The highest outdoor observation deck in the western hemisphere, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), has opened at Hudson Yards in New York after nearly two years of construction.

Edge takes the form of a triangular platform that extends 80ft (24m) out from the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards at a height of 1,131ft (345m).

William Pedersen, founding and design principal at KPF, explained that it has been designed to form part of the building's dialogue with the surrounding city.

“The Edge observation deck is the most dramatic in a series of gestures which link KPF’s buildings, in the Hudson Yards development, to the principal surrounding structures of the city,” he said.

“Gesturing directly towards the Empire State Building, and higher than its observation deck, Edge pays homage to its role as the most emblematic of all New York buildings.”

The deck, described by KPF as "marvel of modern engineering and structural design", measures 7,500sq ft (697sq m), is made of 15 sections that are bolted together and weighs in at 765,000lb (347,000kg).

Featuring a glass floor and 9ft (3m)-high outwardly-angled glass walls, it allows visitors to look directly down to the ground, to lean out over Manhattan and to take in panoramic views of up to 80mi (130km).

As part of the attraction, there is a restaurant, bar and event space on the 101st floor, the interior of which was designed by Rockwell Group, and an experience leading up to the observation deck called ‘Journey to Edge’ that was created by LAB at Rockwell Group, the firm’s experience design studio.

Melissa Hoffman, principal and studio leader for LAB at Rockwell Group, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible project. Edge takes visitors on an experiential journey starting from the dedicated queuing area, all the way up to the breathtaking reveal of the 360-degree city view."