The highest outdoor observation deck in the western hemisphere has just opened in New York City.
The ‘Edge’ – a $25 billion Hudson Yards development in Manhattan – officially opened to the public on Wednesday.
Soaring 100 floors, the viewing platform is a record 1,131 feet from the ground.
It boasts views of NYC, New York state and New Jersey that span up to 80 miles.
The attraction has angled glass walls that people can lean and a glass floor that shows the 100-floor drop below.
The first of the visitors flocked to the viewing deck on Wednesday and were spotted lying on the glass floor to take in the views.
The ‘Edge’ – a $25 billion Hudson Yards development in Manhattan – officially opened to the public on Wednesday
Visitors flocked to the attraction on Wednesday during its opening day to pose for photos 1,000 feet up in the air
The attraction has angled glass walls that people can lean and a glass floor that shows the 100-floor drop below
Vertical performers Bandaloop performed at the opening and could be seen dancing along the 1000-foot building while strapped to harnesses.
Edge will be open seven days a week year-round from 8am to midnight. General admission adult tickets are $36 online, while child tickets are $31. New York City residents can buy adult tickets online for $34. Special rates available for seniors, active and retired members of the U.S. military and groups.
‘You’ve never experienced New York like this before,’ said Jason Horkin, Executive Director of Hudson Yards Experiences.
‘Stepping onto Edge is like walking out into the sky. The entire experience is designed to inspire visitors and ignite a new passion for New York City with multiple, built-in thrill elements that ensure Edge becomes a must-see local attraction and a top spot on every travelers’ bucket list.’
Hudson Yards is a complex of high-rises on Manhattan’s West Side with luxury commercial and residential space, including about 100 shops and restaurants such as Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus.
The sprawling 18 million-square-foot complex is the city’s most ambitious development since the rebuilding of the World Trade Center.
Half of the 28-acre mini-city by the Hudson River was completed last year when Hudson Yards officially opened. The rest will be done by 2025.
The Edge boasts views of New York City, New York state and New Jersey that span up to 80 miles
Tourists pose for photos at Edge – the new observation deck on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards on Wednesday
Tourists were pictured sitting on the glass floor of the observation deck on Wednesday
Edge is the western hemisphere’s highest outdoor sky deck at more than 1,000 feet high
Soaring 100 floors, the viewing platform is a record 1,131 feet from the ground
The new observation deck is at Hudson Yards, which is the city’s most ambitious development since the rebuilding of the World Trade Center.
The view from above: Edge offers 360-degree views of New York City’s iconic skyline, rising 1,131 feet in the air from the heart of Hudson Yards
Tourists pose for photos at Edge during its opening day on Wednesday
Jeff Blau, Chief Executive Officer and a partner of Related Companies, speaks at the opening of Edge
When fully complete it will include 16 towers of homes and offices, a hotel, a school, a performing arts center and the shopping mall.
Condos start at $3million and range up to $32million, but there will be 1,100 units of affordable housing.
The Vessel is the star of the complex doubling as art and a commercial structure. Walkers that cross its eight levels and follow its circular path end up walking a full mile.
However, the name Vessel is temporary and visitors are encouraged to pitch name ideas for the sculpture.
The urban complex is expected to generate new jobs and opportunities for New Yorkers.
The Hudson Yards is the largest privately built real estate project ever in the US, constructed over 28 acres of a working rail yard on the west side of Manhattan.
Constructing the deck was a tremendous feat of engineering.
The deck made a 4,283-mile journey across the ocean from Italy.
But the engineers found that the long ocean trek was the easy part. The most challenging aspect was the final 10-mile leg in which the deck needed to be moved from the Port of New Jersey to Manhattan’s West Side.
To get the modules across the Hudson River and on to the West Side Highway, officials needed to remove street signs and traffic lights in order to accommodate their sheer size.
View of glass platform seen from below at the opening of Edge, the western hemisphere’s highest outdoor sky deck
The view of downtown Manhattan is pictured above from the Deck at Hudson Yards
Vertical performers Bandaloop performed at the opening and could be seen dancing along the 1000-foot building while strapped to harnesses
The dancers performed off the side of the 1,000 foot observation deck on Wednesday
Edge will be open seven days a week year-round from 8am to midnight. General admission adult tickets are $36 online, while child tickets are $31