Empire State Building, New York, United States

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. The building has a roof height of 380 m and stands a total of 443.2 m tall, including its antenna. The Empire State Building stood as the world's tallest building until the construction of the World Trade Center in 1970; following the latter's collapse in 2001, the Empire State Building was again the city's tallest skyscraper until 2012. As of 2020, the building is the seventh-tallest building in New York City, the ninth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, the 49th-tallest in the world, and the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the Americas.

The site of the Empire State Building, in Midtown South on the west side of Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets, was developed in 1893 as the Waldorf–Astoria Hotel. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of the Great Depression and World War II, its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s.

The building's Art Deco architecture, height, and observation decks have made it a popular attraction. Around four million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an American cultural icon: it has been featured in more than 250 TV shows and movies since the film King Kong was released in 1933. The building's size has become the global standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It was ranked first on the American Institute of Architects' List of America's Favorite Architecture in 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1980.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Catherine Oakes (2 years ago)
Great views of the city! We went right before sunset and the light was amazing for pictures. The museum was really interesting as they had the history of the construction but also fun things like being able to experience looking up and down an "elevator shaft". Really gives you the understanding of just how tall the building is. If you are a movie buff, they also have a whole section of the museum for films that were filmed there and actors who have visited.

Ramy Saboungui (2 years ago)
Great attraction from entrance to exist with a great journey full of learning and exciting activations. My personal favorite is the King Kong one, it will stun you with how far we've gotten in the entertainment world and art! The view from the observatory is absolutely stunning and you won't want to leave. You should go on a bright day with minor clouds to enjoy the beauty of the concrete jungle. Being on top of one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan, you will see almost everything there is to see just don't look down. There are 2 floors of the observatory, one where you can step outside and a higher indoor only glass window floor.

Andres Ayala (2 years ago)
Do me a favor. Stand right in front of the Empire State, and look up. You can close that mouth now!! This place is INCREDIBLE! When we entered, absolute immediate elegance and beauty. Then ever floor and step of the way was just better. That one place where they simulate the people in the old times building? Absolutely breathtaking. Then when you go up the elevator, you see another simulation of the old time constructors. When you get to the watch area, try not to cry, try not to open your mouth, try not to squeal, try not to be darn happy. Impossible right? I agree. It was just the happiest moment of my life. Seeing NYC through the eyes of the Empire State Building was just an honor. Now, one warning. I have acrophobia. If you have acrophobia, I still recommend you to come, but stay inside when it’s time to go to the watch area and also, keep your distance from windows. I got too close and I almost passed out. But it’s alright if you make sure nothing triggers your fears. Actually, more than alright. Beautiful. This is the heart and soul of New York, let me tell you. I would recommend you to come, 110%.

Levi Spires (2 years ago)
I know... you're probably like, "is it worth it?" Yes it is! The whole experience is first-class. Similar to Disney, the Empire State Building's experience starts the moment you get into the line. They have tons of micro-experiences while you wait to get to the top. And they're all extremely well done. My favorite was walking through the construction site. With the full-wall videos, it really feels like you're in the 1920's high above NYC. Of course, the best part is the top floor. NYC looks amazing from 88 floors high. It's cold, but totally worth it. The pics I have will last me the rest of my life.

Ankit Sharma (2 years ago)
Whether you are a tourist or a New Yorker you must see this iconic site! The view is amazing! Along the way the little performance is brilliantly curated together. The history of this place and how it was built is a miracle in itself! The staff was welcoming and inviting. Now is a great time for the locals. There are very few visitors yet! I highly recommend this place without reservation

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright larrywkoester

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Empire State Building

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Hidden Gems of Finnish Archipelago

House of the Dragon Filming Locations

Historic Landmarks of Sicily

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Looks like you are a history fan!