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objectimpermanence t1_j1xnoce wrote

I can get behind this. I’m a sucker for observation decks.

30 Hudson has amazing views from the top floor. The completely unobstructed view of the harbor to the south is mesmerizing.

1 WTC has the only public observatory with a similar view, but even there you can’t avoid the buildings in the foreground.

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D_Empire412 OP t1_j1xoygl wrote

Why don't they do this? They could likely make more money from an observatory than from office rent.

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objectimpermanence t1_j252qhr wrote

At least as of a couple years ago, the top floor was occupied by the building’s owner (Goldman Sachs). Presumably they are happy to keep the view for themselves.

Also, a public observation deck would require a couple of dedicated elevators to keep the public and the office tenants separated. Since you can’t easily add new elevator shafts to an occupied office building, the only other option is to take away elevators from the existing occupants. That would be a pretty big deal because companies in a building like that don’t want their employees to waste time waiting for elevators.

And they would probably need to build a separate lobby for the observatory for security reasons.

It’s not impossible to do, but I imagine the costs would quickly add up.

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D_Empire412 OP t1_j2597t4 wrote

With destination dispatch, you could use fewer elevators with better efficiency.

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JCYimby t1_j22i52m wrote

Probably don’t want to disturb the office tenants with the tourist traffic.

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D_Empire412 OP t1_j22iwyf wrote

Easy solution. Make a separate entrance and dedicate two elevators to the observatory.

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