SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is an observation deck in New York located at the top of the 93-story skyscraper One Vanderbilt. This place can give you a wide range of breathtaking emotions.
In addition to panoramic views, SUMMIT impresses with immersive installations, mirror rooms reminiscent of the film Inception, and unique glass elevators that travel along the exterior of the building. For this reason, the observation deck is worth visiting even for the most experienced travelers.
What can you see from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT is located on the upper floors of One Vanderbilt, which stands next to Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Madison Avenue.
At a height of about 300 meters, you get what is arguably one of the best views of New York, with the Empire State Building as the highlight. Thanks to its central location in Manhattan, the deck offers views of all five boroughs, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, and the lights of Times Square.
The observatory spans three levels: the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd floors of One Vanderbilt. Each level contains several rooms, including one covered in mirrors where it is easy to feel as if you are inside the film Inception.
“The space creates the illusion of infinite openness, transforming the world into a boundless universe without fixed form or limits.”
On other levels, there are additional attractions, including a glass-floor room where you feel as if you are walking in the air directly above Madison Avenue, as well as a room filled with floating mirrored spheres. On the top level, there is an open-air bar, along with glass elevators that take you even higher.
Incidentally, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt features the only elevator in the city where light and sound effects allow you to feel the ascent to the top of a skyscraper.
History and architecture of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
The skyscraper housing SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was designed by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. It became one of the most expensive projects in New York, with a cost of 3.3 billion United States dollars. The building stands 427 meters tall and ranks as the fourth tallest building in the city.
Interior design was handled by SL Green and Snøhetta. The main tenant of the building is the Canadian bank TD (Toronto Dominion).
On the ground floor of One Vanderbilt, there is the restaurant Le Pavillon, opened by renowned French chef Daniel Boulud.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the completion of construction was slightly delayed. The long-awaited opening of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt took place on October 21, 2021.
Advantages and disadvantages of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Advantages:
- The newest and one of the most visually striking observation decks, with glass floors and ceilings that make photos look like scenes from a science fiction film;
- At a height of over 310 meters, there are three floors of entertainment, including a room with mirrored spheres, contemporary art, photo spots, and digital video walls—ideal for those who enjoy creating content;
- Two beautiful bars at the top, including one open-air bar;
- A fully glass elevator that takes you even higher for an additional fee;
Disadvantages:
- The main drawback is the need to reserve a time slot in advance, especially around sunset;
- You should plan to spend at least two to three hours to fully enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace.
Visitor information
Tickets can be purchased on the official website summitov.com
Admissiom: from $42. Please note that visiting during sunset adds 10 United States dollars to the ticket price.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is located at 45 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. You can get there by subway: lines 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd Street Grand Central station, or lines B, D, F, M to 42nd Street.
