One Vanderbilt is a 73-story supertall skyscraper and one of the latest additions to the New York city skyline. Located on the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan it is the city’s fourth tallest building at just over 427 metres. One Vanderbilt is a stunning addition to the cityscape, illuminated in the skyline thanks to a solution from Pharos Architectural Controls.
The skyscraper’s distinctive pointed tower has made the destination an instantly recognisable sight along with the nearby Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, with the ‘crown and spire’ lit in an array of colours and clearly visible at night. Pharos Architectural Controls was chosen to provide the control element of the system, with the integration of a 20-universe Designer LPC X (Lighting Playback Controller).
The Pharos solution was specified and supplied by Signify, who also supplied the Color Kinetics luminaires. The team at Pharos programmed the installation’s custom web interface, set up the base project file and completed all the required on-site work.
The Designer LPC X is an all-in-one control solution ideal for large-scale LED lighting installations. As a rugged rackmount unit, the LPC X is designed to offer complete reliability in 24/7 operation, which was essential in a building as high-profile as One Vanderbilt. Additionally, the LPC X features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes whilst offering the freedom of real-time manual overrides, and the versatility of powerful show control and integration features.
As well as transforming One Vanderbilt into a beacon on the New York City skyline, and helping it secure a place on the list of must-see destinations whilst visiting NYC, the LPC X enables the crown of the tower to be illuminated in an array of colourful lighting schemes. These coincide with special occasions and celebrations, such as Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and Valentine’s Day. One Vanderbilt has also put on special lighting shows to announce the FIFA World Cup games being held in New York, as well as to celebrate Pride Month and the Intrepid Museum’s 80th anniversary.
One Vanderbilt is also home to SUMMIT, the world’s most immersive observatory that combines unparalleled vistas, curated multi-sensory experiences and cutting-edge technology to offer an unprecedented visit spanning art, nature, and design. Boasting thrill experiences, elevated food and cocktails, and an outdoor terrace with the highest urban alpine meadow in the Western hemisphere, SUMMIT has already welcomed over 4.5 million visitors since opening in October 2021.
Michael Grosse, Regional Sales Manager for the Americas at Pharos Architectural Controls said: “One Vanderbilt is a fantastic example of New York City’s constant evolution and innovation with new and fresh experiences for visitors. We’re delighted that Pharos Architectural Controls can be part of this story, with our Designer LPC X offering the perfect solution for this large-scale lighting installation.
“By using Pharos technology, One Vanderbilt has become a dynamic and colourful addition to New York’s skyline, solidifying its place among the city’s must-see tourist attractions.”
Project Credits
Client: SL Green Realty Corp
Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Lighting Design: Tillotson Design Associates
Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Electrical Contractor: Fred Geller Electrical, Inc.
Lighting Products: Color Kinetics
Lighting & Control Supply: Signify
