Video Display Technologies Enhance Empire State Building's New Observatory Entrance and Lobby Design
New York City is defined by its monolithic high-rises, and the iconic achievement of the city's skyline is the Empire State Building (ESB)—one of the most renowned buildings ever constructed. People flood to ESB by the millions each year to visit the building's world-famous observatory and take in the views of the city's horizon.
As part of a larger effort to create a fully reimagined new Observatory, ESB has completed a brand-new, ground-floor entrance and lobby—the first phase of a $150 million Observatory redevelopment. The project repositions the point of entry from Fifth Avenue to 20 West 34th Street, introducing a larger and modernized entrance that provides Observatory guests with a more seamless, organized flow.
The entrance redesign was made possible by a best-in-class team from the arts, architecture, technology and entertainment industries, creating an immersive visitor experience featuring spectacular photography, a two-story ESB architectural model and cutting-edge video display technology from Planar.
"The entrance upgrade reinvents the visitor journey by creating sharable and inspirational moments," said Jean-Yves Ghazi, Senior Vice President of the Observatory, Empire State Realty Trust. "Every detail of the new design was highly influenced by consumer feedback. We gathered insights based on visitor research, partnering with leading polling experts who worked closely with our lead designers to help craft the new guest experience."
Large Planar LED video wall augments ESB's lighting ceremonies
Since 1976, ESB has maintained a tradition of changing its tower lights to acknowledge various holidays, occasions and events throughout the year. In 2012, ownership installed a new LED light system—allowing for ESB to also stage spectacular light shows. ESB regularly holds lighting ceremonies to recognize the tower light changes. The addition of a 12-foot-long, 8-foot high Planar TWA Series LED video wall in a 5x4 configuration with a 1.2mm pixel pitch (TWA1.2) now allows ESB to augment the lighting ceremonies with striking visuals and dynamic, animated content.
The Planar TWA Series is a line of fine pitch LED video walls that are designed to support the highest pixel density and include the highest quality black LEDs for delivering a crisp, high contrast image.Featuring excellent off-axis uniformity and maximum full color and brightness, the Planar TWA Series provides ESB with high contrast imagery and a seamless video wall solution.
"The lighting ceremonies are a crucial component of our global PR strategy. The LED video wall is used as a backdrop during ceremonies to show content that specifically ties in with the event taking place in synchronized harmony," Ghazi said.
Outside of the ceremonies, the Planar TWA Series LED video wall transforms into a tribute to showcase past events and high-profile celebrities that have been to the ESB. "The video wall helps connect visitors to celebrities that have been to the building," according to Ghazi. "The association of being at the same place where celebrities have been is an important aspect."
Travis Heitchew, enterprise program manager with technology solutions provider Diversified, which performed the display and video wall integrations, said the Planar TWA Series was selected to accommodate the heavy amount of photography and camera use that would take place around the video wall. "The 1.2mm pixel pitch allows visitors to take pictures and video without the moiré effect," he said. "Overall, the Planar TWA Series video wall is a perfect solution. Visitors can walk right up to the display and won't see any pixilation when standing three to five feet away."
Clear iconography enhances wayfinding
As part of the new Observatory entrance design, ESB mounted numerous Planar TVH Series LED video wall banners (TVH1.6) to the building's ceiling, in addition to installing Planar® QE Series and Planar® Simplicity Series 4K LCD displays to provide a wayfinding solution that would improve navigation for visitors.
"From our polling, we learned that the biggest challenge facing visitors was a language barrier," Ghazi said. "To overcome that, we are using iconography with the displays to more easily communicate directional information. Because of our international draw, it is very important for us to connect with audiences in a universal way, which iconography provides."
The Planar TVH Series is a line of fine pitch LED video walls that deliver industry-leading image quality and feature an advanced design for a range of demanding indoor applications.
Planar QE Series Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160) LCD displays support native 4K resolution for providing a dynamic digital signage solution.Planar Simplicity Series LCD displays feature a slim profile, reduced complexity and cutting-edge 4K at 60Hz streaming, offering an elegant design for digital signage.
"Before being installed, each product choice was closely evaluated to confirm that clarity would surpass expectations and that we would be providing the best possible visual experience to our visitors," Ghazi said. "The displays provide dynamic imagery and allow us to show graphic animations, which our guests absolutely love. We want to entertain and delight our visitors throughout their journey and that's exactly what we're doing here, in every respect."
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
