A scenic binocular view capturing famous skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building

One Vanderbilt

Reshaping the Manhattan skyline

Very few things are as iconic as the skyline of New York City, and the opportunity to redefine it doesn’t come along very often. Designed by KPF, One Vanderbilt rose 1,401 feet and made its mark on Manhattan when completed in 2021. During design, Neoscape was charged with giving the world a preview of how this instant icon will shape the city for years to come.

“
One Vanderbilt represents the next evolution in the Manhattan skyline. To demonstrate its significance and tie it back to the city’s history, we choreographed every image to include some element of a New York City icon to help place the new building in its proper historical context.
”

Ryan Cohen Managing Director, NY, Neoscape

High-rise office with a city view, showcasing Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building

Finding perspective

The photography was as important as the 3D visualization for this project. Each shot was carefully choreographed to create a distinct mood and atmosphere. We took inspiration from Ezra Stoller’s architectural photography, paying careful attention to vantage point and lighting conditions.

Vibrant city park scene with people relaxing under blue skies, surrounded by modern skyscrapers.

Low-angle view of a modern glass skyscraper reflecting the blue sky and dramatic cloud formations

A professional standing on a modern balcony overlooking New York City’s historic landmarks

Black and white cityscape view with a vintage coin-operated binocular and the Empire State Building

Smiling helicopter passenger wearing a headset, giving a thumbs-up with city lights in the background

Tourists taking photos from a high-rise observation deck with the Empire State Building behind them

The devil is in the details

Visualizing a building of this significance required careful planning—from photography scouting on rooftops, poring over shadow studies, and waiting for just the right lighting, to mapping the helicopter flight plan, and rendering the smallest façade detail.

Grand city entrance with a modern glass building, historic architecture, and a vibrant streetscape

Awesome skyline

We made sure One Vanderbilt’s majestic presence was felt through the imagery–truly inspiring awe. At the same time, we had to show the building within the context of the existing skyline, relating to the layered architectural language of its peers, the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings.