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Behold Summit, NYC's Newest Observatory With Vertigo-Inducing Glass Balcony
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 15, 2021
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Jake Dobkin / Gothamist
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 15, 2021
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Sure, you've seen the city from man-made heights before—we've got plenty of skyscrapers providing sweeping views. But those will all seem downright quaint compared to the latest offering: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. The Midtown attraction, which will open in October, delivers a "euphoric, multisensory experience," according to a bold claim in the press release. Serving up more than just views, the entire space stretches over 65,000 square feet, but was designed to appear boundless.
Part observatory, part immersive experience, part sensory space, part mirror-laden selfie church, the four levels look like they were designed to let the city wash over you. The experience even comes with a vertigo-inducing glass-bottom floor, perfect for the person who just wants to feel something, anything.
There are a few components to the experience, starting with Ascent, "the all-glass enclosed elevators which travel up the outside of the skyscraper to unveil breathtaking views at the highest vantage point of Midtown at 1,210 feet above New York City."
Then there's Levitation, "the fully transparent glass sky boxes that suspend guests at 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue."
The art installation is called Air, which is meant to be a "walk-through experience and story of both literal and figurative reflection." According to artist Kenzo Digital, this portion is meant to compel you "to live in the present moment: calm, aware and free."
Since you will be hungry after these transcendent experiences, there's also Apres. That's a Nordic-themed cafe with culinary offerings led by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events. They'll also have an outdoor bar, and, why not, "the highest urban outdoor alpine meadow in the world."
Summit from afar.
Courtesy of SL Green, Kenzo Design
Photographer Jake Dobkin gave it “five out of five roofies,” our newly formed imaginary rating system for rooftop observation decks, and noted that the glass-bottomed balcony is “really quite overwhelming."
But at 1,210 feet, how would it look next to our other tall boys? One World Trade Center is at 1,250 feet; Edge at 30 Hudson Yards at 1,100 feet; and the Empire State Building at 1,050 feet.
Courtesy of Summit at One Vanderbilt
Courtesy of Summit at One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located at the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, and opens October 21st. Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $39 to $73. (Adult NYC residents get a rate starting at $34.)
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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