The Empire State Building Observatory

Client: The Empire State Building Observatory / Empire State Realty Trust

Type: Exhibit Design / Experiential Design

Services: Creative Direction / Creative Strategy / Experiential Design

Project Partners: THINC Design, IDEO, Squint/Opera, Corgan, The Lighting Practice, Diversified, Intersection, Kubik/Maltbie, JLL, Skanska, Tenguerian Architectural Models, et al.

As the first creative team engaged by the owner for this project, I led the initial creative efforts to define and express the vision for a brand new Observatory.

Collaborating with senior Observatory leadership, including the majority shareholder as well as key international stakeholders and investors, we advised and helped recruit the project teams that would be needed to bring this $165 million project to fruition.

From the 1st floor to the 102nd, I served as our team lead throughout the life of the project. Led by Empire State Realty Trust and THINC Design, I had the opportunity to consult on every detail directly with the Observatory and an incredible group of architects, designers, artists, producers, project managers, and construction teams.

After more than 4 years of development, the renovation opened in 2019, attracting over 4 million people each year. 

In 2022, the new Observatory Experience was named #1 Attraction in the United States by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.