As a movie opening, it’s an easy way to set the scene without a word. It’s one of the most recognizable sights in the world, but what do you know about the Manhattan Skyline, and where can you see it the best?
Why Is There a Gap in the Manhattan Skyline?
There’s an old rumor, or wives’ tale, that the reason for the valley or gap in the New York City Skyline is because of the rock underfoot. The story goes something like this: skyscrapers need to be moored into bedrock, and the bedrock there is so much deeper it made construction costs astronomical.
But a Rutgers economics professor said that’s a lot of bunk.
The truth of the matter is the same as with all real estate, and the thing that matters most is location, location, location.
The original skyscrapers in New York were built close to City Hall for location reasons. They were built by competing newspapers trying to show off how successful they were, and being close to City Hall was all about getting the news and beating the competition to press.
As the city flourished in the 20th century, skyscrapers were built where the businesses and residents wanted to be. Jason Barr, the Rutgers professor, said the 7 percent increase in cost to build on deeper bedrock was nothing compared to the price of land in Manhattan.
While the bedrock might be a little deeper, more is needed, making construction overly pricey. It’s just that no one wanted to build a high rise in that area. People wanted to build where they could see the city, but not the dirtier, slummier parts, so construction moved north.
But that could be changing.
In 2019, New York real estate was booming again, and some less exciting locations started getting snapped up by developers looking to build high-rise penthouses.
Seven of the nine New York towers over 1,000 feet high were built in the last 15 years. A New York Times look at real estate said,
Regardless, the best view of the New York skyline is from the air or the water. When you board the Skyline Princess and want great photos of the skyline, you’ll want to be on the first deck and looking south if the yacht is north of the Manhattan Bridge.
The cruise leaves the dock at Flushing and then sails south and west to the Statue of Liberty before turning back. You’ll get your best views of the skyline before you go under Manhattan Bridge on the way out and after you pass under it back to the dock. The best ideas and pictures of the Statue of Liberty will happen midway through your cruise.
Choose Skyline for a Memorable Occasion
Now that you’re ready for that entirely new look at the city, it’s time to come aboard. A Skyline Cruise is a great way to spend time with your loved ones, and the Skyline Princess leaves from our conveniently located homeport at the World’s Fair Marina in Queens. Book your cruise online or call (718) 446-1100 to speak with one of our representatives.
