YIMBY Checks Out the Views From One Vanderbilt’s 1,020-Foot-High Observatory, in Midtown

One Vanderbilt, photo by Andrew Nelson rendering by Jose Hernandez

YIMBY got a sneak peek of the views from One Vanderbilt‘s future three-story, indoor and outdoor observatory, which is situated 1,020 feet above Midtown East. The upcoming 77-story supertall office skyscraper is designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by SL Green. The tapering steel structure will soon terminate in a staggered, illuminated crown topped with an architectural spire that will push the project’s total height to 1,401 feet.

One Vanderbilt seen from Vanderbilt Avenue and 43rd Street. Photo by Michael Young

Photos from the outdoor portion of the observatory highlight the views looking north toward Billionaires’ Row and south toward the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center.

Looking north at Billioniares’ Row. Photo by Michael Young

Looking west toward Times Square. Photo by Michael Young

Looking east at the Chrysler Building and Long Island City. Photo by Michael Young

The view looking toward Lower Manhattan. Photo by Michael Young

A close-up of th MetLife sign. Photo by Michael Young

A close-up shot of 425 Park Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.

A close-up shot of Madison House, aka 126 Madison Avenue. Photo by Michael Young

Looking at The XI, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, Photo by Michael Young

Grand Central Terminal. Photo by Michael Young

A large number of steel columns and beams are continuing to be lifted and welded atop the observatory level. The multiple setbacks should be more apparent in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the construction crane on the southern end of the upper floor plates should remain atop the building until the installation of the crown is finished.

The north side of upper floors. Photo by Michael Young

The terracotta and glass curtain wall is reaching the second row of mechanical floors, as indicated by the change in pattern of the envelope.

One Vanderbilt in late July. Photo by Michael Young

A close-up of the crane and upper floors being built. Photo by Michael Young

One Vanderbilt is expected to be completed next year.

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14 Comments on "YIMBY Checks Out the Views From One Vanderbilt’s 1,020-Foot-High Observatory, in Midtown"

  1. I just don’t understand. Are there really this many uber-rich people that we need so many luxury buildings? We need affordable and low-income housing. Don’t you think? Do you think most of these luxury buildings get sold out?

    • Florian Dietsche | August 17, 2019 at 5:10 pm | Reply

      One Vanderbilt is actually an office building.

    • According to the USMetro Wealth Index: “New York still towers over the rest of the country when it comes to sheer numbers of super-wealthy residents with 727,100, up 1 percent from 2010.” Yes, that’s 3/4 million millionaires here in NYC not counting millions worldwide who are investors in NYC real estate. So, yes, there that many “uber-rich”. They have to live somewhere and Duluth and Des Moines were not in the running.

  2. David in Bushwick | August 5, 2019 at 9:48 am | Reply

    Lovely views, but just how many more observation platforms does NYC really need?
    Instead of charging $30, put in a bar and the place will be packed.

    • How many more bars does NYC really need?
      Tis better to observe than to imbibe.
      What’s the matter- don’t you like tourists?
      The view towards billionaires alley highlights how out of place and ugly those buildings hulks are.
      Like their future residents no doubt.

    • I like the view north. Every decade of 20th and 21st century architecture well represented.

  3. Holy sh*t. That view of chrysler building is so sexy! This will be the best spot to behold the beauty.

  4. I disagree. Those “Billionaire’s Row” look awesome. But wish they were at least 1,800′ And calling the future residents “ugly” is totally uncalled for. Envy?

  5. Kerry John McElwain | August 5, 2019 at 6:52 pm | Reply

    NEVER CAN UNDERSTAND THESE NIMBY’S NOR WOULD I NEVER WANT TO … JUST MOVE TO CUBA THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY BUT DON’T MESS WITH OUR COUNTRY

  6. I think the views from One Vanderbilt are much better than the views of One Vanderbilt!

  7. Mark Thompson | August 7, 2019 at 7:03 am | Reply

    I’m deeply disturbed by the lax attitude to safety on US construction sites – those catch nets would be incapable of stopping anything of substance from falling!

  8. Did anyone else notice those chairs behind the MetLife sign?!

  9. Yes, that was the location of the Copter Club, a wonderful and fancy restaurant which closed some twenty years ago. If there is a replacement restaurant I don’t know. I have eaten there often – Copter Club because the helicopters would land atop the Pan Am Building (original name) shuttled from LaGuardia.

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