The Empire State Building

Officially dedicated in 1931, the Empire State Building stood for over forty years as the tallest building in the world. Considered by some to be one of the modern wonders of the world, the Empire State Building is still the ninth tallest in the world. The race to erect buildings that are taller and more ornate began early in the Twentieth Century and the Empire State Building was an early winner. The latter half of the Twentieth Century saw the introduction of computer aided design systems and modern construction methods and materials. These advancements helped to fuel a boom in skyscraper construction, especially in Asia.

Modern Marvel

Designed and built in a classic Art Deco style, the Empire State Building was built amid the struggles of the Great Depression. Considering the amount of manual labor required during construction, the building was completed in remarkably short period of time. The project employed 3400 workers many of whom were immigrants from Europe and Canada. Workers labored at a near record pace, completing on average four floors per week.

The name was taken from the nickname for the State of New York, the Empire State. The Empire State Building is an icon of the New York City skyline, and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The Art Deco design is reflected both inside and out with the most prominent feature being the top fourteen stories. Like a crown on a king, the aluminum, glass and steel at the top of the Empire State Building stands as a testimony to its modern design.

Rising over 1400 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building features 102 floors. Eighty five stories are utilized for office and commercial space and an observation deck was constructed in the 86th floor. The observation deck draws thousands of visitors a year and provides a spectacular panoramic view of the city and beyond. A second, smaller observation deck is on the 102nd floor. The original design called for the top of the building to be used as docking terminal for dirigibles. The height of the building proved to be an insurmountable challenge.

The Empire State Building and Popular Culture

The Empire State Building and the main observation deck in particular have become part America’s popular culture. The subject of many films and books, the building first appeared in the 1933 film classic King Kong. Kong, the giant gorilla, is portrayed in a classic depiction of beauty and beast. Scaling the side of the building looking for his beauty, portrayed by the iconic actress Fay Ray, Kong reaches the top only to plunge to his death.

The box frame construction of the building was tested during a tragic accident in 1945. Lost in dense fog, an Army Air Corp pilot of flew a Mitchell B25 bomber into the side of the building. Crashing between the 79th and 80th floors, the damage was considerably minor, a testament to the structural integrity of the building. Tragically, 14 people were killed though the death toll would have been much higher had the accident not occurred on a Saturday morning.

Lighting was added to the top of the Empire State Building in the early 1960s and over the years, the lighting systems have been upgraded. Today, the top of the building can be lit in different colors, representative of various themes. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the destruction of the World Trade Center, the crown of the building was illuminated in red, white and blue.

The combination of solid construction and fame ensures that the Empire State Building will remain as an indispensable part of the New York City history.