New York's Observatories

[LeCom]

Hey everyone, I've spent much of the past year researching New York's public observatories. Here are the basic results of my research:

[redbaron_012]

Great thread and info.....The only thing I see as a variance is for the ESB. When I visited in 2000 the pinnacle Ob deck was closed maybe because the WTC was there. It was open when I went back in 2007 so I went there..........and not sure about the Rock ? Maybe it was closed for a time as it is completely refurbished, the deck and public spaces inside and below ? I tried to go up the Chrysler and Flatiron but could only get inside the lobbies......and I count myself very lucky to have experienced the inside and rooftop decks of the original WTC.

[desertpunk]

Thanks for the info! Many visitors will be happy to see these great spots to check out NYC!

[desertpunk]

But wait, there's more!

NY Times

Bidders Compete to Run Trade Center Observatory, 1,200 Feet Up

By CHARLES V. BAGLI
Published: May 7, 2012


(NY Observer)

Seven companies submitted bids Monday afternoon to operate what will be New York City’s highest and largest observatory, at 1 World Trade Center, according to real estate executives.

Observation decks like the two at the Empire State Building have become so lucrative that the bidding for the three-level attraction on floors 100 through 102 drew bidders from as far as Canada and France, as well as a local restaurant owner.

Under the plans, five high-speed express elevators will transport visitors more than 1,200 feet above the street to a perch near the top of the tower, for $20 and $25 per person. The observatory will offer unobstructed views of the city, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester and Rockland Counties.

Annual revenues could exceed $100 million.

But the trade center observatory will have to compete not only with the Empire State Building, which draws four million visitors annually, and Top of the Rock, the observatory at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, but also with the Statue of Liberty and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

The seven companies, which were ordered not to discuss their offers, submitted bids to the Durst Organization, which owns 1 World Trade Center with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The owners did not return calls seeking comment, but real estate executives briefed on the submissions identified the following bidders:

¶ Montparnasse 56 USA, an affiliate of the French firm that runs an observatory and roof terrace at the Montparnasse Tower in Paris.

¶ Legends Hospitality Management, which runs food services and merchandising at Yankee Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

¶ Danny Meyer, who owns a string of local restaurants, including Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke and Shake Shack, and concessions at Citi Field and the Saratoga Race Course. He teamed up with GSM Projects, a Canadian firm.

¶ Aramark, a large food services company.

¶ Anthony E. Malkin, who operates the Empire State Building. Its 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories generate over $60 million a year in profit, more than any other deck. In the last decade, annual attendance has climbed to four million, from three million.

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I'm surprised no mention of rooftop parking garages were mentioned because that is usually where I go to take my photos!

[600West218]

actually, this leaves out some of the best viewing spots that the public has access to - I guess because they aren't formally observatories.

The WTC observatory will be a big addition when it returns.

There are several buildings in Times Square alone that have balconies that are great for photos. You just have to know where they are and how to get there!

Oh and it's not limited to Times Square either -- that was just one of many places.
Rockefeller Center is another!