The Empire State Building is the tallest and most
famous skyscraper in New York. More than 120 million visitors, including
the rock group Kiss and Queen Elizabeth II, have gazed down on the city
from the Observatory since it opened in 1931. Planned in the prosperous
1920s by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, this Art
Deco classic was completed during the Depression and was largely vacant
for several years, giving rise to the nickname “Empty State Building.”
It has been featured in countless movies; when King Kong returned to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic film in 1983, fans the
world over cheered the triumphant ascent by a huge inflatable ape.
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The Empire State
Building was designed by William F. Lamb following a brief to “make it
big.” It took only 410 days to build this 102-story, 365,000-ton
limestone and granite skyscraper, with an average of four and a half
stories added every week. However, in one outstanding ten-day period,
the 3,500-strong construction team completed no fewer than ten stories.
Due to the building’s relatively shallow foundations, 60,000 tons of
steel beams were used to support the tower.
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View of the Empire State Building
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There are a number of restaurants and shops on the ground level.
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Visit at the end of the day to watch the city lights go on.
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Top 10 FeaturesThe Building A
mooring mast for air-ships, now the base of a TV tower, was built to
ensure the 102-story, 1,454-ft (443-m), building would be taller than
the Chrysler Building.
Lobby Mural The
main lobby houses a 36-ft (11-m) Art Deco relief that showcases the
Empire State Building image in steel, aluminium and gold leaf with
dramatic impact.
102nd Floor Observatory Visibility
on a clear day from the 102nd floor deck is up to 80 miles (130 km).
Tickets are sold only upon arrival at the Visitors’ Center on the second
floor ($15 extra). 86th Floor Observatory Breathtaking
views from the 86th floor’s glass-enclosed pavilion 1,050 ft (320 m)
above the city attract more than 3.5 million visitors each year.
Spire The
spire is lit to honor holidays, seasons, and the many ethnic groups of
New York: red, white, and blue for national holidays; green for St.
Patrick’s Day; blue and white for Chanukah.
Elevators Visitors
can ride to the 86th floor in 45 seconds – 1,400 ft (427 m) per minute –
in one of 73 Art Deco elevators. The last elevator leaves at 1:35am. Fifth Avenue Gallery Windows Five
display windows in the lofty marble-clad Fifth Avenue lobby exhibit art
and memorabilia from New York City’s many museums, galleries, and
artists. The exhibits are changed on a regular basis. Valentine’s Day Weddings
have been an Empire State Building tradition since 1994. Every year, 14
lucky, romantic couples are specially selected to get married on the
only day that the ceremony is conducted here. New York Skyride A
virtual reality, big-screen simulation of a helicopter ride takes
viewers over, under, and through some of the city’s best-known
landmarks. Empire State Run-up Each
February, following a tradition dating to 1978, 150 runners race up the
1,576 steps from the lobby to the 86th floor. The record is 9 minutes,
33 seconds.
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