NY-EMPIRE-STATE-REALTY
16.6.2024 20:42:34 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
A 270-foot-long dragon has landed in the center of New York City – atop the iconic Empire State Building (ESB). In partnership with Max, ESB has acknowledged that Vhagar the Dragon has coiled herself around its mast just as ESB and Max cap off their weeklong “House of the Dragon” takeover.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240616631517/en/
Empire State Building Debuts 270-Foot Vhagar the Dragon Coiled Around the Building’s Mast, in Partnership with Max (Photo: Business Wire)
The best views of Vhagar are in Manhattan from the south of ESB, and unique selfie moments are available from ESB itself where she scans for prey with her huge head extended over the southern deck of ESB’s 86th Floor Observatory. ESB’s lights have been set so fans can witness a series of dynamic light shows which feature the dragon against schemes of gold, green, and red.
“Just after the Empire State Building pledged its allegiance to the King, Vhagar descended upon the heart of New York City and has claimed the mast of the ‘World’s Most Famous Building’ as her perch,” said ESRT Chairman and CEO Tony Malkin. “Citizens of Westeros can now sit in the Iron Throne at the Observatory’s grand staircase and then rise to the 86th Floor to face the colossal beast up close as they take in the unmatched, 360-degree views from our world-famous Observatory – Tripadvisor’s #1 attraction in the United States.”
Affixed by more than 153 rigging points, Vhagar is made up of 1,700 total patterns and 600,000 inches of sewn seams. The giant dragon was created in partnership with creative agency Giant Spoon and fabricated by Bigger Than Life Advertising Inc. The company’s President Mark Bachman was a manager on the Empire State Building’s King Kong installation in 1983.
The “House of the Dragon” takeover included a photo opportunity with the iconic Iron Throne, a visit from the “House of the Dragon” cast, and an interactive photo booth on the 80th Floor. This partnership with Max is just one of several recent events at the Empire State Building which have garnered global attention, which include partnerships with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 x WhatsApp, Outward Bound, and “Star Wars.”
The Empire State Building Observatory recently underwent a $165 million reimagination that included the addition of a dedicated visitor entrance, an immersive museum with nine galleries, brand-new, bespoke Observatory Host uniforms, and a new 102nd Floor Observatory with unmatched views. The reimagined Observatory Experience has been voted the #1 attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best for two consecutive years.
Tickets to see the dragon at the Empire State Building Observatory can be purchased here. Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive real-time information about the Empire State Building’s tower lights.
Hi-res imagery and video of all elements of the House of the Dragon takeover can be found here.
About the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience creates an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, the #1 attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best for two consecutive years, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List.
Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.
About House of the Dragon
Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen. Co-Creator/Executive Producer George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere, Vince Gerardis. Season two returning cast includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham. New season two cast are Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.
Source: Empire State Realty Trust
Category: Observatory
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240616631517/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Mary Kay Extends Winning Streak With Fourth Year as #1 in Global Direct Selling Beauty23.6.2026 14:03:00 CEST | Press release
Euromonitor International Recognizes Mary Kay’s Sustained Leadership In Skin Care And Color Cosmetics Mary Kay Inc., the iconic beauty and entrepreneurship company, has once again been named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World1 by Euromonitor International, sustaining its legacy of excellence for the fourth consecutive year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260623487381/en/ Mary Kay Inc., the iconic beauty and entrepreneurship company, for the fourth year in a row has been named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World by Euromonitor International. (Image Credit: Mary Kay Inc.) “Earning the #1 global ranking from Euromonitor for the fourth consecutive year comes as a powerful endorsement of the impact of our Independent Beauty Consultants around the world who drive our success every day,” said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay
Kobie 2026 Heart of Loyalty Report Reveals Growing Gap Between Consumer Expectations and Brand Loyalty Strategies23.6.2026 14:00:00 CEST | Press release
Global study finds consumers are more ready for AI, more willing to share data, and more motivated by recognition and shared values than many brands realize Kobie, a global leader in loyalty technology and services, today released its 2026 Heart of Loyalty Report, which surveyed both consumers and practitioners, revealing significant gaps between consumer expectations and brand loyalty strategies across AI adoption, data sharing, recognition, advocacy, and community engagement. Kobie's 2026 Heart of Loyalty Report found that: 57% of consumers are willing to engage with AI-powered brand experiences, yet 56% of loyalty practitioners believe customers are not ready for AI. 77% of consumers want recognition from brands, but only 55% feel seen as individuals. 72% of consumers say they would refer a brand without an incentive, yet many referral strategies remain heavily dependent on rewards. Rewards are the strongest driver of willingness to share personal data, yet only 65% of practitioners
Veristat Strengthens Biostatistics, Drug Development Advisory, and People Leadership to Support Growth in Complex Clinical Development23.6.2026 13:05:00 CEST | Press release
Dr. Zhaohui Su and Dr. Gil Fine deepen Veristat’s biostatistics expertise, Scott Tarrant leads Strategic Drug Development Advisory, and Clint Wolfe joins as Chief Human Resources Officer VeristatTM, a global clinical research organization (CRO) and consultancy specializing in complex studies, today announced four strategic leadership hires that advance its mission to accelerate novel therapy approvals in complex disease areas, including cell and gene therapy, oncology, and rare disease. Building on its 30-year foundation in biostatistics and its recent acquisition of the medical writing and regulatory submission business of Certara, Veristat is deepening its scientific expertise and expanding its operational leadership to meet growing client demand. Dr. Zhaohui Su and Dr. Gil Fine join Veristat’s Strategic Drug Development Advisory team in biostatistical leadership roles, collaborating with Scott Tarrant, who has been named Executive Vice President of the team. In addition, Clint Wolfe
Bacardi Takes Full Ownership of TEELING® Irish Whiskey23.6.2026 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
Irish whiskey brand joins family-owned company’s portfolio of premium brands Bacardi Limited has announced the completion of a transaction that makes the family-owned company the sole owner of the Teeling Whiskey Company and the TEELING® Irish whiskey brand. Founders Jack and Stephen Teeling will remain a part of the brand, shaping its future and driving growth for the long term as strategic advisors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260623858211/en/ Three expressions of Teeling Irish Whiskey: Single Grain, Small Batch and Single Malt Today’s announcement follows the successful relationship the two companies have enjoyed since Bacardi acquired a minority stake in the Dublin-based whiskey company in 2017. Bacardi subsequently increased its stake to become the majority shareholder in 2022. “TEELING is the perfect fit for Bacardi,” says Mahesh Madhavan, Chief Executive Officer, Bacardi Limited. “The brand stands f
Bending Spoons S.p.A. announces launch of initial public offering23.6.2026 12:15:00 CEST | Press release
Bending Spoons S.p.A. (“Bending Spoons”), a leading technology company, today announces the launch of its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of its ordinary shares. A total of 57,971,015 ordinary shares are being offered, of which 34,398,640 are being offered by Bending Spoons and 23,572,375 are being offered by certain selling shareholders (the “Selling Shareholders”). In connection with the offering, Bending Spoons and the Selling Shareholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 5,244,026 ordinary shares from Bending Spoons and an additional 3,451,626 ordinary shares from the Selling Shareholders at the IPO price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The IPO price is currently estimated to be between $26.00 and $28.00 per share. Bending Spoons has applied to list its ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “BSP.” Goldman Sachs International, J.P. Morgan, and Allen & Company LLC are acting as joint l
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom