EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Description

Essentials about the Empire State Building in brief

Together with the One World Trade Center and the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building is the most famous skyscraper in Manhattan. With a structural height of 381 meters (it is 443 meters to the top of the antenna), the building was not only the tallest building in New York City but also in the entire world for over 40 years from its completion in 1931. After the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center during the attacks of September 11, 2001, until the topping-out ceremony of its successor, One World Trade Center, in 2013, the Empire State Building was once again the tallest structure in the city. Due to its two viewing platforms at a height of over 300 meters, from which one can enjoy a magnificent view of Manhattan and all of New York City, the Empire City Building is one of the tourist highlights and the most popular sights of the city.

The location and name of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is located on the southern edge of Midtown Manhattan on Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets. The name of the skyscraper is derived from the nickname “The Empire State” of the US state of New York. Since 1986, the Empire State Building has been a National Monument of the United States due to its architectural significance.

The architecture of the Empire State Building

Not only because of its height, but above all because of its striking form and the beauty of its clear design, the Empire State Building is still considered the “epitome of the skyscraper” today. Like the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building belongs to the Art Deco architectural style. Its shape was influenced by the 1916 building code that required all skyscrapers in New York City to have a building’s floor plan that tapered toward the top. No straight facade was allowed to exceed 37.5 meters in height. This was to ensure that any high-rise building did not cast too large a shadow on its neighbors, making these buildings appear unattractive to potential tenants.

Up to the 86th floor, the skyscraper consists of a uniform 320-meter-high main block that keeps tapering upward from street level with slight setbacks. This also gives the building its characteristic shape. Above this follows a 16-story slender tower, the floors of which are mainly used to operate broadcasting equipment. Above the 102nd floor finally follows the roof of the Empire State Building, which is 381 meters high. The building’s 62-meter-high antenna is located there.

The history of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was erected in a record-breaking 18 months (perhaps Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie or Berlin’s airport would have benefited from the construction management of the time). The building was officially opened on May 1, 1931. In the late 1920s, there was a real competition between several buildings or their architects for the title of the world’s tallest building. In November 1929, the Chrysler Building briefly decided the title race in its favor by adding a completely unexpected spire to the skyscraper, raising its height to 319 meters.

But as early as December 1929, the architects of the Empire State Building countered and announced a final height of 381 meters. The new record height resulted from another specially designed 61-meter tower that was to sit atop the 320-meter main block. At this new height, the builders of the Chrysler Building no longer had a chance to design their skyscraper to surpass the Empire State Building.

The observation decks of the Empire State Building

The two observation decks of the Empire State Building are among the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. And quite rightly so, because from here you have an incredibly great panoramic view over the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the sea of houses of the entire city. On clear days, a distant view of over 80 kilometers is possible.

The first observation deck is located on the 86th floor at a height of 320 meters. It’s hard to believe that the platform was originally intended for handling airships that were to be anchored at the top of the tower. At the time of the Empire State Building’s construction, there was a lot of hype about the new flying machines. However, the strong updrafts knocked out the bold plans, as there was definitely no thought of safely docking airships.

The second observation deck is located even higher up, on the 102nd floor, the top floor of the Empire State Building. Whether a visit to the upper platform is worthwhile, everyone must judge for himself. It is important to know that it is not an open terrace as on the 86th floor, but an enclosed, glassed-in room. The advantage of the additional height is therefore bought with the disadvantage that the photos are “mirrored” (and the tickets also cost extra).

The lighting of the Empire State Building

Those who only want to look at the Empire State Building from the outside can still witness a special spectacle, namely the nightly illumination of the skyscraper. Since 1964, the metal mast and the two highest parts of the building, which are offset inward, have been illuminated in different colors after dark until 2 a.m. on special occasions. For example, the building shines in the national colors red-white-blue on American holidays, red-green at Christmastime, orange on Halloween and pink on Christopher Street Day. By the way, since 2018 there is a new illumination tradition, namely the Empire State Building is illuminated with a new animation every full hour from sunset on. A look at the night sky of Manhattan at the Empire State Building is always worthwhile.