Empire State Building Observatory

Empire State Building Observatory
Name	Empire State Building Observatory
Location	Manhattan, New York City, New York
Coordinates	40.748817°N 73.985428°W
Completion date	1931
Height	1,454 ft (antenna)
Architect	Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Owner	Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Building Observatory The Empire State Building Observatory is the public observation complex housed within the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Serving as a landmark viewpoint since 1931, it attracts millions of visitors annually and offers panoramic vistas of Manhattan, Hudson River, East River, and landmarks such as Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and Times Square. The observatory functions as both a tourist attraction and an urban icon linked to prominent figures, corporations, and events including King Kong (1933 film), World War II‑era publicity, and modern media campaigns.

History

The observatory opened during the Great Depression alongside the wider completion of the Empire State Building project, a venture developed by John J. Raskob, Alfred E. Smith, and the firms Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and Starrett Brothers and Eken. Early promotional tours emphasized views toward New Jersey, Queens, and Brooklyn, and the site quickly supplanted earlier viewpoints such as the Singer Building and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower. Wartime era events involved United States Army Air Forces overflights and temporary closures, while postwar decades saw visits by dignitaries including Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. The observatory was central to cinematic moments in King Kong (1933 film) and later featured in sequences with celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and directors such as Merian C. Cooper. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, ownership transitions to entities including Donald Trump‑associated firms and ultimately Empire State Realty Trust influenced capital improvements and commercial strategies.

Design and Architecture

The observatory occupies the 86th‑floor open-air deck and the enclosed 102nd‑floor viewing gallery, integrated into the building’s Art Deco scheme conceived by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon. Structural elements derive from the steel framing techniques used in contemporaneous skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and the Woolworth Building. Interior finishes and lighting schemes reference designers and manufacturers such as Ralph Walker‑era firms and Art Deco fabricators. Elevators originally installed by Otis Elevator Company and later modernized carry visitors through lobby spaces adorned with murals and reliefs, echoing motifs commissioned by financiers including Raskob and civic boosters such as Alfred E. Smith. Sightlines frame civic and cultural properties including Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and One World Trade Center, linking the observatory to the island’s built environment.

Observatory Facilities and Attractions

Primary visitor attractions include the 86th‑floor outdoor deck, the enclosed 102nd‑floor observatory, and interpretive exhibits chronicling the building’s role alongside institutions like The New York Historical Society and Museum of the City of New York. Multimedia installations reference cinematic appearances with artifacts related to King Kong (1933 film), and rotating exhibits have showcased collaborations with entities such as National Geographic and The Weather Channel. Retail operations feature partnerships with brands like American Express and souvenir vendors; dining experiences have included concessions overseen by hospitality groups associated with Harry B. Helmsley and modern restaurateurs. Accessibility upgrades provide elevator access and interpretive audio in multiple languages, and astronomical programming occasionally leverages connections with observatories such as Hayden Planetarium.

Visiting Information

Visitors typically access the observatory via ticketing areas at the building’s Fifth Avenue lobby, with timed‑entry and express options promoted through partnerships with tour operators including Gray Line (bus company) and Viator. Public transit connections include subway stations at 34th Street–Penn Station, 34th Street–Herald Square, and commuter rail services at Pennsylvania Station. Security screening is standard, and seasonal schedules align with daylight cycles and events such as New Year’s Eve and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade weekends. Special‑event bookings accommodate private functions for corporations like CBS and cultural institutions such as Lincoln Center; group rates and educational programs partner with schools and organizations like New York University and Columbia University.

Cultural Impact and Media Appearances

The observatory and its platforms have appeared in hundreds of films, television programs, and works by artists tied to studios and networks including RKO Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, NBC, and ABC. Iconic portrayals include the climax of King Kong (1933 film), sequences in Annie Hall, and establishing shots in contemporary productions by directors such as Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan. The site features in photography by figures like Alfred Eisenstaedt and has been used for publicity stunts involving celebrities including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and athletes associated with teams such as the New York Yankees and New York Knicks. Its silhouette figures in branding for major corporations like AT&T, IBM, and MetLife and in commemorative events coordinated with agencies including New York City Mayor's Office and nonprofit partners like The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Conservation, Management, and Upgrades

Conservation efforts have involved landmark oversight by New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and environmental retrofits aligned with programs by U.S. Green Building Council (LEED) and energy firms such as Johnson Controls. Management under Empire State Realty Trust encompasses leasing, security by firms historically contracted including Securitas affiliates, and partnerships with marketing firms and agencies such as VML for digital outreach. Capital improvements in the 21st century included elevator modernizations with Otis, façade maintenance coordinated with preservationists from American Institute of Architects, and lighting redesigns executed with collaborators like Philips for programmable LED installations used in commemorations tied to organizations such as UNESCO and charitable campaigns run with World Wildlife Fund. Ongoing upgrades balance visitor experience, structural preservation, and collaborations with civic entities including New York City Department of Buildings.

Category:Observation decks in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Manhattan Category:Tourist attractions in New York City