The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and completed in 1931. The Empire State Building stood as the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years until the completion of the World Trade Center’s North Tower in Lower Manhattan in 1972. It is currently the fifth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, and the 45th-tallest in the world.
History
The Empire State Building was designed by architects William F. Lamb from the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, which produced the building drawings in just two weeks, using its earlier designs for the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the Carew Tower in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a basis. Construction on the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930. The project involved 3,400 workers, mostly immigrants from Europe, along with hundreds of Mohawk iron workers, many from the Kahnawake reserve near Montreal. It was completed on April 11, 1931, a mere 410 days after construction started.
Architecture
The Empire State Building is an American cultural icon. It is designed in the distinctive Art Deco style and has been named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The building is structured around a steel frame with masonry cladding, and is designed to be fireproof. It is designed in the form of a cross, with four wings extending from a central core. The building’s steel frame is filled with girders, columns, and beams, all of which are encased in masonry and concrete.
Observatory
The Empire State Building has two observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. The 86th floor observatory is 1,050 feet (320 m) high, while the 102nd floor observatory is 1,250 feet (381 m) high. Both observatories offer 360-degree views of New York City and beyond. The 86th floor observatory is the most visited in the world, with over 4 million visitors annually.
Lighting
The Empire State Building is illuminated at night with various colors for different occasions. On September 11, 2001, for example, it was lit in red, white, and blue to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The building is lit in colors to celebrate holidays, special events, and to honor various organizations and individuals.
Other Features
The Empire State Building also features a variety of other features, such as a fully equipped gym, a shopping center, a conference center, and a restaurant. The building is also home to a variety of radio and television broadcast antennas.
Conclusion
The Empire State Building is an iconic symbol of New York City and a testament to the power of human achievement. It has stood as a symbol of progress and innovation for almost a century, and its iconic silhouette is recognized around the world.
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