Empire State Building
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| Empire State Building | |
|---|---|
| Name | Empire State Building |
| Caption | The Empire State Building, viewed from above |
| Location | 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118 |
| Coordinates | 40, 44, 54, N... |
| Start date | March 17, 1930 |
| Completion date | April 11, 1931 |
| Opening | May 1, 1931 |
| Height | 1,454 ft to tip |
| Floor count | 102 |
| Floor area | 2,248,355 sqft |
| Architect | Shreve, Lamb & Harmon |
| Structural engineer | Homer Gage Balcom |
| Main contractor | Starrett Brothers and Eken |
| Owner | Empire State Realty Trust |
Empire State Building. It is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Upon its completion in 1931, it was the world's tallest building, a title it held for nearly 40 years until the completion of the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1970. The building is named after the nickname for New York state and has become an enduring global icon of American architecture and ambition.
History
The site was previously occupied by the original Waldorf–Astoria hotel, which was purchased and demolished by a group of investors including former New York Governor Al Smith and financier John J. Raskob. The project was conceived during the Roaring Twenties as a speculative office tower, with construction commencing just weeks before the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Despite the onset of the Great Depression, the building was completed on schedule and under budget, opening on May 1, 1931. A famous early incident involved a B-25 Mitchell bomber crashing into the north side in dense fog in July 1945, an event that tested its structural integrity. For decades, it remained a premier corporate address for companies like J.P. Morgan & Co. and ITT Inc., and its ownership has included figures like Harry Helmsley and the current Empire State Realty Trust.
Architecture and design
The architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon designed the building in the Art Deco style, with the lead architect William F. Lamb often credited for the simple, set-back form dictated by the 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution. The exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and granite, with stainless steel mullions and a distinctive chrome-nickel steel spire originally intended as a mooring mast for airships. The lobby is a celebrated Art Deco masterpiece, featuring a mural depicting the building and celestial bodies, crafted from aluminum, gold leaf, and marble. The overall design was influenced by earlier skyscrapers like the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Construction
The general contractors were Starrett Brothers and Eken, renowned for their efficiency. The project was a marvel of industrial-era logistics, utilizing as many as 3,400 workers per day from a pool of European immigrants and Mohawk ironworkers. The steel frame, supplied by American Bridge Company, rose at a record pace of approximately four and a half stories per week. Key innovations included a dedicated railway for materials and the use of derricks and cranes to hoist steel beams. The entire structure was erected in just 410 days, a feat widely covered by media like The New York Times and celebrated as a triumph of American engineering.
Cultural impact
It has been featured in over 250 films and television shows, most famously in the 1933 film King Kong and the romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle. Its image is central to the skyline of Manhattan, symbolizing New York City itself in global media. The building's annual Empire State Building Run-Up is a famous vertical race, and its tower lighting scheme celebrates various holidays, causes, and nations, from orange for United Nations Day to the colors of the Italian flag. It has been referenced in countless works of art, literature, and music, solidifying its status in American popular culture.
Observatory
The building's observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors are among the world's most popular tourist attractions, visited by millions since their opening. The open-air 86th-floor observatory offers panoramic 360-degree views of landmarks like Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. The enclosed 102nd-floor observatory provides a higher, more intimate viewing experience. The observatories have hosted numerous celebrities and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, and The Beatles. Visits are often combined with viewing the exhibits in the newly renovated, immersive second-floor gallery.
Sustainability initiatives
In 2009, owner Empire State Realty Trust embarked on a landmark $550 million retrofit program called the Empire State ReBuilding. This multi-year project, in partnership with companies like Johnson Controls and Jones Lang LaSalle, aimed to reduce the building's carbon footprint by over 40%. Upgrades included refurbishing all 6,514 windows, installing a state-of-the-art building automation system, and modernizing the chiller plant. The efforts earned the building a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the tallest LEED-certified building in the United States at the time and a model for historic preservation and energy efficiency.
Category:Skyscrapers in Manhattan Category:Art Deco architecture in New York City Category:Tourist attractions in Manhattan