The Empire State Building represents New York’s indomitable spirit and architectural ingenuity, and so, has long since become a must-visit site on any tourist’s to-do list. So, finding information about the Empire State Building is a topic of great importance.
A simple description of the Empire State Building as one of the most famous sites in New York places it in Midtown Manhattan, completed in 1931 as the tallest building in the world, a title it kept close to its heart for nearly four decades. Still, it stands tall and proud, showcasing its classic Art Deco style and the skills and capabilities of its architects, William F. Lamb and Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.
Inside the floors of the Empire State Building, visitors discover more than the observatories previously mentioned. The first thing they see as they step through the entrance is the classic Art Deco style interior that has maintained the format since the day it was created, offering a classic yet interesting and impactful image, where starbursts gild the halls and mesh with metallic touches to shimmer as the light falls on the elevators, the walls, and the ceiling.
But beyond the entrance, each floor offers a sight worth waiting for, with the 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors of the Empire State Building being the most visited, with the 86th as the classic stop for every visitor, the 102nd as a little more exclusive and requiring a different ticket, and the 80th as a pit stop for both, where interactive displays and incredible exhibits allow guests to learn more about the building, about New York, and, indeed, about America. You’ll also find other amenities and entertainment options to make your visit worth it!
The height of the Empire State Building rises to a majestic 1,454 (443 meters) feet from the tip of the spire to the base of the foundations. In comparison, the roof height rests at 1,250 feet (381 meters), with a total of 103 floors making up the building, where the 102nd floor is perhaps the most prominent and sought-after of its three observatory floors (including 80th and 86th, though only the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories have been such from the inset of the building in the 30s). Indeed, the top of the Empire State Building offers some of the best and most unparalleled views of the New York City skyline and even beyond that.
The construction of the Empire State Building was something that, just as the height of the Empire State Building, wowed people worldwide and continues to do so today. This is because, despite the economic and social challenges of the ongoing Great Depression, the building’s construction proceeded rapidly, and workers completed roughly four and a half floors per week, which is still a statement of awe today. In just under a year (for the planning and construction began in 1929), this monument was complete and ready to be displayed as the new face of New York, not to mention the fact that its steel frame was considered to be a real marvel to people all over the world.
Therefore, the Empire State Building stands today as a testament to human achievement and innovation, with millions of visitors traveling to the location each year so they can experience the story of a lifetime via the building’s history but also to enjoy the panoramic views of other famous sites in New York, such as Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square.
To answer the question of who designed the Empire State Building, the topic refers to the 1930 architects William F. Lamb and his firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, which we’ve previously mentioned but deserves due repetition for their masterpiece. They drew inspiration from sleek lines, geometric shapes, and decorative motifs, all of which came together to present the iconic silhouette on the New York City skyline.
Even beyond the designers, it is the builders of the Empire State Building who deserve recognition for bringing a vision of impossibility within those times to lime, including but not limited to the construction manager John W. Bowser, the chief engineer Homer G. Balcom, and, of course, the nameless many who built it themselves.
The Empire State Building is popular, but certain aspects make it stand apart from the countless other landmarks and buildings that New York hosts. One of these aspects is the tower lights that have been a part of the New York skyline since 1979 and LED-powered since 2012. Every day, there’s a light show to highlight the day’s achievements and bring some excitement to people’s lives, with the lights being quite special on holidays and for certain organizations.
As for other facts and figures about what is in the Empire State Building, you must know that there are 1,860 steps from the ground floor up, more than 70 Otis elevators to ferry people up, and it is now the 43rd tallest tower in the world where it was once number one.
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