Empire State Building is an iconic landmark located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, having stood as a symbol of the city’s strength and resilience for nearly a century. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and completed in 1931, and stands at a height of 1,454 feet (443 meters). It is the fifth-tallest building in the United States and the thirty-fourth tallest in the world.
History
The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years, until the completion of the World Trade Center’s North Tower in 1972. It was the first building to surpass the height of the Eiffel Tower, and is still the tallest building in New York City. The building was designed in the Art Deco style and has become a popular tourist attraction. It has been featured in numerous movies and television shows, and is one of the most recognizable symbols of New York City.
Empire State Building and Empire State Building Company
The Empire State Building was built by the Empire State Building Company, a real estate investment trust formed by Alfred E. Smith, the former governor of New York. The company was formed in 1929 to develop the site of the former Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which had been demolished to make way for the new building. The company was headed by John Jakob Raskob, who served as its chairman and president. The company was also responsible for the construction of the neighboring Chrysler Building, which was completed in 1930.
Design and Construction
The Empire State Building was designed by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon. The design of the building was inspired by the art deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. The building features an iconic stepped pyramid shape, with setbacks at the 86th, 102nd, and 116th floors. The building is clad in aluminum and terracotta, with the uppermost stories being sheathed in stainless steel. The building is illuminated at night by floodlights, which can be changed to different colors to commemorate special occasions.
Features
The Empire State Building is home to a variety of features, including an observation deck on the 86th floor, an open-air observatory on the 102nd floor, and a glass-enclosed observatory on the top floor. The building also has several restaurants, retail stores, and office space. The building also houses the Empire State Building Museum, which features exhibits about the building’s history and construction.
Empire State Building and its Impact on City Building
The Empire State Building has had a profound impact on the development of New York City. The building was a major source of employment during the Great Depression, and its construction provided a much-needed boost to the city’s economy. The building also helped to define the city’s skyline, and its iconic design has become a symbol of New York City’s strength and resilience. The building has also served as a model for other tall buildings, and has inspired a number of skyscrapers around the world.
Conclusion
The Empire State Building is an iconic landmark that has come to symbolize the strength and resilience of New York City. It was the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years, and its construction provided a much-needed boost to the city’s economy during the Great Depression. The building’s iconic design has also inspired a number of skyscrapers around the world, and has had a profound impact on the development of the city.