Explained: Why the Empire State Building may never be the same

The Empire State Building, like the city it inhabits, relies on a steady stream of tourists, thriving retail businesses and companies willing to lease its vast amount of office space. The coronavirus pandemic emptied out the attractions, shops and offices, in both the building and the city, for months. Now, as a promised return to normal has once again been put on hold, the plans being made by the building’s occupants reveal a meaningful cultural shift.
 
The observatory: Like other tourist attractions around New York City, the famous observatories on the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd floors sat