kong,” “An Affair to Remember” and “Sleepless in Seattle” among them.
All the elevators leading up to the viewing areas have also been modernized, with glass panel additions so visitors can see some of the inner workings of the building from the lift.
Explaining one of the motivations for the observatory refurbishment, Malkin said, “The entire rest of the building had been upgraded, and we were still offering the same experience we offered Queen Elizabeth back in the 1950s.”
Fierce competition
And competing with newer buildings is naturally part of the mission of the Empire State Building, now that Manhattan’s skyscraper landscape also boasts the One World Trade Observatory, which provides sweeping city views especially gorgeous at sunset.
In the spring of 2020, an observatory at Hudson Yards, aiming to be the western hemisphere’s highest observation deck, will give the current scene stealers a run for their money.
“We want the observatory and the views and the experience here to meet the 21st century and beyond,” Malkin added. “We are the authentic show in New York City.”
At this stage of the construction project, all the elevators in the building have been modernized as well, and the 86th floor area that leads to that floor’s observation deck has been redone (the 86th floor observation deck has not been renovated).
Last year, the building’s main entrance was moved from 5th Avenue to 34th Street for better traffic flow.
The restoration will also include the building’s historic lobby with its celestial ceiling mural made from aluminum leaf and 23-karat gold.
The project aims to reduce the building’s energy consumption by more than 38%, according to the Empire State Realty Trust.