NEW YORK -- The Empire State Building (ESB) hosted 20 brave supporters of Outward Bound - along with participant Jared Leto - in a historic rappel down the building’s south façade, in partnership with Outward Bound to raise transformational funds for the charity across the world. Participants total donations exceeded $3 million to Outward Bound, which will make a profound difference in the educational journeys of young people everywhere.

“The Empire State Building is the perfect host to amplify Outward Bound’s charitable mission through this historic rappel, and it reaffirms the Empire State Building’s long-held status as a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience,” said Tony Malkin, chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. “My wife and I chose to join the Big Rappel to benefit a great cause, and I got to see the amazing views from the three levels of our Observatory and the Empire State Building’s few remaining great office leasing opportunities on the way down!”

Leto kicked off the Big Rappel, that spanned nearly 900 feet from the building’s iconic spire down to the 30th floor. Leto famously climbed the “World’s Most Famous Building” in November 2023.

This morning, the Empire State Building hosted a lighting ceremony with Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Trustee of Outward Bound in the UK, who flipped the famous switch. Tonight, at sunset, the Empire State Building will shine in blue, pink, green, and white to honor Outward Bound and their important work with young people and the Big Rappel at the Empire State Building. Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive real-time information about the Empire State Building’s tower lights.

“On behalf of Outward Bound, thank you to the Empire State Building for hosting such an inspirational event. Bringing young people out of their comfort zones and supporting them to achieve something they never thought possible is what Outward Bound is all about. I am so happy to offer my support as a trustee and a great admirer of the Outward Bound Trust and all they stand for - these participants really are an inspiration,” said Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice.

Outward Bound is a worldwide educational and charitable network whose mission is to change young people’s lives through challenge, learning, and adventure. Four Outward Bound organizations - which include Outward Bound International, The Outward Bound Trust, Outward Bound USA, and NYC Outward Bound Schools - united to create this once-in-a-lifetime event.

“Outward Bound has supported young people to push through and challenge themselves for the last 85 years, and the participants of the Big Rappel show that appetite for adventure in abundance,” said Martin Davidson, CEO, The Outward Bound Trust UK. “In the UK, The Trust inspires thousands of young people every year to achieve something they never thought possible by taking them from inner city environments into our national parks where they experience the extraordinary and learn what they are truly capable of.”

The Empire State Building Observatory recently underwent a $165 million reimagination that included the addition of a dedicated visitor entrance, an immersive museum with nine galleries, brand-new, bespoke Observatory Host uniforms, and a new 102nd Floor Observatory with unmatched view. The reimagined Observatory Experience was voted the number one attraction in the U.S. by Tripadvisor travelers for two consecutive years.