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Empire State Building

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CONSTRUCTING HISTORY

1928

The original location of the renowned Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Fifth Avenue is sold to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation for an estimated $20 million. In just a few years the building is demolished, becoming the site of the world’s most ambitious building project – the Empire State Building.

1929

Former General Motors executive John Jakob Raskob, along with Coleman du Pont, Pierre S. du Pont, Louis G. Kaufman, and Ellis P. Earle, form Empire State, Inc. and name Alfred E. Smith, former Governor of New York, to head the corporation.

1930

Construction of the Empire State Building begins on March 17. Occupying a central spot on Fifth Avenue, it is to be the world’s first 100+ story building. With the direction of architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates and builders Starrett Bros. & Eken, the framework rises 4 ½ stories per week.

1931

In a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days, construction on the building is completed. The 102-story building is the talk of the town and, on May 1, President Hoover presses a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the building and turning on the Empire State Building’s lights for the very first time.

1932

As the world’s tallest building, the Empire State Building quickly becomes an acclaimed tourist attraction. People from across the world flock to the building, paying 10 cents to peer through a telescope at New York City. In 6 months, the building collects more than $3,000 in nickels and dimes.

1933

“King Kong” debuts in New York City on March 2nd, putting the Empire State Building front-and-center for one of cinema’s most famous films. It’s the first of many iconic roles the building will play on the silver screen and among its most important pop culture moments.

1946

Fifteen years after its opening, the Empire State Building had become the headquarters for several major organizations and approximately 15,000 employees. By this point, the Empire State was among the world’s most profitable buildings and one of its most recognizable and beloved pieces of architecture.

1950

To allow more stations to use the Empire State Building antenna, the building installs a new 222-foot tall, 60-ton antenna, pushing the spire height to 1,472 feet.

1955

The American Society of Civil Engineers selects the Empire State Building as one of the seven greatest engineering achievements in America’s history, ranking it alongside the Hoover Dam and Panama Canal – one of many distinctions the building has received over the years.

1956

As a symbol of welcome and freedom to visitors, four large beacon lights are installed at the foot of the tower. These beacons, which could be seen across the city, were known as “The Freedom Lights.”

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

AN ART DECO ICON

Discover what makes the Empire State Building The World’s Most Famous Building.

THE IMAGE OF NYC

With its soaring height and signature design, the Empire State Building defines the New York City skyline. The world’s most magnificent Art Deco skyscraper, it’s a living piece of New York history and an instantly recognizable symbol of city culture today.

A MASSIVE FEAT

Standing at 102 stories and 1,454 feet at its pinnacle, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years after its completion. Today, it remains one of the world’s great towers and an unmatched architectural wonder.

TRULY TIMELESS

Opened in 1931 on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building is located in the heart of NYC. A testament to the power of American industry, the Empire State was the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors, and its steel frame was considered a modern marvel.

The building’s Art Deco design has inspired visitors from around the world. At nightfall, the 200-foot crowning spire captures the city’s gaze, illuminated by tower lights that dazzle with ever-changing combinations of color. It’s no wonder the Empire State Building is the most photographed building in the world.

AN ARTISTIC LANDMARK

Millions of visitors every year travel through our Fifth Avenue lobby at the end of their Observatory visit. The revitalized atrium showcases the magic of art deco style. Shimmering starbursts and metallic touches gild the halls, elevators, and ceiling. It’s a true piece of New York history, and designated a landmark by the Landmark Preservation Commission.

REVITALIZED FOR TODAY

The Empire State ReBuilding initiative was launched with the goal of restoring the building to its original splendor, so that it could be preserved for generations to come. Every step of the way, the effort honors the vision of its designers and engineers nearly a century ago.

TURNING BACK TIME

After nearly a century, many of the building’s key design elements, from the lighting and glasswork to the marble interiors, had weathered. As a result, some of these defining pieces were in danger of being lost.

Today, more than 12,000 feet of historic glassware has been recreated with meticulous attention to detail by a team of artisans and historians. Damaged marble has been removed and replaced with new stone. The result is an ESB experience that’s faithful to the history of the building.

DAZZLING ARTISTRY

Among the building’s most striking design artifacts is the vast mural along the ceiling of the lobby. It depicts a celestial sky in classic Art Deco style, adorned with 23-karat gold stars, sunbursts, and gears. For decades, it welcomed visitors to the building – however, in the 1960s, it was painted over and covered with a dropped ceiling.

In 2007, artists and historians began to recreate this mural in all its original brilliance. Two years, 20,000 working hours, and several thousand square feet of gold and aluminum leaf later, the lobby ceiling once again captivates visitors as it did on the building’s opening day.

EVOLVING EVERY DAY

Our efforts for a more sustainable Empire State Building have introduced new energy-efficient technology into the building without compromising its beauty and design. This will ensure the Empire State Building remains a global icon for generations to come.

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Contact

+1 212-736-3100
(212) 687-8700
esbnyc.com
facebook.com/empirestatebuilding
instagram.com/empirestatebldg

Opening Hours

Monday: 11:00 - 23:00

Tuesday: 11:00 - 23:00

Open now

Wednesday: 11:00 - 23:00

Thursday: 11:00 - 23:00

Friday: 09:00 - 24:00

Saturday: 09:00 - 24:00

Sunday: 09:00 - 24:00

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Agent

Benjamin Koola

BenjaminKoola@triphock.com

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