MSG

Forget courtside - up to a thousand fans will get to sit in premium nosebleed seats on the two sky bridges that will be built five stories above the playing floor as part of the $850 million inside-out reconstruction of Madison Square Garden, the "world's most famous arena."

"This is our signature element. It will be a unique experience in sports and entertainment," Hank Ratner, CEO of Madison Square Garden, told The Post.

Rather than merely renovate the Garden, the project, funded without a dime in taxpayer subsidies, calls for building an entirely new arena in the shell of the 1968 building, he said.

"This gives us the best of both worlds. We keep what's iconic -- the exterior and the famous ceiling -- and create a whole new building," Ratner said.

After conducting focus groups with fans, MSG officials found that the biggest complaints were over the arena's lobby, its narrow concourses, the limited food choices, the lack of bathrooms and the poor sightlines at the higher levels, Ratner said.

One longtime complaint about the Garden is that the building gives no sense of its location in the heart of Manhattan.

By moving out most of the office space, the revamp will turn the somewhat claustrophobic lower concourse into a wide thoroughfare with city views, shopping and a slew of high-end dining options.

This concourse will also pay homage to the Garden's history, with tributes to Knick and Ranger championships to such landmark events as the Ali-Frazier fight.

Also, as part of the first phase, to be completed for the 2011-12 season, is the addition of 20 "event-level" suites. Located below courtside and featuring kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and dining rooms "nicer than most apartments in Manhattan," the suites lead right up to the best seats in the house.

The sky bridges and new lobby are set to be completed for the 2013-14 season, along with a party deck on the 10th floor and remodeled upper-level suites.