Pushing yourself out over the edge of a building may not seem like the wisest of ideas, but at the US Bank Tower in Los Angeles, US, you can now pay to do just that. As part of the new OUE Skyspace LA observation deck, a glass "Skyslide" has been installed on the side of the building.
OUE Skyspace LA, which was announced earlier this year, occupies levels 69 and 70 of the US Bank Tower, with two outdoor observation decks on level 69 that face NW and SE. The decks cover 2,500 sq ft (232 sq m) of space and give visitors 360-degree views of the surrounding area, up to 34 mi (55 km) into the distance.
Level 70 of the Skyspace accommodates a private event space and bar that can be hired for the likes of corporate meetings, social events and weddings. It also houses the entrance to main attraction: the Skyslide.
The fully enclosed slide is made of 1.25-in (32-mm) thick clear glass. It clings to the side of the tower 1,000 ft (305 m) above the ground and stretches diagonally down for 45 ft (14 m) from level 70 to level 69. Weighing in at 7,000 lb (3,175 kg), it was airlifted onto the 69th floor observation deck via helicopter, before being hoisted into place and installed.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with a evening of performances was held at OUE Skyspace LA on June 24, after which it opened to the public for the first time on June 25. Over 5,000 tickets to the Skyspace were said to have been sold for the opening day alone, with over 2,400 people riding the slide.
Source: OUE Skyspace LA