Each elevator has a capacity for up to 15 people. Access to this elevator is not included with general admission – you will need to pay some extra dollars for that.

The elevators are above the roof, so it’s less scary than the Levitation glass boxes, as when you look down you see the terrace of the building. It’s like having a VIP view of lower Manhattan. Probably the most impressive thing about the Summit – and the one that totally sets it apart from other observatories in the city – is the Ascent! These are two all-glass enclosed elevators called Ascent which travel up the outside of the building to breathtaking views that soar at 1,210 feet above New York City. Those who are afraid of heights may not face the challenge, but I thought it was amazing – and from them you can see not only the Empire State Building but also Central Park! Incredible! You will feel like you are walking with the city at your feet. The visitors can enjoy stepping out into fully transparent glass skyboxes called Levitation that jut out of the building and suspend guests 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue. This is another really cool area of Summit and it reminded me of the Chicago observatory, Skydeck. I loved! In addition to all this, it has a very calm ambient sound, which provides a real immersion.ĭue to the mirrored environment, the staff does not recommend the use of skirts or dresses.

Mirrors on the walls, floor, and ceiling create an incredible sense of infinity – all with the added bonus of views to the south side of the city, including the iconic Empire State Building. It’s a huge, mirrored room and every corner you look at provides a different view of the space. Mixing transparency and reflectivity, this space creates the illusion of boundless space, faceting the world into an infinite universe without fixed form or limit. The first Summit environment is called Transcendence. Summit One Vanderbilt will offer much more than just spectacular views – it features multiple experiences and environments, and you’ll find out more about each one below. Culinary offerings will be led by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events. It is produced by SL Green with the immersive art experience designed by Kenzo Digital and interior design by Snøhetta.

Summit One Vanderbilt is a new, innovative destination that combines unparalleled vistas, curated multi-sensory experiences and cutting-edge technology to offer an unprecedented guest experience spanning art, nature, and design. More than just an observatory, visiting the Summit is a truly immersive experience. Summit is the new addition to this list and, knowing the fierce competition, they did their homework creating an incredible space to enjoy the view of the city.

Everything you need to know about Edge – the newest observation deck in New York Cityįor those unfamiliar, New York City has 4 other observatories: the classic Empire State Building, the iconic Top of the Rock, the modern One World Observatory, and the brand new and cool Edge.

However, I can’t lie, my reaction was: another observatory? A fifth one? Really? Well, after visiting it during exclusive preview – as the place opens to the public on October 21st – I can say without hesitation: it’s not just another observatory – it’s THE observatory! I got very interested because the new building would bring something new to the tourist scene in the city: a new observatory, named Summit. I remember when I first heard about the construction of One Vanderbilt, in the heart of Manhattan, next to Grand Central station.

New york observatory