The 1,401-foot-tall One Vanderbilt office tower in East Midtown is home to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, a unique observatory that combines lighting, reflections, sound, and technology with the tower’s expansive views to create the impression that one is hovering above the city. SL Green hired the artist Kenzo Digital to collaborate with Snhetta and Arup on implementing the artist’s notion of an ethereal internal space intertwined with the skyline outside in order to create a really unforgettable destination at the top of One Vanderbilt. Snhetta created the interior spaces in close collaboration with the artist, while Arup contributed the technical know-how to make this vision a reality. The end result is a series of four-floor experiences, starting below ground and ascending to floors 91 through 93, each of which features a unique concept that is brought to life by special lighting, sound, and visual effects. The “Hall of Light,” a curving hallway that gives the impression of “stepping into the sky,” is where the elevator to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt first emerges. The next stop is “Transcendence,” a double-height room that is completely mirrored and has infinite reflections of the metropolis. Then comes “Reflect,” a gallery, and “Affinity,” a room with mirrors and floating reflected spheres. Levitation sky boxes, which are completely transparent and hang guests 1,000 feet in the air with a glass floor view, protrude from the skyscraper above. Separately, the “Unity” mirror room experience boasts a full video wall screen with artwork.

Dynamic lighting creates the mood for ascending to the observatory as visitors approach the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt experience in the lower-level lobby. As passengers ascend the elevator to a height of more than 1,000 feet, the lighting is timed to the audio. The observation deck is open both during the day and at night, and both provide unique experiences. You have a nice view of Central Park throughout the day, and the observation deck’s lighting is ideal for all your Instagram pictures. Because there are so many mirrors, the sunlight is incredibly bright.  It is advisable to carry sunglasses. The “Air” art experience is considerably more dramatic at night than it is during the day. The noises that are performed cause the various colours to emerge and come to life. This enhances the value of the observation deck and the vistas of the city. The Grand Central Terminal’s Main Concourse is where the main entrance is located. Opening hours are from 9:00 to 0:00, with Tuesdays off limits. 90 minutes before closing time is the last entrance time.