The highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere is set to reopen at Hudson Yards
Photo © Dana Schulz for 6sqft
Edge, the 1,100-foot-tall outdoor observation deck at Hudson Yards, is expected to reopen next week with safety precautions taken to “new heights.” The sky-high deck first opened to the public on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards in March, only to close two days later because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, as New York City prepares to enter phase four of reopening, Related Companies says visitors could start experiencing Edge as soon as July 20, with new timed-entry tickets and public health measures created in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System.
As required by the state’s phase four guidelines, the observation deck will only operate at 25 percent of capacity and will require all visitors over the age of 2 years old to wear face coverings. Face coverings will be provided to anyone who needs one.
Staff will be taking the temperature of every guest and employee before entering Edge, using a “state-of-the-art, no contact thermal scanners.” No one with a temperature of over 100 degrees will be able to visit and refunds will be given. Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the site.
Tickets will be available for purchase online and will for one-hour time slots to help reduce overcrowding and long lines. Self-service kiosks will be out of service at the site, so visitors are encouraged to buy tickets online in advance. To buy tickets at Edge, there will be QR codes to buy them on mobile devices. Tickets are $36 for adults, $31 for children ages 6 to 12, and $34 for seniors age 62 and older.
Floor markings will be installed to help visitors maintain distance, a one-way system of travel will be implemented, and protective partitions have been added at some locations, including at the box office, the gift store, and the bar. All food and beverages will be served outside.
The elevators are contactless thanks to “Edge Ambassadors,” will operate at reduced capacity, and are able to travel to the 100th floor in under a minute. The ambassadors will also be opening doors for visitors.
All indoor spaces will use dual-layer MERV-rated filtration systems that remove airborne particles. There will be increased cleaning of high-touch areas with a nightly deep cleaning in both the front and back of house areas.
Edge, along with Hudson Yards’ giant shopping mall and the Vessel, which already requires tickets, will open as early as July 20, if the city gets cleared to enter phase four as expected.
RELATED:
