Introduction
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Completed in 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression, it held the title of the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years — from its completion until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was topped out in 1970. Standing 443 meters tall to its roof (and 443 meters to the tip of its antenna), it remains one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere.
More than a feat of engineering, the Empire State Building is a cultural icon that has appeared in over 250 films, from King Kong (1933) to Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Its Art Deco design, dramatic tower-top lighting, and observation decks offering 360-degree views of New York have made it the most visited building in the city, attracting over 2.5 million visitors to its observation decks annually.
Architecture & Design
- Architect: Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
- Style: Art Deco
- Height: 443 m (to roof); 443 m (to antenna tip)
- Floors: 102
The Empire State Building's design was driven by the 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution, which required setbacks at certain heights to allow light and air to reach the streets below. The result is the building's distinctive stepped profile, which narrows as it rises from its five-story base through a series of setbacks to the slender tower that carries the observation decks and the antenna mast.
The exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and granite with aluminum and chrome-nickel steel trim. The lobby, restored to its original 1930s splendor, features an Art Deco ceiling mural depicting the building surrounded by the heavens and the mechanical age. The building's tower is illuminated nightly in colors that change to recognize holidays, events, and causes — a tradition that has become one of the most beloved features of the New York skyline.
Location & Setting
- Location: 350 Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York
- Neighborhood: Between 33rd and 34th Streets
- Nearby: Penn Station, Herald Square, Bryant Park
The Empire State Building occupies the full block between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue on 33rd and 34th Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Its central location means it is visible from countless vantage points throughout the city and has become the primary reference point for orienting oneself in Manhattan. The building stands on the former site of the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which was demolished to make way for the skyscraper.
The surrounding area is one of the busiest commercial districts in the world, with Macy's Herald Square, Penn Station, and Madison Square Garden all within a few blocks. The building's position in the middle of Manhattan means that its observation decks offer unobstructed views in all directions — north to Central Park, south to the Financial District and Statue of Liberty, east to the East River and Brooklyn, and west to the Hudson River and New Jersey.
History & Construction
- Construction Start: March 17, 1930
- Completed: April 11, 1931 (410 days)
- Cost: $41 million ($700 million in today's dollars)
- Workers: 3,400 at peak construction
The Empire State Building was constructed in just 410 days — an astonishingly rapid timeline that has never been equaled for a building of comparable size. At the peak of construction, approximately 3,400 workers were on site daily, and the building rose at a rate of roughly four and a half stories per week. The speed of construction was a source of national pride during the Depression, and the project employed thousands of workers at a time when unemployment approached 25 percent.
The building was completed under budget at $41 million (equivalent to approximately $700 million today) thanks partly to deflated Depression-era labor and material costs. However, it struggled commercially for years — in its early decades, much of the office space remained vacant, earning it the nickname "Empty State Building." The observation decks generated more revenue than the office tenants during the first several years of operation.
Cultural Significance
- Films: Featured in over 250 movies
- Famous Scene: King Kong climbing the building (1933)
- Annual Event: Empire State Building Run-Up (since 1978)
The Empire State Building entered popular culture almost immediately upon completion. The 1933 film King Kong, in which the giant ape climbs the building while battling biplanes, cemented its status as the ultimate symbol of New York City. Since then, it has appeared in An Affair to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle, Independence Day, and hundreds of other films, television shows, and photographs.
The building's tower lighting, controlled by a sophisticated LED system installed in 2012 that can produce 16 million color combinations, has become a cultural communication tool. The building glows red, white, and blue on Independence Day, green for St. Patrick's Day, and is darkened for Earth Hour. The annual Empire State Building Run-Up, held since 1978, challenges runners to race up the 1,576 steps from the lobby to the 86th-floor observation deck.
Visitor Experience
- 86th Floor Deck: Open-air observation deck, 320 meters up
- 102nd Floor Deck: Enclosed top-floor observatory
- Hours: Open daily 10 AM–midnight
The 86th-floor observation deck is the Empire State Building's most popular attraction, offering an open-air terrace that wraps around the entire building with 360-degree views of New York City. On a clear day, visibility extends to 80 miles, taking in six states. The deck is the setting of countless marriage proposals — the building estimates that an average of one proposal occurs there every day.
A recent renovation by the firm of architects Bentel & Bentel has transformed the visitor experience with immersive exhibits on the building's history and construction, located on the 2nd and 80th floors. The 102nd-floor observatory, reached by a separate elevator, offers floor-to-ceiling windows for the highest views. Evening visits are particularly popular for the opportunity to see the city's lights stretching to the horizon.
Key Facts
- The Empire State Building was completed in just 410 days in 1931
- It was the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years (1931–1970)
- The building has appeared in over 250 films since its completion
- Its LED lighting system can produce 16 million color combinations
- Over 2.5 million people visit the observation decks annually
Fun Facts
- In 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor in fog, killing 14 people — the building was open for business two days later
- The building has its own zip code: 10118
- An elevator operator named Betty Lou Oliver survived a 75-story plunge in 1945 when her elevator cables were severed by the plane crash — the longest survived elevator fall in history
- The building sways about 2.5 centimeters in high winds
Final Thoughts
The Empire State Building is the skyscraper that defined the idea of a skyscraper — the building that taught the world what reaching for the sky really means. Built in record time during the worst economic crisis in American history, it stands as a monument to ambition, craftsmanship, and the irrepressible spirit of New York City. Nine decades after its completion, it remains the building that New Yorkers and visitors alike look for first.
