The Empire State Building: An Enduring Icon

Advertising

Built in 1930-1931 by the architectural firm, Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, this 102-story building, which takes its name from the moniker of New York State, is a symbol of many things for many people. Representing the apex of Art Deco technology, it was referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world.” Its completion was rushed in order to take the title of “the world’s tallest building” away from the Chrysler Building. It opened officially to the public on May 1, 1931, when President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., turning on the building’s many lights.

Because so much of the building’s available office space went unrented until the 1940s, it earned the nickname “Empty State Building” in its early years. The building attracted the powers that be in Hollywood who used its roof for the demise of its most famous gorilla in the 1933 horror classic, “King Kong”. It has since been used as a backdrop for other movies and television shows, including an episode of “I Love Lucy” about a phony Martian invasion.

The distinctive art deco spire was originally designed to be a mooring mast and depot for zeppelins. Even though the T-shaped moorings are still in place, the idea was soon abandoned because the powerful updrafts caused by the size of the building itself made that an impractical and dangerous idea.

Located on 5th Avenue and 34th Street in the heart of bustling Manhattan, the Empire State Building is probably the most popular picture sold of any postcard depicting “The Big Apple.” Towering more than a 1/4 mile into the air, the building is a symbol of man’s untamed imagination and desire to reach and scrape against the sky. The lobby of the building is three stories high.

Built within a little more than a year of construction, it had 64 elevators (now there are 73). Its 381 meters wouldn’t be topped until 1972 with the creation of the World Trade Centers Towers.

Don’t miss a visit to this incredible building the next time you find yourself in New York.