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Visitors to one of the world's most recognizable landmarks will soon have another elevated experience to view the sprawling Manhattan skyline. The Empire State Building has completed renovation work on its 102nd floor observatory, ridding the space of intrusive walls and short windows that impacted guests' views.
Opening to the public on Saturday, October 12, the new 102nd floor features 24 floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing guests to step right to the edge of the space. Measuring eight feet from top to bottom, the windows offer 360-degree perspectives of New York City and beyond.
An all-glass elevator from the 86th floor observatory shuttles guests 16 storeys higher and provides never-before-seen glimpses at the building's lights and the inside of the mast.
Work on the enhanced 102nd floor began in January 2019 when a suspended scaffolding structure was installed. Wrapping itself around the circular space, crews were able to conduct renovations on the observatory without affecting the experience on the 86th floor.
"The 102nd floor Observatory is the crown jewel of the Empire State Building. We've removed all the obstructions and obstacles, giving guests access to a view that is centrally-located and unrivaled in New York City," said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. "The Observatory Entrance and the second-floor galleries have been embraced by our visitors, and the 102nd floor's reopening is a major moment in our progress to complete the new Empire State Building Observatory Experience."
Tickets to the 86th floor observatory start at $38 USD. An additional $20 fee is applied for guests wanting to visit the 102nd floor.
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