Observation deck

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The Edge at 30 Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan, the highest outdoor deck containing optically transparent flooring in the world, looking toward Lower Manhattan, opened in 2020. Edge HY.jpg
The Edge at 30 Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan, the highest outdoor deck containing optically transparent flooring in the world, looking toward Lower Manhattan, opened in 2020.
View from the Shanghai Tower observation deck. View on the observatory level of Shanghai Tower.jpg
View from the Shanghai Tower observation deck.
Visitors on the observation deck of the Skylon Tower, which overlooks Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls - ON - Skylon Tower (Aussichtsdeck).jpg
Visitors on the observation deck of the Skylon Tower, which overlooks Niagara Falls.
The observation deck from the TK Elevator Test Tower, which overlooks Germany's Black Forest and the Alps Thyssenkrupp Testturm - Aussichtsplattform aussen.jpg
The observation deck from the TK Elevator Test Tower, which overlooks Germany's Black Forest and the Alps
Glass balconies attached to the St Eusebius Church in Arnhem, Netherlands. Glass balconies St Eusebius Church Arnhem NL.jpg
Glass balconies attached to the St Eusebius Church in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Footage of the panoramic views during an 1898 ascent of the Eiffel Tower by the Lumière brothers.

An observation deck, observation platform, or viewing platform is an elevated sightseeing platform usually situated upon a tall architectural structure, such as a skyscraper or observation tower. Observation decks are sometimes enclosed from weather, and a few may include coin-operated telescopes for viewing distant features.

Contents

List of public observation decks

List of public observation decks
RankNameCompletion DateTypeCityDeck height (m)Total height (m)Notes
1 Shanghai Tower 2015Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai 562 [1] 632121st floor; decks are also on 118th and 119th floors.
2 Ping An Finance Centre 2017Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhen 562 [1] 599.1115th floor (opened on February 10, 2018)
3 Burj Khalifa 2010Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai 555829.8148th floor
4 Merdeka 118 2022Skyscraper Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur 510678.9
5 Canton Tower 2010Steel Tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangzhou 488604
6 Lotte World Tower 2017Skyscraper Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul 486555
Abraj Al Bait 2011 Skyscraper Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mecca 486601
8 Shanghai World Financial Center 2008 Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai 474 [2] 492.3100th floor, decks also on levels 94 & 97
9 Burj Khalifa 2010Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai 452−456829.8124th and 125th floors
10 Tokyo Skytree 2012Steel Tower Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 451.2634Three additional observation decks at 340 m, 345 m, and 350 m
11 Taipei 101 2004Skyscraper Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taipei 449.2508.2The 101st floor indoor/outdoor rooftop observation deck opened to the public on June 14, 2019. [3] Two additional observation decks, outdoor on the 91st-floor and indoor on the 89th floor at 383.2 metres (1,257 ft).
12 CN Tower 1976Concrete tower Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto 446.7553.3Two additional observation decks at 342 m (outdoor) & 346 m (indoor).
13 Willis Tower 1974Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Chicago 412.7527.3103rd floor; it is the highest observation deck (skydeck) and highest skywalk (skydeck glass balconies) in the United States [4] [5] [6] [7]
14 Sky100, International Commerce Centre 2011Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hong Kong 393484100th floor; 360-degree indoor observation deck
15 One World Trade Center 2014Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 386.6541.3Observation deck on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors
16 Landmark 81 2019Skyscraper Flag of Vietnam.svg Ho Chi Minh City 382461Observation decks on 79th, 80th and 81st floors
17 Petronas Towers 1998Skyscraper Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur 370451.9Observation deck on 86th floor of tower 2; in addition there is the skybridge between the two towers on 41st and 42nd floors at 170 m.
18 Empire State Building 1931Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 369 [8] 448.7102nd floor; additional 86th floor deck (320 m)
19 Iconic Tower 2023Skyscraper Flag of Egypt.svg New Administrative Capital 368394Observations on 76th, 77th and 80th floors
20 Lakhta Center 2021Skyscraper Flag of Russia.svg Saint Petersburg 357462Observations on 84th, 85th 86th and 87th floors
21 Oriental Pearl Tower 1994Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai 351467.915 observation levels, the highest one being outdoors
22 The Strat 1996Concrete Tower Flag of the United States.svg Paradise 350350.2Tallest observation tower in the U.S.
23 Tuntex Sky Tower 1997Skyscraper Flag of the Republic of China.svg Kaohsiung 341347.574th floor
24 Jin Mao Tower 1998Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai 340.1420.588th floor
24 30 Hudson Yards 2020Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 340387Observations on 100th and 101nd floors
Ostankino Tower 1967Concrete tower Flag of Russia.svg Moscow 340540.1Indoor deck is at 337 m
25 John Hancock Center 1969Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Chicago 313.8343.594th floor
26 Milad Tower 2007Concrete tower Flag of Iran.svg Tehran 312435Top level
27 China World Trade Center Tower III 2010Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing 311.833081st floor
28 One Vanderbilt 2021Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 310.9427Observations deck on 62nd and 63rd floors
29 Shun Hing Square 1996Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhen 298.1384
30 US Bank Tower 1989Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles 29731069th (indoor and outdoor observation) and 70th floors (skyslide and events) CLOSED
31 Kingdom Centre 2002Skyscraper Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Riyadh 29030241st floor
32 Abeno Harukas 2014Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 28830058th–60th floor (top floor)
33 Zifeng Tower 2010Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Nanjing 287450
34 Eureka Tower 2007Skyscraper Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne 285297.3Skydeck 88 is at a height of 285 m
35 King Power MahaNakhon 2018Skyscraper Flag of Thailand.svg Bangkok 281.6314Observation deck on 74th, 76th and 78th floors
Etihad Towers (Tower 2) 2011Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Abu Dhabi 281.6305.3Observation deck at 300 is located on 75th floor
36 Eiffel Tower 1889Wrought iron lattice tower Flag of France.svg Paris 276.13303rd floor
37 Menara Kuala Lumpur 1996Concrete tower Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur 276421
38 Columbia Center 1985Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Seattle 27528473rd floor
39 Yokohama Landmark 1993Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama 27329669th floor
40 One Liberty Place 1987Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia26928857th floor
41 Bank of America Plaza (Dallas) 1985Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Dallas 268.428171st floor; additional on 70th floor at 264.6 metres (868 ft).
42 JPMorgan Chase Tower 1982Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Houston 268.2305.460th floor
43 Sydney Tower 1981Steel Tower Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney 268309Main indoor observation deck; outdoor skywalk attraction on roof is located at 279 meters
44 Gran Torre Santiago 2013Skyscraper Flag of Chile.svg Santiago 261300Observation deck named Sky Costanera is located on floors 61 and 62
45 GE Building 1933Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 259.1259.170th floor ("Top of the Rock")
46 Tianjin Tower 1991Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tianjin 257415.2
47 40 Wall Street 1929Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 255283
48 Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building 1995Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 252256
49 Etihad Towers (Tower 1) 2011Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Abu Dhabi 251.2277.6 [9]
50 63 Building 1985Skyscraper Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul 24925060th floor
51 Midland Square 2007Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya 24724747th floor
52 Lotus Tower 2019Concrete tower Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Colombo 245356
53 The Shard 2013Skyscraper Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London 244.830672nd floor
54 Central Radio & TV Tower 1992Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing 238405
55 Sunshine 60 1978Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 237.6239.8
56 Federation Tower (Tower West) 2008Skyscraper Flag of Russia.svg Moscow 235 [10] 25262nd floor
57 TK Elevator Test Tower 2017Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Rottweil 232 [11] 24630th floor (indoor and outdoor)
58 Q1 2005Skyscraper Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gold Coast 23032377th floor (SkyPoint), with the function hall on the 78th[ specify ]
West Pearl Tower 2006Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu 230339
Varso Tower 2023Skyscraper Flag of Poland.svg Warsaw 23031050th and 53rd floor
59 Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 2003Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 229.323852nd floor (indoor) and 54th floor (roof-deck)
60 Taipei Nan Shan Plaza 2018Skyscraper Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taipei 228.527246th floor (indoor)
61 Europaturm 1979Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Frankfurt 227337.5Since 1999, the Europaturm has been closed to the public
62 Tokyo Tower 1958Steel truss tower Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 223.5332.66th floor
63 Macau Tower 2001Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Macau 223338
64 Sky Tower 1997Concrete tower Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland 220328Skydeck observation deck on 60th floor
65 Tour Montparnasse 1972Skyscraper Flag of France.svg Paris 209209
66 Fernsehturm Berlin 1969Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Berlin 207368
67 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 1990Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 202243.4
68 Main Tower 1999Skyscraper Flag of Germany.svg Frankfurt 200240
Marina Bay Sands 2010Skyscraper Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 200200
70 Olympiaturm 1968Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Munich 192291
71 Mohammed VI Tower 2023Skyscraper Flag of Morocco.svg Salé 190250Observation deck on 54th and 55th floor
72 Vysotsky 2011Skyscraper Flag of Russia.svg Yekaterinburg 186188.3Observation deck was opened on 3 May 2012 [12]
73 Bitexco Financial Tower 2010Skyscraper Flag of Vietnam.svg Ho Chi Minh City 181262.547th floor
74 Tower of the Americas 1968Concrete tower Flag of the United States.svg San Antonio 176229
75 Rheinturm 1979Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Düsseldorf 170240.5
Umeda Sky Building 1993Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 170173
Tallinn TV Tower 1980Tower Flag of Estonia.svg Tallinn 170314
76 Donauturm 1964Concrete tower Flag of Austria.svg Vienna 169.4252
77 N Seoul Tower 1975Steel tower Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul 168.3236.7Tower sits atop Namsan Mountain
78 Vilnius TV Tower 1980Tower Flag of Lithuania.svg Vilnius 165326.5
79 Space Needle 1962Steel tower Flag of the United States.svg Seattle 158.5184.4
80 Calgary Tower 1968Concrete tower Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calgary 157.5190.8
81 Fernsehturm Stuttgart 1956Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Stuttgart 153216.6
Çamlıca Tower 2020Concrete tower Flag of Turkey.svg Istanbul 153369
82 Avala Tower 2009Concrete tower Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade 135204.5
83 Fukuoka Tower 1989Tower Flag of Japan.svg Fukuoka 123234
84 Kuwait viewing sphere 1979Concrete tower Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait City 120187(1990 Liberation Tower of ~300 m is not open to public)
85 Palace of Culture and Science 1955Multi-function Flag of Poland.svg Warsaw 114237Observation deck on 30th floor
86 Spinnaker Tower 2005Tower Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth 110170
87 Millennium Center 2 office tower restaurant2016Skyscraper Flag of Bulgaria.svg Sofia 105108
88 Kyoto Tower 1964Tower Flag of Japan.svg Kyoto 100131
Nagoya TV Tower 1954Tower Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya 100180
89 Tashkent Tower 1985Tower Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Tashkent 97375
90 Snezhanka Tower, Pamporovo, Bulgaria 1978Concrete tower Flag of Bulgaria.svg Pamporovo 93156
91 Kobe Port Tower 1963Tower Flag of Japan.svg Kobe 90.8108
92 Sapporo TV Tower 1957Tower Flag of Japan.svg Sapporo 90147.2
93 Tsūtenkaku 1956Tower Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 87.5108
94 Nebraska State Capitol 1930Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln 7512014th floor

List of highest observation decks by type

TypeName and LocationConstructedHeightNotes
Observation Skywalk over vertical cliff free drop”Step into the Void” glass skywalk, Aiguille du Midi peak, The Alps, France [13] [14] 20131,035 m (3,396 ft)
Observation deck inside a spire Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [1] 2023566 m (1,857 ft)
Enclosed observation deck on high-rise building Shanghai Tower, Shanghai and Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzhen, China [1] 2015 and 2017562 m (1,844 ft)
Outdoor observation deck on high-rise building Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE [1] 2014555.7 m (1,823 ft)
Skywalk over (artificial) waterfall free dropSky Corridor Waterfall Walkway, Huangteng Gorge, Guangdong, China [15] 2018500 m (1,640 ft)
Observation deck on tower [1] Canton Tower, Guangzhou, China2011488 m (1,601 ft)
Skywalk over high-rise buildingSkydeck (The Ledge) observation deck glass balconies, Willis Tower, Chicago, USA [1] 2009412.4 m (1,353 ft)
Skywalk over bridge Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie, China [16] 2016300 m (984 ft)
Skywalk over glacier Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada [17] 2014280 m (919 ft)

Timeline of world's highest observation decks

This is a timeline of the development of world's highest observation decks since the inauguration of the Washington Monument in 1885.

Held recordName and LocationConstructedHeight of highest observation deckNotes
FromTo
18851889Flag of the United States (1877-1890).svg Washington Monument, Washington D.C., United States1889152.3 m (500 ft)Was the world's tallest structure when completed.
18891931Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Eiffel Tower, Paris, France1889275 m (902 ft)Two further observation decks 57 & 115 m.
19311973Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Empire State Building, New York City, United States1931369 m (1,211 ft) [8] A second observation deck is located on the 86th floor at 320 metres above ground.
19731974Flag of the United States.svg World Trade Center, New York City, United States (article)1973399.4 m (1,310 ft)Measured from sea level, street level was 10 feet above sea level. Indoor observation deck on the 107th floor of South Tower opened on April 4, 1973. Destroyed during the September 11 attacks.
19741975Flag of the United States.svg Sears Tower (since renamed Willis Tower), Chicago, United States1974412.4 m (1,353 ft)Measured from the Franklin Street entrance, 103rd floor observation deck opened on June 22, 1974
19751976Flag of the United States.svg World Trade Center, New York City, United States (article)1973419.7 m (1,377 ft)Measured from sea level, street level was 10 feet above sea level. Outdoor observation deck on rooftop of the South Tower opened on December 15, 1975. Destroyed during the September 11 attacks.
19762004Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada1976446.5 m (1,465 ft)Two further observation decks 342 and 346 metres above ground.
20042008Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taipei 101, Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan)2004449.2 m (1,474 ft)Two other observation decks are at 392 m (1,286 ft) (91st-floor outdoor observation deck) and 383 m (1,257 ft) (89th-floor indoor observation deck).
20082011Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai, People's Republic of China 2008474 m (1,555 ft)Other observation decks are at 423 m (1,388 ft) and 439 m (1,440 ft).
20112014Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Canton Tower, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China 2011488 m (1,601 ft)The outdoor rooftop observation deck opened in December 2011. There are also several other indoor observation decks in the tower, the highest at 433.2 m (1,421 ft).
20142016Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE 2010555.7 m (1,821 ft)Opened on October 15, 2014, on the 148th floor. There is another observation deck at 452.1 m (1,483 ft) on the 124th floor, which has been open since the building was opened to the public.
2016PresentFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China 2015562.1 m (1,844 ft)Opened on July 1, 2016. there are also 2 more observation decks on the 118th and 119th floor, at 546 and 552 meters respectively.

Under construction

Approved

See also List of tallest buildings and structures in the world#World's highest observation deck

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipei 101</span> Skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jin Mao Tower</span> Supertall skyscraper in Shanghai, China

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanghai World Financial Center</span> Supertall skyscraper in Shanghai, China

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glass floor</span> Flooring composed of transparent or translucent glass

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canton Tower</span> Communications and observation tower in Guangzhou (Canton), China

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merdeka 118</span> Megatall skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Merdeka 118, formerly known as Menara Warisan Merdeka, KL 118 and PNB 118, is a 118-story megatall skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At 678.9 m (2,227 ft) tall, it is the second-tallest building and structure in the world, only behind the Burj Khalifa at 828 m (2,717 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">30 Hudson Yards</span> Skyscraper in Manhattan, New York

30 Hudson Yards is a supertall skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan's West Side, New York City. It is positioned near Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, and NY Penn Station. As of November 2022, the building is the sixth-tallest in New York City and the eighth-tallest in the United States. It is a key structure in the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, which aims to revitalize the West Side Yard of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanity height</span> Height difference between a skyscrapers pinnacle and its highest usable floor

Vanity height is defined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) as the height difference between a skyscraper's pinnacle and the highest usable floor. Because the CTBUH ranks the world's tallest buildings by height to pinnacle, a number of buildings appear higher in the rankings than they otherwise would due to extremely long spires.

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