Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago103
Now that the new World Trade Center observation deck is open can anyone who has now visited both give insight on the differences between the old and new observation decks. Surely the outdoor deck in the old one made it more unique but how do the indoor decks compare?
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This is just my opinion but here goes:
Top of the World (old 2 WTC)
Overview:
Visitors entered on the 2nd floor which overlooked the lobby below and courtyard outside. After a security screening (added after 93 bombing) visitors entered an large elevator which whisked them to the top. There was no flashy video animation, only a small LCD screen flashing floor numbers at an astonishing speed. As the car closed in on the top, the arrow pointed down, indicating you were slowing down. The doors then opened on floor 107.
The observation deck was fairly plain in design. In later years it featured a virtual helicopter ride around the city, a scale model of the city, food court (typical NY mall food such as Sbarro), gift shop, and 360 degree views of NYC.
Around the perimeter a hallway featured railings and lowered benches for enjoying the view as well as your typical tourist fare of paid binoculars and coin stamping machines. Video screens pointed out interesting sights and NY history was written on the interior walls. Architecturally it was uninspired. Exposed duct work and raw painted metal additions didn't make the space feel like a luxury.
You could take an escalator up past the mechanical space and onto the roof where a wide path circled the building. The path was set back from the edge surrounding the helipad and surrounded by the automated window washer tracks but afforded sweeping views of NY and beyond.
Pros:
- Larger (smaller core)
- Better Window Configuration
- Outdoor Roof Deck
- Better Food Court*
- Model of NYC
- Better Sight Lines
- Higher
Cons:
One World Observatory (new 1 WTC)
Overview:
Visitors can enter from either the West Street plaza or via the underground passageway. Behind the underground security screening a video wall welcomes guests and shows where visitors are from in real time as tickets are scanned. Next visitors pass video screens talking about the challenges faced and stories from constructing the building. After passing through a Disneyland feeling hallways of "bedrock", visitors load into one of 5 "skypod" elevators which feature 3 walls of floor to ceiling video screens. After arriving on floor 102, visitors pass through the "See Forever Theater" which shows a video about NYC before exposing the views outside.
The observatory feels very polished and high end. Marble floors, clean walls and recessed lighting frame the space. Compass directions are embedded in the floors. The observatory features a formal restaurant, high end bar, casual eatery, and a gift shop. The top of the building is diagonal to the NYC grid, affording views to the NW, NE, SE, and SW. In the North and South corners there are "City Pulse" systems which are a circle of LCDs and a person in the middle controlling them via motion. There is also a "Sky Portal" which features a LCD screens on the ground showing video of the west side highway below.
The elevator ride down features another video animation and on your way out you pass a booth selling a photo taken of you at the top.
Pros:
- Expensive look and feel. Very polished.
- SkyPod Elevator rides
- See Forever theater
- Better Food*
- Multiple levels
Cons:
- Windows frequently blocked by sitting visitors
- Massive window glare
- City Pulse are large, loud and block views
- Tiny view directly uptown squeezed behind a City Pulse
Comparison
My opinion is that the original tower did it better. The new deck feels like someone spent a TON of money for not that much gain. Sure the space is nice, but it feels very controlled, very sterile. I don't think it connects with the city or the environment that well. It feels more like a Disney attraction designed for tourist than a viewing platform for NY.
The original had a food court. You could grab pizza, and a table and not spend a fortune. The new deck features 'artisan' foods and there are virtually no tables anywhere.
There's also no seating. The original had benches along the windows, which allowed visitors to sit and watch the city, while others could look out over their heads. Without any seating tired visitors take refuge on the vents along the windows. This blocks other guests from looking out unless you want to awkwardly stand over someone else.
While the theater was well done, the city pulses are just annoying. The sky portal is also a silly waste of space. The multi-level space was a nice touch. The double height ceilings in the corners really make the space feel large and airy.
The original wasn't nearly as polished and clean. Exposed ducts and unfinished ceilings didn't evoke luxury like the new one does, but it did fit in well with the grittiness of NYC. The outdoor observation deck was unbeatable and incomparable to the new tower.
Conclusion
Overall, the new One World Observatory is decadent and a pleasurable expirience. It'll surely draw millions of visitors with it's spectacular views. Unfortunately though, I found it underwhelming, and felt that it lost most of the magic of the original. Despite the NY movie in the theater, and the City Pulse, it feels disconnected from the city below. I also felt that not including seating anywhere, or a single pair of binoculars was a miss. The Observatory is decked out in gadgets and TV screens, but that further disconnects you from the outside. The energy efficient windows reflect all interior light and due to the angled orientation of the building, trying to take a picture at night will more likely result in a photo of the guy standing behind you rather than the city outside.