Information
Landmark: Empire State BuildingCity: Manhattan
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Empire State Building, Manhattan, USA New York, North America
Overview
Towering over Manhattan, the Empire State Building stands as a true icon and anchors the sharp, glittering outline of New York City’s skyline.Rising in Midtown Manhattan, it’s long stood as a testament to bold design, sharp American ingenuity, and New York’s climb skyward-its steel frame catching the afternoon sun.You’ll find it at 350 Fifth Avenue, tucked between 33rd and 34th Streets in the heart of Manhattan, New York City.It rises 1,250 feet (381 meters) to the roof, and with its antenna reaching skyward, the total height comes to 1,454 feet (443 meters).The building rises 102 stories, high enough to make your ears pop in the elevator.They built it in just 13 months, and on May 1, 1931, the doors swung open to the public.Shreve, Lamb & Harmon designed it in the sleek Art Deco style, a hallmark of its historic charm.When it opened, it claimed the title of tallest building in the world, rising higher than the gleaming silver spire of the Chrysler Building.It kept the title for almost forty years, right up until the World Trade Center rose in 1970, its steel gleaming in the sun.Dreamed up in the skyscraper boom of the 1920s and ’30s, it captured the era’s bold economic optimism-even though its doors opened in the shadow of the Great Depression.Built in the Art Deco style, it rises with bold vertical lines, crisp symmetry, and gleaming ornamental details.Indiana limestone and granite wrap the exterior, while sleek aluminum spandrels stretch between the windows, drawing the eye upward like sunlight racing along a wall.The spire was first designed to serve as a mooring mast for dirigibles-those long, silver airships-but the plan didn’t work out and was eventually dropped.They broke ground in March 1930 and wrapped it up by April 1931-a lightning-fast turnaround for a project of that size, with steel beams rising almost overnight.More than 3,400 people worked on it, including immigrants and Mohawk ironworkers from Canada, their boots ringing against the steel in the morning chill.Famed for its lightning-fast build and flawless efficiency, it earned the nickname “Eighth Wonder of the World.” From the open-air 86th-floor deck, you can take in sweeping views of New York-Central Park’s green expanse, the gleam of the Statue of Liberty, the buzz of Times Square, and far beyond.It’s the best-known spot, and people flock here every day, snapping photos by the old stone fountain.The enclosed 102nd Floor Observatory offers a smaller space with floor-to-ceiling glass, perfect for anyone wanting to take in the view from even higher up.The decks stay open every day, drawing millions of visitors each year, some pausing to feel the wind whip across the rail.The towering landmark has left its mark on culture, turning up in countless films and TV shows-most memorably in *King Kong* (1933), when the massive ape clings to the steel frame high above the city.You might remember it from movies like *Sleepless in Seattle*, *Elf*, *An Affair to Remember*, or *Independence Day*, where it glows against the night sky.It stood as a proud symbol of New York’s resilience, especially after 9/11, when for a time it reclaimed the title of the city’s tallest building, its steel frame catching the morning light.At the very top of the Empire State Building, a cutting-edge LED system can splash the night sky with millions of color combinations, from deep crimson to icy blue.The lighting shifts to mark holidays, support charities, celebrate big wins, and spotlight world events-sometimes glowing deep red or shimmering gold.Now and then, special light shows pulse in time with music drifting from a broadcast.The building’s offices buzz with activity, home to tech startups, media teams, and nonprofits, from quiet coding rooms to bright, poster-lined studios.This popular spot draws crowds to its high observation decks and bustling visitor zones, bringing in a steady stream of revenue.Over the past few decades, the Empire State Building has undergone major energy-saving upgrades-new insulated windows, smarter lighting-transforming it into a landmark example of sustainable skyscraper renovation.It earned LEED Gold certification, a clear sign of its commitment to today’s environmental standards-like energy-efficient lighting that glows warm at dusk.Each year, Tourism and Visitor Experience greets more than four million people, from families snapping photos by the fountain to travelers exploring every corner.Inside, it feels like stepping into a museum, with displays on its history, the way it was built, and even its place in pop culture-right down to a vintage movie poster on the wall.Interactive displays and a choice of languages make the visit more engaging, like hearing a guide explain in your own tongue.The Empire State Building rises over Manhattan as a bold testament to New York City’s ambition, spirit, and place in the world, its gleaming spire still catching the eye of both lifelong residents and wide-eyed tourists.
