New York is a city of thousands of skyscrapers, each of which is unique and inimitable in its own way. But only one of them managed to gain worldwide fame and become firmly entrenched in the history of the city forever. The Big Apple is proud of the Empire State Building - its most recognizable landmark.
Located in the southern part of Manhattan, near 5th Avenue, at the intersection of 33rd and 34th streets. Nearby are several important places in the city, such as the City University of New York, Madison Avenue and Broadway. You can get there by car or public transport.
Skyscraper height
The height of the Empire State Building in New York is just over 443 meters (including the spire), and the height of the roof of the building is 381 m. The last floor is located at 373.1 m.
In total, the building has 103 floors. All of them occupy an area of more than 200 thousand square meters. For the convenience of visitors, it is equipped with 73 elevators, which will take you to the very top in a matter of minutes.
85 tiers are reserved for offices. There are observation platforms on two more. The rest of the building contains exhibition halls, trading areas and rooms for business meetings and negotiations.
Story
It began its history at the beginning of the last century. At that time, a real boom in the construction of high-rise buildings began in America.
Design
A famous architect, William Lamb, was invited to work on the project. The legendary high-rise was not his first creation. He also designed the famous Carew Tower and the Reynolds Building.
According to the author's idea, the object was to become not only the tallest building, but also the first 100-story building in America. As a result, according to the project, the Empire State Building gained 103 floors and a 60-meter spire. The latter, by the way, was originally intended to be used for remooring airships. However, due to the danger of collision and constant strong winds, it was decided to abandon this idea. The spire is now used as a radio and television antenna.
Construction
Construction began in 1930. The main contractors were the brothers Starrett and Eken. The project was financed by Pierre Dupont and John Raskob.
Almost 3.5 thousand workers from Europe were involved in the process, as well as foundry workers of Indian origin, who were not at all afraid of heights.
At the time of construction, an old hotel was located on the site where construction was planned. The previous building had to be demolished, and the hotel itself was moved to Fifth Avenue.
Several tons of aluminum, steel, limestone, concrete and granite were used to bring the project to life. Construction lasted only 13 months, which by those standards was very fast.
Opening
It was inaugurated on May 1, 1931. The red ribbon was cut by the then head of state, Al Smith. At the same moment, the President of the country pressed a button in the capital, and the high-rise building shone with thousands of lights.
Despite all the pomp, it did not initially gain much popularity. This reaction was primarily due to the Great Depression that was prevailing in America at that time.
Due to the crisis, the offices were completely filled only after a decade. The skyscraper brought its first profit only in 1951.
Among the most original are:
- elevators go up in 1 minute;
- There is an annual speed climbing competition. The first person to climb 1,860 steps will receive $1 million;
- during the Second World War, a plane crashed into a skyscraper due to heavy fog;
- in the Empire State Building there is a hall dedicated to world records;
- the high-rise has its own index;
- the name represents the greatness of New York State;
- more than 50 weddings are held here every year;
- attendance – about 35 thousand people per year;
- Almost 100 lightning strikes the Empire State Building every year;
- the high-rise “played” the main role in the film about King Kong;
- during its history, the building has survived more than two dozen suicides;
- included in the US National Register of Historic Places;
- A professional athlete from Australia completed all the steps in less than 10 minutes.
Specifications
The height, including the spire, is slightly more than 440 m. The width of the structure is 140 m. The choice of these dimensions is due to the need for natural lighting and proper installation of the ventilation system. The main support is the first five flights of stairs of the building, which contain shops and a lobby.
The Empire State Building has 6,500 windows covering a total area of 2 km². The design is as simple as possible. This greatly facilitated and accelerated the construction process.
The spire consists of 16 tiers. At its very top there is an antenna that transmits television and radio signals throughout the country.
Architectural features
The main distinguishing feature of the buildings of the early 20th century was restraint and elegance. In this regard, The Empire State Building was built in the classic Art Deco style. The façade is finished in steel and gray limestone slabs.
The Empire State Building was one of the first skyscrapers to be built using prefabricated steel frames. The assembled structure was covered with bricks, and then lined.
Lighting
In addition to the usual lighting, it is equipped with additional lighting. In 1964, special spotlights were installed on the upper part, and the famous high-rise began to sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow.
The color scheme is chosen depending on the day and event. For example, on the days of sports games the top lights up with the colors of a particular team, on the day of gay pride parades - with multi-colored flowers, and on St. Patrick's Day - green.
When the world heard the news about the death of Frank Sinatra, in memory of him the building was dressed in blue; in honor of the birthday of the Queen of Great Britain, the skyscraper lit up with the colors of the royal house.
Interior
The lobby is decorated with German marble, in subdued gray and purple tones. At the end of the corridor there is an aluminum bas-relief depicting a skyscraper bathed in the rays of the sun.
Observation platforms
Thanks to the observation platforms, it has become extremely popular among both local residents and city guests. In total, more than 110 million people have already visited it.
The high-rise building boasts two of them at once. One is located on the 86th tier. The viewing angle from this place is as much as 360 degrees, thanks to which the Big Apple is visible at a glance.
An equally impressive view opens from the 102nd tier. This observation platform is slightly smaller in size than the first one, and for maximum safety of visitors, it is completely glazed. It doesn't work all the time. On very busy days the site is closed.
There is an exciting attraction on the 2nd floor. It was created specifically for guests of the famous metropolis. New York Skyride is a simulated flight over New York City. The virtual journey lasts 25 minutes. During this time, you can fly around the entire city and visit its most famous attractions in absentia.
The attraction is open all year round. Ticket price is $52. Opening hours: from 8.00 to 22.00.
Exhibition "Sustainability"
It is also famous for its unusual exhibitions. First, you should go to the second floor of the building and visit the “Sustainability” exhibition. Its main task is to show what internal and external changes have occurred in the Empire State Building over time.
During the excursion you can see with your own eyes the building materials, sculptures, and the latest technologies that were used for reconstruction. For better perception, all processes are presented on digital displays.
Exhibition "Don't be afraid to dream"
Climbing to the 80th floor, you can see an equally interesting exhibition – “Dare to Dream”. It demonstrates all stages of the design and construction of the world's first 100-story skyscraper. The name of the exhibition was not chosen by chance.
Visitors to the exhibition can not only learn the full history of the high-rise building, but also see original sketches, accounting documents, and photographs.
How to get there
There are several ways to get there. This can be either your own car or public transport.
To get to your destination by subway, you must take the Herald Square Station (Lines B, N, R, M, D, Q, F) or Penn Station (Lines 1, 2, and 3). If your choice is a bus, then you should use the M4, M10, M16 and M34 routes. If desired, you can use a taxi service. The time and cost of the trip will depend on the point of departure.
Opening hours
Open daily, seven days a week. Opening hours: from 8:00 am to 2:00 am. The elevator makes its last ascent to the observation deck at 1.15. The time spent in the building and on observation platforms throughout the day is not limited.
How to get
Entrance to the territory is absolutely free for all visitors. But to get to the observation decks, you need to purchase a ticket. You can go upstairs either by elevator or on foot.
Purchasing tickets
To avoid long queues, it is better to purchase a ticket in advance before visiting. This can be done at the box office or on the official website. Entrance to the observation deck on the 86th floor will cost $32. For a comprehensive visit you will have to pay $52. If you were unable to buy a ticket in advance and do not want to stand in line for a long time, you can buy an express pass. The cost is $55 and $75 respectively.
Local residents can get to the observation decks with a special city ticket. Discounts are available for schoolchildren, students and pensioners.
You should know:
- there are no luggage storage facilities, so you will have to carry all your personal belongings with you;
- security does not allow large items and bags to be taken to the upper floors;
- passes must be purchased in advance;
- There is a strong wind blowing on the 86th floor, so it is worth taking a hat with you;
- to see the city through binoculars, you need to stock up on 50-cent coins;
- It is better to visit observation platforms in the first half of the day.
Official website and other contact information
Address: New York, Manhattan, 350 Fifth Avenue
The largest city in the United States has more than five thousand skyscrapers. Only in New York could an office building become a historical landmark. The face of the American metropolis is giant high-rise buildings, and this building does its job well. The Empire State Building is an unshakable symbol of the Big Apple and one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. If you like to travel and study unusual architectural treasures, then this building will find something to surprise you.
Today, the Empire State Building (ESB) is a national monument and a must-see landmark in New York City. Over 130 million people have already visited the observation decks of this building, which is comparable to the population of an average country.
Where is the Empire State Building located?
The famous skyscraper adorns the island of Manhattan, and its 102 floors are visible from several kilometers away. The building is located on Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th streets, 1 km from Times Square. From 1931 to 1972, the Empire State Building held the title of the tallest structure on the planet until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was built. After the 2001 terrorist attack, the skyscraper again ascended to the pedestal, but this time as the tallest building in New York.
This is interesting. At the beginning of the 21st century, many high-rise buildings appeared in the world, and in America itself, that surpassed the Empire State Building - the Freedom Tower in New York (104 floors), the Royal Clock Tower in Mecca (120 floors), the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai ( 128 floors), Hong Kong International Commerce Center (118 floors). The tallest building at the moment is the Burj Khalifa, which has 163 floors. The skyscraper opened in 2010.
In 1986, the Empire State Building was included in the list of national treasures of the country, and in 2007, the building became the first on the list as the best architectural solution. The owner and manager of the building is W&H Properties.
How to get there
You can get to the famous skyscraper by public transport. If you go by subway, you need to get off at the 34th Street/Herald Square station on lines N, Q, R. You can get there by bus - M4, M10, M16, M34. Nearby are Times Square, the Museum of Modern Art of New York, and the Morgan Library and Museum.
History of creation
The site where the Empire State Building is now located was the site of John Thompson's farm until the 18th century. A spring flowed here, flowing into the Golden Perch Pond - a reservoir that is still located in the area from the high-rise building. In the 19th century, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel stood here, hosting New York's social elite.
At the time of its construction, the structure became the first in the world, which had over 100 floors, or rather 102. The height of the Empire State Building in New York is 381 m, and with the spire - 443 m. The skyscraper has antennas from which television and radio broadcasts are carried out. The first experimental television broadcast was made from the top of the skyscraper on December 22, 1931 - six months after completion of construction. Today, the spire of the structure as a transmitter is used by almost all radio and television channels in the city.
Spotlights that illuminate the Empire State Building with colorful lights were recorded back in 1964. The building is painted in honor of holidays and memorials - on Presidents' Day the building glows red, blue and white, on Valentine's Day - red, pink and white, and on St. Patrick's Day - green.
Thousands of tourists come to the building every day. The thing is that there are two observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. On the first platform you can see the whole of New York; it is more difficult to get to the last floor - the platform is smaller and only a small number of visitors are allowed there. The skyscraper itself also houses an attraction that simulates flying over the city on the Hudson.
Construction or who became the architect of the Empire State Building
The building was designed by Gregory Johnson and his architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. It was this company that prepared the drawings in a couple of weeks, taking as a basis their previous project - the Carew Tower in Cincinnati in Ohio. The plan was created from top to bottom. The main contractors were the Starrett brothers and Eken, and the construction was financed by John Raskob.
The preparation of materials began on January 22, 1930, and construction began on St. Patrick's Day - March 17 of the same year. The project involved 3,400 workers, most of whom were immigrants from Europe, as well as the Mohawk Indian foundry workers from the Kanawake reservation near Montreal. The skyscraper has 102 floors, and the total weight of the structure is 365 thousand tons. They spent $41 million on construction.
This is interesting. It is believed that the ESB architects, when they met with investors, heard the question: “How high can you build a building without it falling?” The builders understood this hint well - the skyscraper was to be called the tallest skyscraper in America, and at the same time in the world.
The construction of a skyscraper became part of the competition - the winner received the right to be named tallest building. Wall Street and the Chrysler Building competed for the title. These structures held the title for less than a year, as ESB beat out its rivals on the 410th day of construction.
Thanks to the popular nickname of the state of New York, the skyscraper of the Imperial State or the Empire State Building got its name. Construction built in 13 months, which is very fast for the first half of the 20th century. For comparison, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were built in seven years.
Opening
The official “coming out” of the Empire State Building was solemn: President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington and turned on the lights in the building. Ironically, the lamps on the high-rise spire were lit for the first time on the day of Franklin Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in the November 1932 election.
This time was also marked as the Great Depression. The structure began to be called the Empty House of the Imperial State, since no one rented office space in the ESB. And the whole point was not only the crisis, but also the uncomfortable location - the metal structure occupied almost the entire internal area. The offices were cramped and looked like small closets. Afterwards, the building was reconstructed, creating modern comfortable premises. The legendary skyscraper is the penultimate one hosts Donald Trump and Hideki Yokoi sold for $57.5 million in 2002. The new owner of the skyscraper is the real estate company of Peter Malkin, which manages a couple of historic buildings in New York. Today, the view of the Big Apple from the Empire State Building is the most magnificent because of the opportunity to see a 360-degree panorama.
Architectural style
At the beginning of the 20th century, steel frames began to be used for the construction of multi-story buildings, which had previously been used for the construction of bridges and railway stations. In 1930, the Chrysler Building with a height of 319 m received the palm as the tallest building in the city. The building overtook the Bank of Manhattan, which reached a height of 282 m. However The Empire State Building surpassed everyone in 1931- towering 381 m above New York. The total weight of the structure is 365 thousand tons, and the steel structure has a mass of 59 thousand tons. There are 10 million bricks in the walls.
By increasing the length of the shafts and the speed of passenger elevators, the maintenance of the high-rise was simplified. The Empire State Building has 62 elevators arranged in groups. But according to city zoning laws, high-rise buildings must have narrowed upper floors. To better illuminate the streets, architects began to build skyscrapers that were completely different from the Chicago high-rises at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The new style of multi-storey buildings combined the motifs of art deco and avant-garde geometricism.
One of the interesting places of the ESB is the spire. The structure has 16 floors and also houses a control room. The top of the building was going to be used as a pier for airships. The Spire only accepted two airships, and then all were canceled due to the risk of collision. There is also an antenna mast at the top of the structure, which is decorated with illumination from time to time. Only in the first few years the observation deck on the spire visited by several million people. The annual profit was $1 million, a significant amount during the Great Depression era.
The width of the Empire State Building depended on the requirements for ventilation and natural light. Before the installation of powerful air conditioners, the depth of the room from the window to the back wall could not be more than 8.5 m. The building has 6,500 windows connected by vertical steel strips. The outer covering of the walls is made of gray limestone, which is framed with aluminum sheets. The support platform has five floors and occupies the entire area of its site. There is a three-story lobby in the center, surrounded by two tiers of shops. Due to the fact that there was no place on the construction site where materials could be stored, they were delivered on schedule and immediately lifted upstairs. The construction process was similar to a factory assembly line, which is why it was possible to build a skyscraper in such a short time.
The ESB style is art deco, created at the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925. The style incorporates motifs from various historical forms - from the culture of Ancient Egypt to the development of the Mayans. Art Deco is characterized by the use of new materials - chromed steel, glass and plastic. In their reviews, tourists note that the architecture of the Empire State Building is unusual, since all the most interesting things are located outside.
Empire State Building inside
But what is inside the famous skyscraper, since the building was not built for tourist purposes? ESB is an ordinary office high-rise, which during the years of construction was called the Empty State Building (empty - empty). Companies were reluctant to occupy the premises, but the situation soon changed due to interior remodeling. Just 10-15 years ago, small firms were the main tenants of 100 m2 offices. Today, entire floors are occupied by large companies thanks to colossal reconstructions of the internal halls.
- It is more convenient to climb to the upper floors of the Empire State Building by elevator, but some people try to climb the 1860-step staircase. This could very well be a training session, as once a year the building hosts a competition to see who can climb the fastest. The winner is awarded one million dollars. The office space can accommodate 15 thousand people, and the elevator carries 10 thousand passengers in one hour;
- Empire State is not just an office, but entertainment for tourists. In the lobby, which is 30 meters long and three floors high, hangs a giant panel depicting the eight wonders of the world. Naturally, one of them is the Empire State Building itself. There is a Guinness World Records room where information about unusual achievements and record holders is stored;
- On July 28, 1945, a plane crashed into a building. It was a B-25 bomber that flew between the 79th and 80th floors. The disaster claimed the lives of 11 people;
every year the skyscraper is visited by more than 35 thousand tourists, and more than 50 thousand people work in the building itself.
Opening hours
The Empire State Building is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. The last rise is at 1.15 am. On the 86th floor there is an observatory, from where you can see amazing city panoramas from a height of 320 m. On average, they spend about an hour at the observation decks, but the visiting time is not limited in any way.
Ticket prices
Since the observatory opened in 1931, the building has been visited by more than 110 million people. Accordingly, there are long queues before entering. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance to avoid the line of tourists. There is a standard version of the city pass, which allows you to visit the observation platform on the 86th floor and an audio guide. The cost of entry to the site on the 86th floor is $32, and if express without queues - $55. You can also visit the 102nd floor for $52 and $75 without waiting.
What to see nearby
If visiting the famous skyscraper is not enough, then you can check out the attractions nearby. The list below will help you have a good time:
- . The city on the Hudson is home to one of the most famous and largest parks in the world. Central Park is located in Manhattan on an area of 3.4 km2. 25 million people come here every year. There are hotels opposite the park, so it’s convenient to combine a walk and not be interrupted from your planned activities;
- . Sports complex, which is located on Eighth Avenue. This is a multifunctional facility that is used more than 300 days a year for various events. It hosts New York Knicks basketball games and New York Rangers hockey tournaments, concerts and performances. During hockey matches the hall seats 18,200 people, and during concerts - 2,000 visitors;
- . The pride of America, which rises above New York on Liberty Island near Manhattan. For more than 100 years, the symbol of democracy has been welcoming and seeing off hundreds of ships in the Big Apple harbor. It is an interesting attraction for tourists and a beacon of freedom for Americans;
- . One of the oldest hanging structures in the country, which was the longest in the world until 1903. Steel slings were used for the first time to build the Brooklyn Bridge. The main span over the East River is 487 m long and the total length is almost 2 km.
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It’s not worth climbing higher, to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building - the observatory located on it does not provide a proper all-round view, and the entrance ticket is much more expensive. True, on the 102nd floor of the building and its roof you can still see unique mooring masts for airships, although the skyscraper itself has never received a single aircraft. When visiting the Empire State Building, you do not need to use the services of guides, because it is absolutely pointless to comment on the beauty of the view from a bird's eye view. In addition, all the attractions are carefully marked on a special diagram located on the observation deck. It is best to go up to the Empire State Building on a weekday at about eight in the morning - at this time the influx of tourists is much lower, and you will not have to stand at the ticket office for hours.
If your physical fitness allows you and you are confident in your abilities, then you can try to take part in the annual race up the stairs to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, covering more than one and a half thousand steps along the way.
Fun facts about the Empire State Building
In the first years of its operation, the Empire State Building was considered the eighth wonder of the world. And even though today there are more ingenious structures, but special seven panels located in the building’s lobby depict the seven wonders of the world. The eighth panel, majestically completing the cycle, depicts the Empire State Building.
Empire State Building
Prices on the page are for October 2018.
The building was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. The creators of the skyscraper designed it in the Art Deco style. Unlike most modern skyscrapers, the facade of the tower is made in a classical style. The only decorative element of the gray stone facade is vertical strips of stainless steel. The hall inside is 30 meters long and three floors high. It is decorated with panels depicting the seven wonders of the world, and an eighth is added to them - the Empire State Building itself.
The skyscraper was built in a record 410 days, on average 4.5 floors were built per week, and sometimes in 10 days the new building grew by 14 floors. 5,662 cubic meters of limestone and granite were used for the construction of the external walls. In total, the builders used 60 thousand tons of steel structures, 10 million bricks and 700 km of cable. The building has 6,500 windows. Its design is such that the main load is borne by the steel frame, not the walls. It transfers this load directly to the powerful “two-story” foundation. Thanks to the innovation, the weight of the building was significantly reduced and amounted to 365 thousand tons.
By the time construction was completed, the height of the building was 381 m (after the television tower was erected on the roof of the Empire State Building in 1952, its height reached 443 m).
On May 1, 1931, the official opening of the skyscraper took place. The Empire State Building was opened by the then president of the country, Herbert Hoover: with the flick of a switch from Washington, he lit the lights of the tallest man-made structure in the world at that time.
The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for more than 40 years. The skyscraper lost this title only after the construction of the “twin” towers of the World Trade Center in 1972. The tragic death of the “twin” towers during the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, returned the Empire State Building to the status of the tallest building in New York, although the skyscraper could no longer lay claim to world leadership.
The Empire State Building occupies about one hectare of land on the island of Manhattan, at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 34th Street. The building houses the offices of 640 companies employing about 50 thousand people.
The skyscraper is a landmark of Manhattan and New York. Thousands of tourists visit the famous skyscraper every day. In one minute, using a high-speed elevator, they can go up to the observation deck located on the 86th floor and see the panorama of New York: its streets, squares, parks, bridges and even ships at sea. On the 102nd floor there is a glass-enclosed circular observatory. From a height of 381 m, a panorama of five states opens up.
A landmark of New York is considered not only the skyscraper itself, but also its unique lighting system. The tradition of lighting up the Empire State Building in different colors on various holidays has existed for a long time. So, on US Independence Day, the skyscraper turns blue-red-white, and on St. Patrick's Day - green, on Columbus Day - green-white-red. To do this, plastic disks are changed on 200 floodlights illuminating the 30 upper floors.
Even before a television and radio tower was placed on the roof of the skyscraper, it was planned that the upper part of the Empire State Building would serve not only for the festive lighting of the city. The architects designed the roof structure in such a way that it would serve as a pier for passenger airships, which in the 30s. of the last century were a fashionable vehicle and successfully competed with passenger aircraft that were not yet very reliable. The 102nd floor was a berthing platform with a gangway for boarding the airship. A special elevator running between the 86th and 102nd floors could be used to transport passengers whose check-in had to be done on the 86th floor. In reality, not a single airship has ever docked on top of the Empire State Building. The idea of an air terminal turned out to be unsafe - strong and unstable air currents at the top of the 381-meter building made docking very difficult. And soon airships basically ceased to be used as a means of transport.
On the second floor of the building there is an attraction, opened in 1994 for tourists. The attraction is called New York Skyride and is a simulator of air travel over the city. The duration of the attraction is 25 minutes. From 1994 to 2001, an older version of the attraction operated, featuring actor James Doohan, Scotty from Star Trek, as an airplane pilot, humorously trying to maintain control of the plane during a storm. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, this attraction was closed. In the new version, the plot remained the same, but the World Trade Center towers were removed from the scenery, and actor Kevin Bacon became the pilot instead of Doohan. The new version pursued, first of all, educational and informational purposes rather than entertainment. It also included patriotic elements.
In terms of the number of films the Empire State Building has been featured in, the building rivals top movie stars. It all started with King Kong, filmed in 1933, where the final battle of a huge gorilla with American Air Force fighters took place on the roof of this skyscraper. Now the list of films in which the Empire State Building appears, given on the official website of the skyscraper, includes 91 films.
Among other things, the Empire State Building is also the site of some of the most unusual competitions. Every year in early February, skyscraper staircase running competitions are held here. Athletes climb 1,576 steps of the building - from the 1st to the 86th floor - in a few minutes. In 2003, Paul Craik set a record that has not yet been broken - 9 minutes 33 seconds.
Over its almost 80-year history, the Empire State Building has experienced a significant number of different incidents. On July 28, 1945, a USAF B-25 Mitchell bomber, lost in dense fog, crashed into the building between the 79th and 80th floors. One of the engines pierced the skyscraper and fell onto the roof of a neighboring building, the other fell into the elevator shaft. The fire that resulted from the collision was extinguished within 40 minutes. 14 people died in the incident. Elevator Betty Lou Oliver survived a fall from 75 floors in an elevator, an achievement included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
There were fires after that too. So, in August 1988, a fire started on the 86th floor, and the fire reached the very top of the skyscraper. Fortunately, there were no casualties then. In 1990, there was another fire that claimed the lives of 38 people.
There were also incidents of a different kind. In February 1997, 69-year-old Palestinian Ali Hassan Abu Kamal climbed to the observation deck, pulled out a pistol and opened fire on tourists. He killed one person, wounded six, and then shot himself. When the site reopened two days later, visitors were already being probed with magnetometers.
Since its construction, the Empire State Building has attracted people who want to commit suicide. Over the entire period of operation of the building, more than 30 suicides were committed here. The first suicide occurred immediately after construction was completed by a recently laid off worker. As a result, in 1947, a fence had to be erected around the observation site, since in just three weeks there were five suicide attempts there. At the same time, funny things happened: in 1979, Miss Elvita Adams decided to take her own life and jumped from the 86th floor. But a strong wind threw her to the 85th floor, and she escaped with only a broken hip.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
The Empire State Building is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Its authors, the architectural agency Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, were the first in history to decide to create a building project with more than a hundred floors. Opened in Mahattan in 1931, built in less than a year and a half, it was rightly considered the “eighth wonder of the world,” which was reflected in the painting of its hall. But in the 70s, the construction of the World Trade Center deprived it of the palm among the tallest buildings, and the growth in the number of skyscrapers not only in the USA, but also in other countries made the aura of uniqueness fade.
As a result, the new stage of development that began in the life of the Empire State Building at the end of the 20th century identified it as a participant in the race, no longer technological or construction, but tourist. The owners of the skyscraper, leaving it a huge office building that employs over 20 thousand people, also focus on its attractiveness for tourists. In particular, the unique gold painting of the ceiling in the lobby in the spirit of the 30s has been restored, both observation platforms (86th and 102nd floors) have been equipped so that they have a 360° view, a visitor center has been opened with a separate entrance from 34th Street, and is open. a museum that inscribes the history of the Empire State Building into the history of New York. These and other changes mean that a visit to the Empire State Building today is not only about looking at the Big Apple from a height of 373 meters, it is also about touching the living history of one of the most famous metropolises in the world, developing before your eyes.
Height of the Empire State Building in New York
There is anecdotal evidence that investors in the Empire State Building project did not negotiate the number of floors with the architect, asking him to design the building as tall as possible. Architect William Lamb started with 50 floors, but ended up with 103 floors.
The height of the Empire State Building from base to roof is 381 meters, taking into account the antenna installed on the roof - 443.2 meters. As of 2020, this is the second largest building in New York, the third in the USA, and the 51st in the world.
From the moment it was put into operation until 1970, this skyscraper in Manhattan remained unsurpassed in height not only in the States, but throughout the entire planet. A competitor appeared a dozen blocks to the south - in December 1970, the north tower of the World Trade Center was completed. Taking into account the antenna, the new building reached a record height of 530 meters.
In subsequent years, skyscrapers from other countries moved the Empire State Building to more distant positions on world lists. So by the time the Twin Towers were destroyed in 2001, he had returned to the leader position only in the New York rankings. But in 2012, the building was in second place, since the Freedom Tower, 417 meters high (on the roof), was erected on the site of the World Trade Center.
Construction of the Empire State Building
The developers of the Empire State Building project created it in just 2 weeks. The efficiency is explained by the fact that they used developments from other orders. On the site of the future skyscraper stood one of the hotels of the Astoria chain; it was to be demolished. Work began in 1929. John Raskob, one of the businessmen who financed the construction of the skyscraper, hoped to attract investment and begin construction of a new building that same year, but in October the New York Stock Exchange collapsed, and a crisis began.
Neither Raskob nor another curator of the project, Alfred Smith, lost money, but people who planned to invest in the project went bankrupt. Despite the loss of a source of funds, and the threat of low demand for offices in the future skyscraper due to the obvious crisis, Raskob and Smith chose to take out a loan rather than abandon the project altogether.
Construction of the Empire State Building began on January 22, 1930, at the height of the Great Depression.
In the winter months, the demolition of the hotel was completed, and at the same time a hole was being dug for a giant foundation. The construction of the first load-bearing structures began on March 17. The pace of construction from the first stage was impressive. The first 14 floors were erected in 10 days, and subsequently they built approximately 4 floors per week.
By November, 75 floors had been built, with steel structures up to the 95th floor. From this time on, simultaneous interior finishing of the finished levels began. The installation of 66 elevators, each with a lifting speed of 366 m/min, also began. About 3,500 workers worked on the construction of the building. The Empire State Building was commissioned on May 1, 1931, just 405 days after construction began.
Skyscraper observation decks
The building has 2 observation decks: on the 86th and 102nd floors. To get to them, you need to purchase a ticket. It is separate for each site. Tourists can access the Empire State Building through the Visitor's Center, which has an entrance on 34th Street. Tickets are sold in vending machines with a simple interface. If difficulties arise, you can contact one of the employees present in the room for help.
The machines have partially solved the problem of queuing at the ticket counters, but be prepared to spend some time waiting at the exit to the site. To avoid this, tourists visiting the Empire State Building are advised to arrive when the site opens at 8:00 or after 22:00. There are not many people at this time. In addition, at the beginning of the day you can watch the city wake up, and in the late evening enjoy the ocean of lights of the Big Apple.
The observation deck of the 86th floor is located at an altitude of approximately 340 meters, the 102nd floor - at a level of 371 meters. Both have a full all-round view, and are decorated on the ceiling and floor with projections of nearby buildings, which can be seen if you approach the panoramic glazing. It offers views of both the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. To better understand the details of the view that opens, you should download the free Observatory Experience application from the official website of the skyscraper. Also at the sites you will find powerful binoculars that will allow you to see the details of the panorama.
What else to see
The Empire State Building is famous not only for its observation decks, but also for its architecture, restored lobby interiors, a small museum where you can take a photo in King Kong's huge paw, and also for its unique lighting. Getting to know these details will make your experience of visiting the skyscraper brighter.
Lobby
Since 2009, visitors to the Empire State Building lobby can see the same ceiling that appeared above the heads of the first visitors to the skyscraper in 1931. The large fresco, created using aluminum and gold, was covered with a false ceiling in the mid-20th century and decided to be restored only fifty years later.
The Art Deco mural depicts a sky full of planets and stars, which at the same time represent an assembly line of gears. This is how designers of the last century expressed respect for the era of discoveries and technical progress. Also noteworthy is the wall behind the visitor registration desk in the lobby, which depicts the skyscraper itself and the rays emanating from its top.
It took a team of restorers 18 months to completely restore the frescoes, as well as the authentic lamps in the spirit of the 1930s, despite the fact that the entire building was built in only 13 months.
Museum and gift shop
On the 2nd floor there is a museum that tells not only about the history of the skyscraper and New York, but also about the place of the Empire State Building in popular culture. Here you can see photos of Manhattan streets in the 1920s, find out what ancient Otis elevators were like and how they worked, and also get acquainted with films, cartoons, comics, videos and other pop culture products that show the Empire State Building.
Among these films is the film “King Kong”, shot in 1933, as well as its remake, released in the “zero”. The museum even has a corner that consists of an image of King Kong looking through a window and models of his fingers breaking through the wall. Brave souls can take a photo with them!
Next to the museum there is a gift shop where you can buy magnets, dishes and other items depicting the Empire State Building. They also sell clothes with images of a skyscraper.
Ladder
Another remarkable object is the staircase, consisting of 1860 steps. Every year on February 5th, a speed climbing competition is held there. At the same time, the distance is limited to 1576 steps - participants finish on the 86th floor. New York firefighters and rescue workers also train on the stairs of the Empire State Building. Tourists can only access the stairs on competition days while participating in the race. The rest of the time it is closed to visitors; only high-speed elevators are used for ascent.
Backlight
The skyscraper's exterior lighting system also makes it one of the most remarkable buildings in New York. Spotlights are located on the upper tiers. They have been operating every day since 1964, with each day of the week corresponding to a different color.
On holidays and in honor of memorable dates, a unique range of shades is chosen. For example, on the days of games of New York teams, the building takes on the color of their official colors, on the day of the celebration of the anniversary of Elizabeth II. In 2002, it became purple and gold (the official colors of the Windsor family), and when gay pride parades are held, the facade is painted in all the colors of the rainbow. The official website of the skyscraper even has a schedule of lighting gammas.
How to get to the Empire State Building in New York
If you're staying at a hotel in Manhattan or are close to a skyscraper, check out the walking map located on the building's website. If you plan to get to the Empire State Building by public transport, then use the subway or bus.
Metro. The 34 Street - Herald Square station is a 5-minute walk from the building. It is served by trains B, D, F and M (Sixth Avenue Line), N, Q, R, W (Broadway Line).
Bus. Opposite the skyscraper on West 34th Street is the W 34 St & 5 Av bus stop. It is reached by routes such as M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, QM10, QM12, QM15, QM16, QM17, QM18, QM24.
To order a taxi ride, use the mobile applications Uber, Via, Gett, Arro, Waave or others.
Panoramic view of Manhattan from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building:
What is the view from the Empire State Building: video