Could Jersey City do better?

Submitted by D_Empire412 t3_zwjhxr in jerseycity

I Visited ALL 5 NYC Observation Decks in Just 1 Day! - YouTube

​

All the observatories in this video are really expensive and mostly just offer variations of the same view since they're all on the island of Manhattan. I think a JC observatory with a ticket price under $30 would be really successful as JC has a different perspective, where views from the tallest buildings feel like riding a helicopter along the Hudson. Plus, there won't be nearly as many crowds.

8

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Blecher_onthe_Hudson t1_j1xkke9 wrote

What we need is a cable tramway over the Hudson! When it isn't full of commuters it'll be full of tourists!

17

D_Empire412 OP t1_j1xm4nb wrote

I think a skyscraper observatory would be better. I think the developers of 99 Hudson should delist or buy back the top floor penthouses, and turn it into one big observatory. The views would be incredible and offer a viewpoint more similar to a helicopter.

1

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.

12

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.

1

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.

1

D_Empire412 OP t1_j2597t4 wrote

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

0

JCYimby t1_j22i52m wrote

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

0

D_Empire412 OP t1_j22iwyf wrote

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

0

kulgan t1_j1yofkq wrote

We have pretty good views of Manhattan from the ground.

11

Brudesandwich t1_j1ypbyk wrote

I think its because most of our high rises are residential, i highly doubt the residents would want random people in and out of the buildings they live in. We would need more office buildings, which would require a focus on job creation.

Plus, you can just go to Blvd East and get the same view for free. Not that we shouldn't have observation decks, whatever brings in more money is welcomed.

8

D_Empire412 OP t1_j1zak7y wrote

I think 99 Hudson could be perfect for an observatory, especially as the top floors likely remain unsold and they have multiple banks of elevators. Perhaps, they could lock off two elevators exclusively to observatory visitors. Alternatively, 30 Hudson could work as it's an office building and has 36 elevators.

1

Economy-Cupcake808 t1_j2dx3cm wrote

Building offices in this economy is an enormous gamble. Even in nyc you can practically name your own terms when renting office space.

1

Brudesandwich t1_j2dxaho wrote

I know that's my point. No one would be willing to do it

1

walking_NewJersey t1_j1y07iw wrote

Agreed! If Jersey City opens an observation deck (maybe on top of 30 Hudson, for example) that would be a new attraction here with amazing views of Jersey City and NYC. I wish they make an observation deck here, I would definitely visit it.

1

RGE27 t1_j1zjlcx wrote

There needs to be a commercial one. Most buildings are residential. JC needs more commercial real estate.

1

FloatingWeight t1_j1zm1xi wrote

In this climate hard to say JC needs more commercial when Manhattan commercial market is doing so poor. Look at the shift Mack Cali made to residential

4

D_Empire412 OP t1_j1zneh9 wrote

I don't think an observatory in a residential building is a terrible idea. Just incorporate a separate entrance and express elevators. 99 Hudson already has multiple banks of elevators.

0

RGE27 t1_j202ffv wrote

That’s true, I used to live in JC and the lack of coffee shops, grocery shopping options, restaurants, etc was surprising. I shouldn’t have to walk 15 minutes to get to the bars/ restaurants.

0

jgweiss t1_j20a8ld wrote

assuredly it wouldn't be too big a project to retrofit the top 2-3 floors of the Goldman Sachs building into an indoor deck..

1