One World Observatory has announced that its official public opening date will be Friday 29 May 2015.
Positioned on top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – on levels 100, 101, and 102 of the One World Trade Center building – One World Observatory is set to provide guests with unique, panoramic views of New York City, its most iconic sites, and surrounding waters from above 1,250 feet. A customised guest experience will complement the seemingly endless views – which evoke feelings of the City’s signature pride, hope and determination – and include exhibits and dining options, including a sit-down restaurant.
Upon entry, guests will be greeted in the Global Welcome Center, where a large video board will feature salutations in an array of languages, and a dynamically generated world map will highlight the hometowns of visitors. Guests will then proceed to a pre- show program, titled Voices, which tells the personal stories of the men and women who built One World Trade Center, and Foundations, which displays facts about the very bedrock on which the building stands. Visitors will board one of five dedicated elevators, termed Sky Pods, to ascend to the 102nd floor in under 60 seconds. Immersive, floor-to-ceiling LED technology in each cab invites guests to experience a virtual time-lapse that recreates the development of New York City’s skyline from the 1600s to present day.
The Sky Pod elevators, among the fastest in the world, will bring passengers directly to the See ForeverTM Theater on the 102nd floor. The See ForeverTM Theater will present a two-minute video presentation that combines bird’s eye imagery, time-lapse shots with abstract textures and patterns to present the unique rhythm and pulse of New York City to dramatic life in three dimensions.
The Main Observatory space on the 100th floor will include an interactive skyline “concierge” – City Pulse – that allows guests to deeply connect with the landmarks and neighborhoods they observe from above. At City Pulse, global ambassadors will be stationed under a ring of HD video monitors and outfitted in gesture recognition technology, summoning imagery to the screens and providing guests with close-up views and personalized recommendations.
The Main Observatory also features the Sky Portal where guests are invited to step onto a 14- foot wide circular disc that will deliver an unforgettable view, using real-time, high-definition footage of the streets below.
One World Observatory will also offer three dining options on the 101st floor available to guests with Observatory tickets, including access to curated eateries from casual café fare to seated fine-dining. Catering will be available on the 102nd floor, which will operate as a 9,300 square foot special event space with a maximum capacity of 300. The premier space will include floor-to-ceiling, uninterrupted views, high-end décor and an exclusive, customizable experience with a state-of-the-art sound system and HD projection capabilities.
A start-to-finish visual representation of the guest experience is depicted in the latest video which can be viewed here: https://oneworldobservatory.com/groups/#groups-take-tour.
Complimentary admission will be offered to 9/11 family members and the rescue and recovery workers who responded on 9/11 and in the months after with special discounts offered to active and retired members of the U.S. military.
