PHOTOS: Empire State Building Debuts New Observatory

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The Empire State Building debuts its new 102nd floor observatory this month, offering visitors 360-degree views from the top of the iconic Midtown skyscraper.

The new observatory caps off a three-phase project to improve the visitor experience at the Empire State Building. The space is accessed from the Fifth Avenue tower's popular 86th-floor observatory by taking a ride on an all-glass elevator that provides a never-before-seen view of the inside of the skyscraper's 200-foot mast.

When visitors exit the elevator they step into the new observatory, which is made up of windows that stretch eight feet from floor to ceiling and offer unobstructed views of New York City.

"The 102nd floor Observatory is the crown jewel of the Empire State Building. We’ve removed all the obstructions and obstacles, giving Guests access to a view that is centrally-located and unrivaled in New York City," Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust, said in a statement.

The Empire State Building Reality Trust previously completed upgrades to the skyscraper's observatory entrance and exhibit space on the second floor. The three-phase project cost an estimated $165 million.

Check out more photos of the new observatory below:

Photos courtesy Evan Joseph Images/Empire State Building Reality Trust