In Civic Center, NYC: Centre 360 Opens the Dinkins Building Cupola for Free 360° Views

The cupola atop the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street in Civic Center has opened to the public for the first time since the building was completed in 1914. Run by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Centre 360 is a free, reservation-only visit that takes small groups 580 feet above the city for a full circle of views.

From the cupola balcony, the north view runs to Midtown and the Empire State Building, with the Chrysler Building nearby. East is the East River and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. South opens onto the harbor and bay, and west takes in the courthouses, City Hall and the Hudson. One World Trade Center and the Woolworth Building are also on the list. The balcony sits directly beneath Civic Fame, the 25-foot gilded statue by Adolph Weinman, and the site says it is the only place a visitor can stand there. A phone-based Landmark Hunt game is available during the visit.

Each experience takes eight visitors and lasts about 15 minutes, ascent included. Guests meet at the CityStore entrance on Centre Street, show photo ID to building security and hear a short welcome. An elevator goes to the 24th floor, then a tower elevator continues to the cupola. The group returns to CityStore together.

Visits run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., departing hourly on the hour. The cupola is closed on weekends. Reservations are free and parties are limited to four. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and be at least 42 inches tall. Wear closed-toe shoes. Cameras and phones are fine, but tripods and drones are not allowed, and access depends on the weather.

The building, designed by McKim, Mead and White, was the first U.S. government building constructed directly over a working subway line. Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall is steps away, served by the 4, 5, 6, J, Z, R and W.