Observation deck

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The Edge at 30 Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan, containing optically transparent flooring, looking toward Lower Manhattan, opened in 2020 Edge HY.jpg
The Edge at 30 Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan, containing optically transparent flooring, looking toward Lower Manhattan, opened in 2020

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.[ citation needed ]

Contents

List of public observation decks

List of public observation decks
RankNameCompletion YearTypeCityDeck height (m)Total height (m)Notes
1 Burj Khalifa 2010Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai 585 [1] 829.8Floors 152-154 (opened 2019). Additional decks on floor 148 (555m, opened 2014, which was the world's highest observation deck at its opening) and floors 124-125 (452m).
2 Shanghai Tower 2015Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai 562 [2] 632121st floor; decks are also on 118th and 119th floors.
3 Ping An Finance Centre 2017Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhen 562 [2] 599.1115th floor (opened on February 10, 2018).
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 [3] 492.3100th floor, decks also on levels 94 & 97.
9 Tokyo Skytree 2012Steel tower Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 451.2634Three additional observation decks at 340m, 345m, and 350m.
10 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. [4] Two additional observation decks, outdoor on the 91st-floor and indoor on the 89th floor at 383.2 metres (1,257 ft)..
11 CN Tower 1976Concrete tower Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto 446.7553.3Two additional observation decks at 342 m (outdoor) & 346 m (indoor).
12 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 [5] [6] [7] [8]
13 Sky100, International Commerce Centre 2011Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hong Kong 393484100th floor; 360-degree indoor observation deck.
14 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.
15 Landmark 81 2019Skyscraper Flag of Vietnam.svg Ho Chi Minh City 382461Observation decks on 79th, 80th and 81st floors.
16 Autograph Tower 2025Skyscraper Flag of Indonesia.svg Jakarta Observation deck on 99th floor, it has the world’s highest outdoor pool and the highest skydeck in Southern Hemisphere
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 [9] 448.7102nd floor; additional 86th floor deck (320 m).
19 Iconic Tower 2023Skyscraper Flag of Egypt.svg New Administrative Capital 360394Observations on 74th, 75th and 76th 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 340387Observation decks on 100th and 101st floors.
Ostankino Tower 1967Concrete tower Flag of Russia.svg Moscow 340540.1Indoor deck is at 337 m.
26 John Hancock Center 1969Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Chicago 313.8343.594th floor.
27 Milad Tower 2007Concrete tower Flag of Iran.svg Tehran 312435Top level.
28 China World Trade Center Tower III 2010Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing 311.833081st floor.
29 One Vanderbilt 2021Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 310427Observations on 62nd and 63rd floors.
Ciel Tower 2024Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai 310366Observation deck on 81nd, 82rd floors, 76th floor (290 m) and 60th floor (248 m).
31 Shun Hing Square 1996Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shenzhen 298.1384
32 US Bank Tower 1989Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles 29731069th (indoor and outdoor observation) and 70th floors (skyslide and events) CLOSED.
33 Kingdom Centre 2002Skyscraper Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Riyadh 29030241st floor.
34 Abeno Harukas 2014Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 28830058th–60th floor (top floor).
35 Zifeng Tower 2010Skyscraper Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Nanjing 287450
36 Eureka Tower 2007Skyscraper Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne 285297.3Skydeck 88 is at a height of 285 m.
37 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.
39 Eiffel Tower 1889Wrought iron lattice tower Flag of France.svg Paris 276.13303rd floor.
40 Menara Kuala Lumpur 1996Concrete tower Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuala Lumpur 276421
41 Columbia Center 1985Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Seattle 27528473rd floor.
42 Yokohama Landmark 1993Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama 27329669th floor.
43 One Liberty Place 1987Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia26928857th floor.
44 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).
45 JPMorgan Chase Tower 1982Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Houston 268.2305.460th floor.
46 Sydney Tower 1981Steel Tower Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sydney 268309Main indoor observation deck; outdoor skywalk attraction on roof is located at 279 meters.
47 Gran Torre Santiago 2013Skyscraper Flag of Chile.svg Santiago 261300Observation deck named Sky Costanera is located on floors 61 and 62.
48 GE Building 1933Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 259.1259.170th floor ("Top of the Rock").
49 Tianjin Tower 1991Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tianjin 257415.2
50 40 Wall Street 1929Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg New York City 255283
51 22 Bishopsgate 2020Skyscraper Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London 254278Tallest free observation deck in Europe on the 58th floor.
52 Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building 1995Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 252256
53 Etihad Towers (Tower 1) [10] 2011Skyscraper Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Abu Dhabi 251.2277.6
54 63 Building 1985Skyscraper Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul 24925060th floor.
55 Midland Square 2007Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya 24724747th floor.
56 Lotus Tower 2019Concrete tower Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Colombo 245356
57 The Shard 2013Skyscraper Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London 244.830672nd floor.
58 Central Radio & TV Tower 1992Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing 238405
59 Sunshine 60 1978Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 237.6239.8
60 Federation Tower (Tower West) 2008Skyscraper Flag of Russia.svg Moscow 235 [11] 25262nd floor.
61 TK Elevator Test Tower 2017Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Rottweil 232 [12] 24630th floor (indoor and outdoor).
62 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.
65 Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 2003Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 229.323852nd floor (indoor) and 54th floor (roof-deck).
66 Taipei Nan Shan Plaza 2018Skyscraper Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taipei 228.527246th floor (indoor).
67 Europaturm 1979Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Frankfurt 227337.5Since 1999, the Europaturm has been closed to the public.
68 Tokyo Tower 1958Steel truss tower Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 223.5332.66th floor.
69 Macau Tower 2001Concrete tower Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Macau 223338
70 Sky Tower 1997Concrete tower Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland 220328Skydeck observation deck on 60th floor.
71 Tour Montparnasse 1972Skyscraper Flag of France.svg Paris 209209
72 Fernsehturm Berlin 1969Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Berlin 207368
73 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 1990Skyscraper Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo 202243.4
74 Main Tower 1999Skyscraper Flag of Germany.svg Frankfurt 200240
Marina Bay Sands 2010Skyscraper Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 200200
76 Olympiaturm 1968Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Munich 192291
77 Mohammed VI Tower 2023Skyscraper Flag of Morocco.svg Salé 190250Observation deck on 54th and 55th floor.
78 Vysotsky 2011Skyscraper Flag of Russia.svg Yekaterinburg 186188.3Observation deck was opened on 3 May 2012. [13]
79 Bitexco Financial Tower 2010Skyscraper Flag of Vietnam.svg Ho Chi Minh City 181262.547th floor.
80 Tower of the Americas 1968Concrete tower Flag of the United States.svg San Antonio 176229
81 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
84 Donauturm 1964Concrete tower Flag of Austria.svg Vienna 169.4252
85 N Seoul Tower 1975Steel tower Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul 168.3236.7Tower sits atop Namsan Mountain.
86 Vilnius TV Tower 1980Tower Flag of Lithuania.svg Vilnius 165326.5
87 Space Needle 1962Steel tower Flag of the United States.svg Seattle 158.5184.4
89 Calgary Tower 1968Concrete tower Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Calgary 157.5190.8
90 Fernsehturm Stuttgart 1956Concrete tower Flag of Germany.svg Stuttgart 153216.6
Çamlıca Tower 2020Concrete tower Flag of Turkey.svg Istanbul 153369
92 Avala Tower 2009Concrete tower Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade 135204.5
93 Fukuoka Tower 1989Tower Flag of Japan.svg Fukuoka 123234
94 Kuwait viewing sphere 1979Concrete tower Flag of Kuwait.svg Kuwait City 120187(1990 Liberation Tower of ~300 m is not open to public).
95 Palace of Culture and Science 1955Multi-function Flag of Poland.svg Warsaw 114237Observation deck on 30th floor.
96 Spinnaker Tower 2005Tower Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth 110170
97 Millennium Center 2 office tower restaurant2016Skyscraper Flag of Bulgaria.svg Sofia 105108
98 Kyoto Tower 1964Tower Flag of Japan.svg Kyoto 100131
Nagoya TV Tower 1954Tower Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya 100180
100 Tashkent Tower 1985Tower Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Tashkent 97375
101 Snezhanka Tower, Pamporovo, Bulgaria 1978Concrete tower Flag of Bulgaria.svg Pamporovo 93156
102 Kobe Port Tower 1963Tower Flag of Japan.svg Kobe 90.8108
103 Sapporo TV Tower 1957Tower Flag of Japan.svg Sapporo 90147.2
104 Tsūtenkaku 1956Tower Flag of Japan.svg Osaka 87.5108
105 City-Hochhaus Leipzig 1972Skyscraper Flag of Germany.svg Leipzig 120142.531st floor.
106 Nebraska State Capitol 1930Skyscraper Flag of the United States.svg Lincoln 7512014th floor.
107 Arc de Triomphe 1836Monument Flag of France.svg Paris 5050Rooftop terrace.

List of highest observation decks by type

TypeName and LocationConstructedHeightNotes
Observation Skywalk over vertical cliff free drop Grand Canyon Skywalk, United States 20071,100 m (3,609 ft)
Observation deck inside a spire Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [2] 2023566 m (1,857 ft)
Enclosed observation deck on high-rise building Shanghai Tower, Shanghai and Ping An Finance Centre, Shenzhen, China [2] [ disputed discuss ]2015 and 2017562 m (1,844 ft)
Outdoor observation deck on high-rise building Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE [2] [ disputed discuss ]2014555.7 m (1,823 ft)
Skywalk over (artificial) waterfall free dropSky Corridor Waterfall Walkway, Huangteng Gorge, Guangdong, China [14] 2018500 m (1,640 ft)
Observation deck on tower [2] Canton Tower, Guangzhou, China2011488 m (1,601 ft)
Skywalk over high-rise buildingSkydeck (The Ledge) observation deck glass balconies, Willis Tower, Chicago, USA [2] 2009412.4 m (1,353 ft)
Up at Thamrin Nine Autograph Tower, Jakarta, Indonesia2025385 m (1,263 ft)
Skywalk over bridge Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie, China [15] 2016300 m (984 ft)
Skywalk over glacier Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada [16] 2014280 m (919 ft)

Under construction

Approved

Destroyed

See also

References

  1. "Burj Khalifa Observation Deck" . Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ctbuh. "World's Highest Observation Decks". www.ctbuh.org. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  3. "Shanghai World Financial Center -SWFC- | Official site of Shanghai Financial Center". www.swfc-shanghai.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. "Taipei 101 to open top floor to public for the first time". YouTube . 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021.
  5. "Sears Tower unveils 103rd floor glass balconies", USA Today, July 1, 2009.
  6. "The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011. SOM.com Project Page.
  7. BJ Lutz (30 May 2014). "Coating on Willis Tower Skydeck's Ledge Cracks Under Tourists". Nbcchicago.com. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  8. Sophie Lewis (12 June 2019). "Protective layer of Willis Tower's SkyDeck cracks under visitors' feet". cbsnews. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  9. "The Empire State Building". Wired New York. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
  10. "Etihad Towers T1 - The Skyscraper Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013.
  11. "Смотровая площадка Башня Федерация". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  12. "thyssenkrupp Elevator". TK Elevator (in German). Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  13. "Открытие смотровой площадки в БЦ "Высоцкий"".
  14. "Visit Guangdong's Highest Sky Corridor Waterfall Walkway in China | the Asian Magazine".
  15. "World's tallest and longest glass bridge closes after just two weeks". Dezeen. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  16. "Jasper National Park Glacier Skywalk Travel Information". Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. China has banned the construction of skyscrapers in 2021.
  18. Watch the livestream to the Merdeka 118 Tower Spire Completion Ceremony here! , retrieved 4 December 2021.
  19. "Millennium-Tower: So grün wird Frankfurts neuer Rekord-Wolkenkratzer". Top Magazin Frankfurt (in German). 15 December 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.