NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2017 : Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) today announced the Grand Prize winner of its sixth annual photo contest. The winner, Arnold Blair from New York, NY, will be awarded a prize of USD5,000 for his photo that showcases the stunning views of sunrise from the world-famous 86th floor Observatory of the Empire State Building (ESB).
Taken while visiting during the "Sunrise Experience," the exclusive access to the Observatory - with only 100 tickets sold per sunrise - provided Mr. Blair with an unforgettable opportunity to see, hear and feel the city wake up from a serene vantage point.Additionally, runner-up Frank Little from Cranford, NJ, will be awarded a USD1,500 prize for capturing the building in signature white as the moon rises.
The winning photo will be featured as ESB's profile picture from November 1 through November 30, 2017, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Mr. Blair's photo will also be displayed in ESB's highly trafficked Fifth Avenue lobby windows along with the photo entries from the runner-up, 37 finalists, and weekly winners.
Photographers of all skill levels were invited to participate in the annual contest that ran from June 28, 2017 through August 9, 2017. The contest has become a beloved tradition for fans to showcase their talent and admiration for the building and capture the international icon's uniqueness both from the exterior and while visiting its world-famous Observatories.
"Entrants continuously impress us with their ability to photograph stunning depictions of the building in various moments in time," said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman, and CEO of ESRT. "The winning contestant was chosen because his submission captured the true essence of what it's like to experience the sunrise from the World's Most Famous Building."
Both winners will have their photos showcased to ESB's global online community via the building's social media channels. Additionally, the finalists may be featured in future ESB materials.