The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, was the world's tallest building until 1970. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its Art Deco architecture and observation decks. The building has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, making it a global cultural icon.
The Empire State Building gets its name from a nickname for New York state, with one of the earliest documented sources being a letter by George Washington in 1785 praising New York's strength during the American Revolution and calling it 'the Seat of the Empire.'
John J. Raskob and Al Smith announced plans for the construction of the Empire State Building on August 29, 1929. The building was intended to be a joint project between the two, with Raskob as the financier and Smith as the public-facing figure.
The construction of the iconic Empire State Building commenced on September 22, 1929, and it was a significant architectural and engineering feat of the time.
Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria hotel began on October 1, 1929, to make way for the construction of the Empire State Building. The process was challenging due to the materials used in the hotel's construction.
On October 24, 1929, the Wall Street Crash occurred, leading to the Great Depression. Despite the economic downturn, funding was secured for the Empire State Building, with a loan obtained from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in December 1929.
On November 18, 1929, Alfred E. Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, expanding the width of the proposed Empire State Building site.
Two days after acquiring the additional lot, Alfred E. Smith announced updated plans for the Empire State Building, including the addition of five floors and a spire, as well as an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof.
On January 12, 1930, a contract for structural steel was awarded for the Empire State Building. This marked a significant step in the construction process, with excavation work already underway.
Construction of the Empire State Building started on March 17, 1930, with the intention of becoming the world's first 100+ story building. It was completed in a remarkable 1 year and 45 days.
Construction starts on the Empire State Building, which will become the world's first 100+ story building and is completed in a year and 45 days.
Mayor Jimmy Walker signed new building codes into law on March 26, 1930, allowing the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry 18,000 pounds per square inch, reducing the amount of steel needed for the building.
The first steel framework of the Empire State Building was installed on April 1, 1930, marking the beginning of the construction process.
On August 14, 1930, the Empire State Building project involved more than 3,500 workers, with 3,439 workers present on a single day. The workforce included Irish and Italian immigrants, as well as Mohawk ironworkers.
The steel structure of the Empire State Building was topped out at 1,048 feet on September 19, 1930, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of construction.
The mooring mast of the Empire State Building was topped out on November 21, 1930, two months after the steelwork had been completed.
The first suicide from the Empire State Building occurred on April 7, 1931, before its completion, when a laid-off carpenter jumped from the 58th floor.
The Empire State Building was completed structurally on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule. The final rivet, made of solid gold, was shot by Al Smith.
In a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days, construction on the Empire State Building is completed. President Hoover presses a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the building and turning on its lights for the first time.
The Empire State Building was officially opened to the public on September 11, 1931, becoming the tallest building in the world at that time.
Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, when NBC and RCA started transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna atop the mast.
Frederick Eckert of Astoria ran past a guard on the 102nd-floor gallery and jumped to his death from an outdoor catwalk on November 3, 1932.
"King Kong" premieres in New York City, featuring the Empire State Building as a central location in one of cinema's most famous films. This marks the beginning of the building's iconic roles in popular culture.
On the morning of July 28, 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into the Empire State Building, causing shock and tragedy. The event resulted in 14 fatalities and significant damage to the building, although the structure itself remained intact.
On May 1, 1947, Evelyn McHale leapt to her death from the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building. Her oddly intact corpse photo became famous as 'The Most Beautiful Suicide'.
In 1950, a new 222-foot tall, 60-ton antenna was installed on the Empire State Building to allow more stations to use the antenna, increasing the spire height to 1,472 feet.
In 1951, despite a turnaround in fortunes, the Empire State Building was listed for sale by Raskob with a minimum asking price of $50 million. It was eventually purchased for $51 million.
In 1954, the Empire State Building was surpassed as the tallest human-made structure by the Griffin Television Tower in Oklahoma.
In 1955, the American Society of Civil Engineers selected the Empire State Building as one of the seven greatest engineering achievements in America's history, recognizing it alongside iconic structures like the Hoover Dam and Panama Canal.
In 1956, four large beacon lights known as 'The Freedom Lights' were installed at the foot of the Empire State Building tower as a symbol of welcome and freedom to visitors, visible across the city.
In 1958, the Empire State Building was designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, highlighting its architectural significance.
In 1961, plans for the World Trade Center threatened the Empire State Building's status as the tallest building. The new towers eventually surpassed the Empire State Building in height.
In 1963, panels installed in the Empire State Building lobby displayed the original wonders alongside the building, emphasizing its iconic status as a wonder of the world.
In February 1964, flood lights were added on the 72nd floor of the Empire State Building to illuminate the top of the building at night for visibility during the World Fair later that year.
In 1966, the Ostankino Tower succeeded the Empire State Building as the tallest freestanding structure in the world.
Lawrence A. Wien, Peter L. Malkin, and Harry B. Helmsley acquire the Empire State Building for $65 million, the highest price ever paid for a single building at that time.
On October 19, 1970, the World Trade Center's North Tower surpassed the Empire State Building in height, making it the world's tallest building.
The Empire State Building lost its title as the world's tallest skyscraper when it was surpassed by the World Trade Center Towers in 1971.
In 1972, the Empire State Building lost its title as the tallest building in New York to the North Tower of the World Trade Center, signaling a shift in the city's skyline.
From November 1973 to July 1974, the lights on the Empire State Building were turned off due to the energy crisis at the time.
In December 1975, the observation deck on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers opened, offering a higher vantage point than the Empire State Building's 86th floor observatory.
Since 1976, the Empire State Building lighting system changes colors to reflect major holidays and celebrations throughout the year, with a new LED lighting system installed in 2012 allowing for millions of color combinations.
Since October 12, 1977, the spire of the Empire State Building has been lit in colors matching seasonal events and holidays, with organizations able to make requests for specific lighting through the building's website.
Since 1978, the Empire State Building Run-Up has been an annual foot race to the 86th-floor observation deck, attracting participants to climb the iconic skyscraper.
Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor but was blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind, suffering a broken hip on December 2, 1979.
In 1980, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated as city landmarks by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. This recognition highlighted the building's architectural and historical significance.
The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary with a laser light show and an 'Empire State Building Week' that ran through to May 8, 1981.
On May 18, 1981, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission officially designates the Empire State Building as a landmark, recognizing its architectural and historical significance.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate the Empire State Building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981.
In 1986, the Empire State Building is honored as a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Services, highlighting its importance in American history and culture.
The hit romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, released in 1993, directly references the film An Affair to Remember and features the characters meeting at the top of the Empire State Building observatory deck.
Since February 14, 1994, the Empire State Building has been hosting Valentine’s Day weddings, with over 250 couples exchanging vows at this iconic location. The event is a globally recognized tradition, covered by media outlets worldwide.
Abu Kamal, a Palestinian teacher, shot seven people on the 86th floor observation deck, killing one and wounding six before committing suicide on February 23, 1997.
In 1998, the Empire State Building was lit in blue to honor the death of singer Frank Sinatra, known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes'.
On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the Empire State Building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable was severed. Despite the fall, both passengers in the cabin were only slightly injured.
Following the September 11 attacks which destroyed the World Trade Center and its broadcast centers, most of the city's stations were without a transmitter for ten days until they resumed broadcasting from the Empire State Building by October 2001.
In 2002, the land claim of the Empire State Building was sold to the Empire State Building Associates, merging the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.
In 2003, several FM stations were moved to the nearby Condé Nast Building to reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.
In 2006, as the Empire State Building celebrates its 75th anniversary, plans are made for the Empire State ReBuilding program. This initiative involves a comprehensive renovation of the building, including the restoration of the art deco lobby and the recreation of its original ceiling.
In 2007, the Empire State Building was ranked as the top favorite architecture in America by the American Institute of Architects, surpassing iconic landmarks like the White House and the Golden Gate Bridge.
In 2008, the New York Daily News temporarily 'stole' the Empire State Building to demonstrate how easy it was to transfer property deeds. The building was later transferred back to the legitimate owners.
On September 29, 2009, the newly renovated ceiling in the Fifth Avenue lobby of the Empire State Building was revealed, meticulously recreated to match the original art deco mural from the building's opening day, requiring 20,000 working hours for the renovation.
In 2010, Ron Miller characterized the Empire State Building as one of the 'seven wonders of engineering', recognizing its remarkable structural achievements.
In September 2011, the Empire State Building achieved the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold for Existing Buildings rating, recognizing its energy efficiency and environmental efforts.
On January 13, 2012, the Empire State Building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of the NBC program The Today Show.
On April 30, 2012, One World Trade Center surpassed the Empire State Building to become the tallest building in the city.
Jeffrey T. Johnson shot and killed a former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk, leading to a confrontation with police that resulted in his death and injuries to bystanders on August 24, 2012.
On November 26, 2012, the Empire State Building had its first synchronized light show, featuring music from recording artist Alicia Keys.
A man fell from the 86th floor observation deck but landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge on April 25, 2013.
By 2014, the Empire State Building was owned by the Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin serving as chairman, CEO, and president.
In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) obtained new shares equivalent to 9.9% ownership of the Empire State Realty Trust, leading to partial ownership of the Empire State Building.
In August 2018, the main visitor's entrance of the Empire State Building was relocated to 20 West 34th Street as part of a renovation project to enhance visitor traffic flow.
On October 12, 2019, the 102nd floor observatory of the Empire State Building was reopened to the public, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a new glass elevator.
On December 2, 2019, a new observatory on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building was opened to visitors, marking the completion of the renovation project.
After the death of retired basketball player Kobe Bryant in January 2020, the Empire State Building was lit in purple and gold, representing the colors of his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
As of 2021, the Empire State Building is home to various television and FM stations, including WABC-7, WPLJ-95.5, and WHTZ-100.3, among others.
In May 2022, the Empire State Building partnered with Netflix to project the Upside Down from Stranger Things onto the building's exterior to celebrate the return of the show's fourth season.