Going up! (Cushman & Wakefield)

Is there a better way to enjoy the New York City skyline than from its highest point, atop the swiftly rising 1 World Trade Center? How about with a Shackburger and shake in hand?

According to The Times, Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group is among those vying to run the new observation deck on 1 World Trade Center's crown. Why?

Observation decks like the two at the Empire State Building have become so lucrative that the bidding for the three-level attraction on floors 100 through 102 drew bidders from as far as Canada and France, as well as a local restaurant owner.

Not every bidder is as upscale as the highbrow Mr. Meyer. They also include stadium favorites like Aramark (talk about nosebleed seats) and Legends Hospitality, which runs concessions at Yankees and Cowboys games. There is also Montparnasse 56 USA, the aforementioned French company, which runs this.

And then there is Tony Malkin, saluter of 1 World Trade and owner of the very popular Empire State Building and its two observation decks, which, The Times notes, generate some $60 million in profits a year.

Speaking of the top of the Empire State Building, The Times also has a nice story about the new LED lamps that were installed at the city's formerly tallest tower. These have been years in the works, and still will not be up and running for a few months, but the pics of the prismatic possibilities are still really cool.

mchaban [at] observer.com | @MC_NYC