One Vanderbilt offers a sneak peek at its four-storey observation deck

ONE VANDERBILT, New York City’s latest supertall skyscraper, is getting ready to open the doors to its four-storey observation deck.

Designed by Snøhetta, an Oslo-based interior design firm, the sprawling tourist attraction will include an all-glass enclosed elevator which scales the exterior of the building, an outdoor terrace complete with dining options, and unfettered views of the iconic city.

The building’s prime location in Midtown Manhattan allows for views of all five boroughs, the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River and (of course) the Empire State Building.

Scheduled to open in October, more than a year after the building opened in September 2020, the building’s developer SL Green Realty Corp is hoping to compete with the myriad of other observation decks already operational in the city - including the recently completed “The Edge” at Hudson Yards.

Above: Summit One Vanderbilt will offer unfettered views of New York. Image Courtesy of SL Green.

SL Green is betting on the building’s incredible vantage point as well as Snøhetta’s vision.

The entire space has been designed as an experience from the moment you enter on the 90th level, right through to when you ascend to the 93rd.

Snøhetta has called “Summit One Vanderbilt” a journey through light, sound, and art.

“In addition to the exciting artistic works, Snøhetta has created an elegant interior design that naturally guides visitors through an uplifting experience,” the firm’s founder told Forbes.

Above: Attractions include a completely transparent box suspended over Madison Avenue. Image courtesy of SL Green.

“From the spacious and calm entrance hall to the dramatic lobbies above, Snøhetta has designed a continuous yet evolving adventure.

“This culminates with the landscape design of one of the world’s highest gardens at the top of The Summit. Each space is sensitively considered to ensure the optimum experience within a changing dynamic as one is transported from the ground to the sky and back.”

One Vanderbilt is designed by architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and occupies a whole block adjacent to Grand Central Terminal.

The USD $3.3BN skyscraper was in development since the early 2000s and has taken inspiration from the neighbouring Chrysler Building and Empire State Building in both its tapering form and crowning spire, yet at 427-metres it is taller than both.

To learn more about One Vanderbilt watch our documentary:

Header image courtesy of SL Green.