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At the Empire State Building, a Lure Even for Jaded Natives At the Empire State Building, a Lure Even for Jaded Natives
(4 days later)
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It’s Friday.It’s Friday.
Weather: Cloudy and gusty, with a slight chance of rain until about noon and a high around 60. Warmer and drier over the weekend — the sun might peek through.Weather: Cloudy and gusty, with a slight chance of rain until about noon and a high around 60. Warmer and drier over the weekend — the sun might peek through.
Alternate-side parking: In effect until Monday (Columbus Day and Sukkot).Alternate-side parking: In effect until Monday (Columbus Day and Sukkot).
On Saturday, a glass observatory deck will open on the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building that will offer 360-degree views of the city.On Saturday, a glass observatory deck will open on the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building that will offer 360-degree views of the city.
The opening marks the beginning of what designers call the “Observatory Experience,” the result of four years and $165 million in renovations aimed at solving nagging complaints — long lines, big crowds, congestion — about the building’s exhibit space and observatory decks, and making the visit more engaging.The opening marks the beginning of what designers call the “Observatory Experience,” the result of four years and $165 million in renovations aimed at solving nagging complaints — long lines, big crowds, congestion — about the building’s exhibit space and observatory decks, and making the visit more engaging.
After entering the building, now through 34th Street instead of Fifth Avenue, visitors pass by enthralling art deco architecture and a 24-foot model of the building before entering into the 10,000-square-foot exhibit space.After entering the building, now through 34th Street instead of Fifth Avenue, visitors pass by enthralling art deco architecture and a 24-foot model of the building before entering into the 10,000-square-foot exhibit space.
The digitally driven, dynamic exhibition helps usher visitors toward elevators that transport them, in 55 seconds, to the 86th-floor deck.The digitally driven, dynamic exhibition helps usher visitors toward elevators that transport them, in 55 seconds, to the 86th-floor deck.
Visitors can go to the 102nd floor by paying an additional $20 on top of the package cost for the exhibit and trip to the 86th floor. An assortment of perks, like private tours and skip-the-line passes, are also available in packages that cost up to $460.Visitors can go to the 102nd floor by paying an additional $20 on top of the package cost for the exhibit and trip to the 86th floor. An assortment of perks, like private tours and skip-the-line passes, are also available in packages that cost up to $460.
My colleague James S. Russell writes that the changes are likely to make the revamped observatory a “must-see even for jaded natives.”My colleague James S. Russell writes that the changes are likely to make the revamped observatory a “must-see even for jaded natives.”
“It is, simply, a sight unmatched,” Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Realty Trust, the company that owns the building, said on Thursday as he stood next to a window pane on the 102nd-floor observatory. “It is, simply, a sight unmatched,” Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory, said on Thursday as he stood next to a window pane on the 102nd-floor observatory.
“We are the pin on the map that holds this city together,” he added. “There’s a lot of meaning here. The height isn’t the marker; it’s about the iconic status of this place.”“We are the pin on the map that holds this city together,” he added. “There’s a lot of meaning here. The height isn’t the marker; it’s about the iconic status of this place.”
The perch on 102nd floor will offer groups of about 55 people a chance to view New York from what Mr. Ghazi said was the highest 360-degree panorama in the city.The perch on 102nd floor will offer groups of about 55 people a chance to view New York from what Mr. Ghazi said was the highest 360-degree panorama in the city.
The observatory is completely transparent. Those who dare can look directly down to the streets below.The observatory is completely transparent. Those who dare can look directly down to the streets below.
But really, the best views are straight ahead. Observers can see each of the boroughs and the surrounding areas.But really, the best views are straight ahead. Observers can see each of the boroughs and the surrounding areas.
“There has never been a better time to give Gotham a fresh look,” Mr. Russell wrote.“There has never been a better time to give Gotham a fresh look,” Mr. Russell wrote.
Here’s your chance.Here’s your chance.
Want more news? Check out our full coverage.Want more news? Check out our full coverage.
The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.
A drunken artist impulsively doodled on the walls of a New York dive bar 10 years ago. That drawing might now be worth millions. [Artnet News]A drunken artist impulsively doodled on the walls of a New York dive bar 10 years ago. That drawing might now be worth millions. [Artnet News]
The Bronx man who saved a little girl from the subway tracks after her father died on them said he remained haunted by what he saw. [The Daily News]The Bronx man who saved a little girl from the subway tracks after her father died on them said he remained haunted by what he saw. [The Daily News]
Harlem residents are worried that a rezoning plan might spell the end for an iconic apartment complex. [Gothamist]Harlem residents are worried that a rezoning plan might spell the end for an iconic apartment complex. [Gothamist]
Friday:Friday:
Watch the dark comedy “The Pastry” as part of the Crown Heights Film Festival, at FiveMyles in Brooklyn. 7 p.m. [Free]Watch the dark comedy “The Pastry” as part of the Crown Heights Film Festival, at FiveMyles in Brooklyn. 7 p.m. [Free]
Saturday:Saturday:
Listen to true stories told by immigrants and allies in the “80 Minutes Around the World” series, which is part of the “Speak Up, Rise Up” storytelling festival at Caveat in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [$15]Listen to true stories told by immigrants and allies in the “80 Minutes Around the World” series, which is part of the “Speak Up, Rise Up” storytelling festival at Caveat in Manhattan. 7 p.m. [$15]
The reading showcase “femme, noire + queer | a radical imagining” at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn is part of the Lit Crawl N.Y.C. 6 p.m. [Free]The reading showcase “femme, noire + queer | a radical imagining” at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn is part of the Lit Crawl N.Y.C. 6 p.m. [Free]
Sunday:Sunday:
Harvest Fest has live music, petting zoos and craft and food vendors at the Queens Botanical Garden. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. [$15]Harvest Fest has live music, petting zoos and craft and food vendors at the Queens Botanical Garden. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. [$15]
— Melissa Guerrero— Melissa Guerrero
Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.
The Times’s Derek Norman writes:The Times’s Derek Norman writes:
Argosy Book Store in Midtown has sold rare and antique books in Manhattan since 1925. The shop, which is run by three sisters and one of their sons, was featured in the documentary film “The Booksellers,” which was screened at the New York Film Festival this week.Argosy Book Store in Midtown has sold rare and antique books in Manhattan since 1925. The shop, which is run by three sisters and one of their sons, was featured in the documentary film “The Booksellers,” which was screened at the New York Film Festival this week.
The film explores the family dynamic of its owners, and the niche world of rare-book dealers in the city.The film explores the family dynamic of its owners, and the niche world of rare-book dealers in the city.
The family that runs the shop also owns the building, which is why they have stayed open for so long, they say.The family that runs the shop also owns the building, which is why they have stayed open for so long, they say.
“The industry has changed, but we’re in a position where we haven’t had to yet,” said Ben Lowry, who helps operate the shop, adding that having an extensive inventory and catering to an array of customers are pluses.“The industry has changed, but we’re in a position where we haven’t had to yet,” said Ben Lowry, who helps operate the shop, adding that having an extensive inventory and catering to an array of customers are pluses.
The store’s six floors house books, antique maps, portraits and an extensive autograph collection, all of which attract an array of browsers.The store’s six floors house books, antique maps, portraits and an extensive autograph collection, all of which attract an array of browsers.
“You never know what kind of person might walk through that door,” Adina Cohen, one of the three sisters who inherited the business from their father in 1991, said.“You never know what kind of person might walk through that door,” Adina Cohen, one of the three sisters who inherited the business from their father in 1991, said.
“We have something for everybody,” she added. “We handle everything, from books from five years ago to 500 years ago, from flowers to war, every subject in the world, and every time period passes through our hands every day.”“We have something for everybody,” she added. “We handle everything, from books from five years ago to 500 years ago, from flowers to war, every subject in the world, and every time period passes through our hands every day.”
She said that former President Bill Clinton was a frequent customer.She said that former President Bill Clinton was a frequent customer.
Barnaby Hubble, 56, from France, heard about the shop from a colleague and decided to visit.Barnaby Hubble, 56, from France, heard about the shop from a colleague and decided to visit.
“The classic thing about a bookshop is you walk in and suddenly everything seems necessary,” Mr. Hubble said.“The classic thing about a bookshop is you walk in and suddenly everything seems necessary,” Mr. Hubble said.
He added: “Coming into a shop like this, everything talks to you. It gives you insight to your relationship with another time. That’s why I’m always turning up in bookshops.”He added: “Coming into a shop like this, everything talks to you. It gives you insight to your relationship with another time. That’s why I’m always turning up in bookshops.”
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
A longtime resident of SoHo, I often walked to Zito’s bakery on Bleecker Street to buy baguettes.A longtime resident of SoHo, I often walked to Zito’s bakery on Bleecker Street to buy baguettes.
One day, as I stood in the long line, I noticed a large brown dog on the sidewalk. He seemed to be alone. He was staring up the street.One day, as I stood in the long line, I noticed a large brown dog on the sidewalk. He seemed to be alone. He was staring up the street.
Then I saw him walk off in the direction he had been looking. I worried about him, all alone on the street. I got the baker’s attention.Then I saw him walk off in the direction he had been looking. I worried about him, all alone on the street. I got the baker’s attention.
“There was a big brown dog outside on the sidewalk,” I said. “He seemed to be alone, and now he’s walked off up the street.”“There was a big brown dog outside on the sidewalk,” I said. “He seemed to be alone, and now he’s walked off up the street.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” the baker said. “That’s our dog, and he knows the neighborhood well. He has walked off to meet my brother who went on an errand up the street. The dog’s going to meet him.”“Oh, don’t worry,” the baker said. “That’s our dog, and he knows the neighborhood well. He has walked off to meet my brother who went on an errand up the street. The dog’s going to meet him.”
I was relieved, bought my baguettes and was about to leave when a man standing behind me spoke to me quietly.I was relieved, bought my baguettes and was about to leave when a man standing behind me spoke to me quietly.
“That was a very kind thing you did,” he said.“That was a very kind thing you did,” he said.
For some reason, I was stunned by the unexpected compliment. I walked out the door, unable to speak. I fumbled for my sunglasses to cover up the tears running down my cheeks.For some reason, I was stunned by the unexpected compliment. I walked out the door, unable to speak. I fumbled for my sunglasses to cover up the tears running down my cheeks.
I have no idea why I cried. Thirty years later, I still don’t know why.I have no idea why I cried. Thirty years later, I still don’t know why.
— Carole Wendt— Carole Wendt
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