One World Trade Center is finally, after years of debate and development, preparing to open its doors next spring. At the top of the structure—on levels 100, 101, and 102—will be the One World Observatory, with unique, panoramic views of New York City from above 1,250 feet.
Guests can explore all three levels of the space. When they enter, guests will be greeted in the Welcome Center, where a large video board will display a personalized greeting in their native language. Guests will then proceed to a pre-show program, titled Voices of the Building that will incorporate first-person accounts describing the rise of One World Trade Center, and Foundations, which depicts and symbolizes the very bedrock upon which it stands.
Visitors will board one of five dedicated elevators, called Sky Pods, to ascend to the very top of the building in under 60 seconds. The elevators will have three walls with floor-to-ceiling LED TVs, which will use immersive technology to display the rise and growth of New York City, simulating the skyline’s development through the present day.
The Sky Pod elevators will bring passengers directly to the See Forever Theater on the 102nd floor. The See Forever Theater will present a two-minute video presentation combining bird’s-eye imagery, time-lapse shots, and abstract textures and patterns.
The main observatory space on the 100th floor will include an interactive skyline “concierge” – City Pulse – that will connect guests closer to the landmarks and neighborhoods they observe across the city. Global ambassadors will be stationed at City Pulse to engage with guests, facilitate requests for more information and share stories of the city. Using gesture recognition technology, the ambassador—with the simple wave of a hand—will draw up relevant facts and real-time information on a circular band of display screens in front of the windows.
The 100th level also features the Sky Portal, where guests will be invited to step onto a 14-foot-wide circular disc in the floor for an unforgettable view (in live HD) of the city streets below.
Dining and Events
One World Observatory will also have three distinct dining options on the 101st floor available to guests with Observatory tickets, including seated fine dining to casual, on-the-go café fare, and a bar. 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 330. The premier space will include floor-to-ceiling uninterrupted views and sound system with HD projection capabilities.
Tickets
Admission tickets to One World Observatory will go on-sale in early 2015, at a future date to be determined. Guest admission for adults ages 13-64 will be $32. Guest admission for children ages 6-12 will be $26, and guest admissions for seniors ages 65+ will be $30. Guests 5 and under will be admitted at no charge but must have a ticket to enter. When released, tickets will be available for purchase online at www.oneworldobservatory.com. Once the venue is officially open, tickets will also be available for purchase at the box office. All tickets will be valid for a specific time and date.
Group rates, for 20 or more, will also be available to travel professionals, corporate groups, organizations, schools and camps. For more information on Group Sales, visit www.oneworldobservatory.com/groups.
Good to know: The Observatory will offer complimentary admission tickets to 9/11 family members and 9/11 rescue and recovery workers. Special discounts will be offered to active and retired members of the U.S. military.