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City in the sky - check out these incredible photos of Manhattan from above

The number of skyscrapers in Manhattan has doubled to 56 in the last ten years, and another 19 are on the way.

THE ISLAND OF Manhattan in New York City is a very distinctive place, as anyone who has visited can attest (and for most travelling Irish, Manhattan is New York).

Viewed from a plane arriving into JFK Airport the little island is akin to a mushroom of huge office buildings, huddled together for warmth at the mouth of the Hudson river.

You might be surprised to learn that the number of skyscrapers in Manhattan has doubled in the last ten years, and it’s set to almost treble to a total of 75 in the years to come as the island goes through a period of unprecedented high-rise development.

That evolution, for good and ill, is detailed by 80-year-old writer Pete Hamill, a native of the city, in a piece in the December issue of National Geographic magazine.

ngm_december_2015_cvr National Geographic National Geographic

The article is illustrated by some incredible aerial views of the New York skyline by photographer George Steinmetz, who has just released a book of his own, New York Air: The View From Above.

new_new_york_ngm_1215_MM8401_001 Manhattan's skyline is undergoing dramatic change George Steinmetz / National Geographic George Steinmetz / National Geographic / National Geographic

new_new_york_ngm_1215_MM8401_013 One World Trade Center, built to replace the twin towers destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, bathed in light as the sun sets. The tower now stands as the tallest building in the US George Steinmetz / National Geographic George Steinmetz / National Geographic / National Geographic

new_new_york_ngm_1215_MM8401_004 This distorted pyramid on West 57th Street contains 750 apartments and testifies to the city’s flirtation with adventurous residential architecture George Steinmetz / National Geographic George Steinmetz / National Geographic / National Geographic

Steinmetz is a specialised aerial photographer. He uses a helicopter of his own design, something he calls a “flying lawn chair” which frees him to capture the likes of these images.

Not all of Pete Hamill’s feelings toward the glass towers he finds himself surrounded by are positive.

“The city is wealthier and healthier than when I was young,” he says.

But – hey, in New York there’s always a but – it’s architectural face is colder, more remote, less human, seeming to be sneering.
In Manhattan the new superthin, supertall buildings are blocking the sky, casting long, arrogant shadows on streets once caressed by sun.

That may be so, but the place is still a photographer’s dream, as these shots by aerial expert Steinmetz show.

new_new_york_ngm_1215_MM8401_003 The 850-foot Pier 45 at Christopher and West Streets in Greenwich Village - a top-down view from the air George Steinmetz / National Geographic George Steinmetz / National Geographic / National Geographic

new_new_york_ngm_1215_MM8401_006 The Conrad Hotel, an environmentally friendly Lower Manhattan hotel, sports a green roof with a chef’s garden George Steinmetz / National Geographic George Steinmetz / National Geographic / National Geographic

Read: This couple’s photo project will resonate with anyone in a long-distance relationship

Read: His book was banned and burned, but JP Donleavy has had the last laugh

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33 Comments
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    Mute Setrakian
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:25 PM

    I visited the One World Tower a few weeks ago – it’s an incredible building & experience. The lift took all of 60 seconds to get the the top floor! Once you see Manhattan / NYC from 150 floors above – it’s awwwwsome man – truly special.

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    Mute Rehabmeerkat
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:44 PM

    You picked up the AWESOME lingo too

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    Mute Cosmo Kramer
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:18 AM

    The video they show on the wall when you get off the lift is amazing because when the video is over the screen moves up to reveal New York in all its glory..

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    Mute Kilbur
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 7:40 AM

    Wow thanks for the spoilers!

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    Mute Gooney
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:25 PM

    We’re just on the way back from NY.By god it’s gone very expensive in the past 10 years!$15 for two beers,over $20 for a fast food type burger,and $13 for a pack of smokes!But it’s a great city,a must see place to visit!!!

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    Mute Mr. Unwieldy
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:36 PM

    Inflation my friend

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    Mute Paul Darby
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 1:00 AM

    Weak euro more like, your probably hitting the wrong places for a burger if your paying $20. Was it a Kobe burger?

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    Mute Huey Johnson
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:02 PM

    You can still get a hotdog for $2

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    Mute John Collins
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:51 PM

    Love Manhattan.

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    Mute Gary
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:19 PM

    Yep, a country with 4 million people should be able to compete financially with 250 million people living in the worlds largest economy.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:02 PM

    There are 7 million here, and 320 million in the US.

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    Mute Gary
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:16 PM

    6,526,856 million here and 322,583,006 in the U.S.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:21 PM

    Wow – well done – you were only 2.5 million & 70 million off the first time.

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    Mute Gary
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:26 PM

    It’s all irrelevant to my original comment (worlds largest economy), hence my second comment, replying to your comment. I’m sure both populations have changed in the last few minutes but I couldn’t care less.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Nov 21st 2015, 11:17 PM

    Yeah, who cares about numbers when you’re quoting numbers, eh!?

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 1:05 AM

    Eh gary hate to tell you but China and India might have something to say about that world largest economy quote of yours

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 11:11 AM

    Stop annoying him with facts, Colm. He has a point to make – and he’s going to make it even if it means being 70 million off.

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    Mute MeanderingsNI
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 12:30 PM

    What exactly is the point?? Anyway i think the main problem you have is comparing ireland and the US in the first place, they are chalk and cheese, comparing the two is like setting yourself up to fail…

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    Mute Supernova
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:03 PM

    Nearly as inspiring and flattering as the liberty hall skyscraper..

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    Mute Mr. Unwieldy
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:35 PM

    Whoa down, nothing comes close to liberty Hall. The Italians tried I’m pisa and look what happened a sham of a leaning tower. Pfft pathetic

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    Mute Mr. Unwieldy
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:35 PM

    In pisa

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    Mute kizzy
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 12:18 AM

    New York New York my home for the past 20 years it never gets boring truly an amazing city

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    Mute MeanderingsNI
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 12:28 PM

    stay there

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    Mute Al
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 12:50 PM

    It’s ugly dirty and expensive. Amazing? I disagree

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    Mute kizzy
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:03 PM

    Each to their own Al

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    Mute Al
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:26 PM

    True, so long as your happy wherever you are.

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    Mute Dave O'Reilly
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:38 PM

    I wish I had visited a mountain range instead of ny. I expected more visually. nature is much more impressive than man made. eye of the beholder and all that

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    Mute Setrakian
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    Nov 21st 2015, 10:47 PM

    When in Rone or Manhattan Rehabmeerkat!

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    Mute paul compton
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    Nov 21st 2015, 9:49 PM

    @newyorkairbook does not exist.

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    Mute MeanderingsNI
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 12:27 PM

    wow, isn’t it just like Dublin…………pfft

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    Mute Al
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 1:06 PM

    How’s life in Belfast these days?

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    Mute MeanderingsNI
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:38 PM

    Dont know Al, i only lived there for 2 years. I live in Dublin, before which i lived in Belfast, Toronto Dublin again and London. All had a sense of realness and feeling completely absent in Dublin..

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    Mute Al
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 2:48 PM

    Out of all the cities in the world ive visited, Dublin is one where you get a true sense of realness for sure. No better city for it. If I wasn’t happy in a place I would move. Hope you find your happiness.

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