Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 2026, New York's observation decks have become art installations, culinary experiences, and immersive worlds designed to make you feel the city in ways you never expected.
This year, Hudson Yards invested millions of dollars to transform Edge into the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Then there's Pulse, with 450 individually programmed light orbs that respond to human movement. Crystal Cave, a 25-foot canopy of hanging crystals that cast shifting rainbows across the floor. A kaleidoscope where light and color shift in real time. Then there's Infinite City, a forest of vertical mirror chambers that makes you feel like you're walking through NYC's skyline while looking at it.
The bet Hudson Yards is making is that New Yorkers and visitors don't just want to see the city from above anymore. They want to feel it refracted, remixed, and reflected back at them. These are living artworks maintained by more than 500 people, designed to create genuine moments of wonder and authentic memories.
00:32 Intro
01:06 Why Hudson Yards reimagines the view
02:40 The history
04:09 The modern era & design philosophy
07:04 Pulse Installation
08:17 Kaleidoscope & Reflections
10:46 The philosophy: it's more than just for Instagram
11:40 The bet
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In 2026, New York's observation decks have become art installations, culinary experiences, and immersive worlds designed to make you feel the city in ways you never expected.
This year, Hudson Yards invested millions of dollars to transform Edge into the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Then there's Pulse, with 450 individually programmed light orbs that respond to human movement. Crystal Cave, a 25-foot canopy of hanging crystals that cast shifting rainbows across the floor. A kaleidoscope where light and color shift in real time. Then there's Infinite City, a forest of vertical mirror chambers that makes you feel like you're walking through NYC's skyline while looking at it.
The bet Hudson Yards is making is that New Yorkers and visitors don't just want to see the city from above anymore. They want to feel it refracted, remixed, and reflected back at them. These are living artworks maintained by more than 500 people, designed to create genuine moments of wonder and authentic memories.
00:32 Intro
01:06 Why Hudson Yards reimagines the view
02:40 The history
04:09 The modern era & design philosophy
07:04 Pulse Installation
08:17 Kaleidoscope & Reflections
10:46 The philosophy: it's more than just for Instagram
11:40 The bet
Connect with Cheddar!
On Facebook: facebook.com/cheddar
On Instagram: instagram.com/cheddar
On the web: cheddar.com
In your inbox: need2know.cheddar.com/subscribe
