NYC’s newest observation deck Summit One Vanderbilt officially opens

Midtown’s tallest office tower opened its observation deck this week, adding to the city’s ever-growing list of sky-high, for-sale spectacles. Designed by Snøhetta, One Vanderbilt’s Summit stretches across floors 91 through 93 at the 1,401-foot-tall tower and offers incredible views across a 65,000-square-foot multi-level entertainment venue about 1,000 feet in the air. Tickets start at $39 for general admission and climb to $83 for evening admission that comes with a cocktail.

Summit offers visitors two thrill experiences. “Levitation” includes fully transparent glass “skyboxes” that suspend guests over 1,060 feet above Madison Avenue. For the more daring, “Ascent” is an all-glass elevator (even the floor) that takes guests over 1,200 feet up the side of the building.

Ascent is accessed through the open-air terrace, which wraps around the south and west sides of One Vanderbilt and provides views for up to 60 miles, as 6sqft previously reported. The terrace is home to the Nordic-themed cafe Apres, which provides light fare and cocktails from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.

While views of the city’s landmarks like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Central Park are no doubt incredible from Summit, the art installation is maybe even more dazzling.

Created by Kenzo Digital, Air is a walk-through art experience with three sides of mirrors, including the floor and ceiling, distorting the cityscape and immersing guests within it at the same time. The installation is made up of several “chapters,” starting with a dark tunnel that leads to an elevator ride of flashing lights, reaching 1,000 feet in just 42 seconds.

“The energy in New York City is palpable and we’re thrilled that SUMMIT One Vanderbilt can play a central role in its rebound as visitors come rushing back to the greatest city in the world,” Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green Realty.

“We set out to create a truly unique destination for New Yorkers and visitors from around the world to explore and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt delivers – you need to experience it to understand it. From thrilling ways to take in the best views of Manhattan to the multi-level and multi-room immersive art experience called AIR, we expect people to visit again and again.”

Located next to Grand Central, the 77-story One Vanderbilt officially opened to office tenants last September. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the building is the city’s fourth-tallest tower, with Summit now the fourth-highest observation deck, behind One World Trade Center, Edge at 30 Hudson Yards, and the Empire State Building.

Summit One Vanderbilt is now open Thursday through Sunday. Get tickets here.

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• Summit One Vanderbilt reveals 1,000-foot-high mirrored art experience
• Pre-register now for tickets to One Vanderbilt’s 1,000+ foot observation deck and glass skyboxes
• In Midtown, 1,401-foot One Vanderbilt is officially open