New York City’s newest must-see attraction opened in
spectacular fashion this morning with a performance by aerial dancers dangling
1,000 ft. above Hudson Yards.
The feat by vertical performers Bandaloop marked the public
opening of Edge, the highest outdoor skydeck in the Western Hemisphere and part
of the new Hudson Yards community built over the west side rail yards in
Manhattan.
Developers Related Companies and Oxford Properties, along
with architects KPF and Rockwell Group and the city’s tourism organization, NYC
& Company, hosted a press preview ahead of the first ticketed sales.
Related CEO Jeff Blau said they decided to go ahead with the
opening despite the coronavirus outbreak that hit the city last week and has
led to the cancellation of many public events.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we will be operating at a
reduced capacity until the virus is contained,” Blau said, noting that, once
the virus scare is over, Edge will welcome a New York City school group every
week for a free visit.
For the rest of the general public, $36 ($31 for kids) will
let you walk out onto the Edge from the 100th floor of 20 Hudson Yards. It is a
triangular platform made in 15 sections, each weighing between 35,000 and
100,000 pounds, bolted together and anchored to the east and south sides of the
building.
The 7,500 s/f viewing area is surrounded by 79 glass panels, each weighing 1,400 pounds, and a glass floor that looks straight down to the city streets. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), the Edge has been hailed as “a marvel of modern engineering and structural design.”
“I need to thank the incredible team who made this feat of architecture and design a reality and who helped us build something awe-inspiring and sure to become one of the most beloved places in all of New York,” said Blau.
To mark the opening, Edge has also launched a nightly light
show designed by L’Observatoire International which will run from sunset to
midnight daily through April 4.
The experience also offers visitors access to a bar, located
on the 100th floor, and the restaurant Peak on the 101st floor operated by
hospitality group, RHC.
Hudson Yards is now home to over 100 shops and restaurants
run by a slew of celebrity chefs as well as The Shed cultural center, The Vessel
spiral staircase, 14 acres of public plazas, gardens and groves, the world’s
first Equinox Hotel, hundreds of new apartments and leading corporations
including Facebook, Warner Media, Wells Fargo, KKR and Blackrock.
According to Related, the mall alone saw more than 20 million visitors last year.
