06/05/2026
Project Spotlight! One Times Square, New York 🌆
Interlayer: SentryGlas®
Glazier: W&W Glass
Glass processor: sedak GmbH & Co. KG
Architect: S9 Architecture
Architect of Record: SLCE Architects
Developer: Jamestown L.P.
Construction Manager: Turner Construction Company / Promethean Builders
Year: 2026
Pictures © Kuraray
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Rising above the heart of Times Square, the newly redeveloped One Times Square introduces an immersive viewing experience that brings visitors closer than ever to one of the world’s most recognizable intersections. The entertainment attraction’s viewing deck features dramatic structural glass wind screens reaching over 8 feet tall, along with a transparent glass floor that creates a thrilling perspective high above the city streets.
Delivering these highly transparent structural glass elements presented a unique set of challenges. According to Jeff Haber, Managing Partner at W&W Glass, “The biggest challenge was the logistics for everything - from unloading materials and securing manpower access to working at the building’s edge, all while maintaining a safe environment for both workers and pedestrians and meeting the project schedule.”
The observation deck’s design also required an innovative installation approach. “The product design was different because it had to provide installation access for the wind screens entirely from the interior floor slabs, with no exterior access available for installation or future glass replacement,” explains Haber. “This required a specialized base assembly and gantry rigging system to set and adjust the glass to level. We also had to develop a day-two replacement strategy for the client and incorporate anti-reflective coatings to maintain clear views in such a highly illuminated environment as Times Square.”
To support the demanding structural requirements of a glass flooring system in a high-traffic public environment, laminated glass incorporating SentryGlas® interlayers were selected. Known for its exceptional strength, stiffness, and post-breakage performance, SentryGlas® helps the glass floor maintain structural integrity while delivering outstanding clarity for uninterrupted views below.
The resulting experience is defined by openness and transparency. As Haber notes, “These structural glass systems allow for very open, unobstructed views of the Times Square area and all the visual activations that it is known for.”
Beyond the observation deck itself, the project also includes a remarkable glass elevator enclosure that further enhances the visitor journey. “The elevator enclosure is a unique design that encompasses a vast uninterrupted glass enclosure as you ride the elevator more than 290 feet up the side of the building,” says Haber. “The heavy laminated glass is cantilevered from the building with no vertical supports, providing wide-open views for occupants. It is the most transparent installation of its kind in North America.”
