Certified Secondary English/Language Teacher B.S.Ed Secondary Education & English; M.Ed. Education Administration; Ed.S. Education Administration
The Empire State Building is a 1,454 feet tall building with 102 stories towering over New York City. Currently, the Empire State Building is the fourth tallest building in New York City, the sixth largest building in the United States, and the 43rd tallest building in the world. Built to compete with the Chrysler Building, construction on the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930, at the original location of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The background surrounding this famous skyscraper includes a race to finish that the public was not aware of at the time. The hotel was bought and demolished in preparation for the Empire State Building. Architects and builders began the most challenging architectural project in US history. The building was raised four and a half stories each week. The Empire State Building was completed and opened for visitors and for the lease of office space in a record-breaking one year and forty-five days.
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The Empire State Building ranks among the tallest buildings in the world. Though its impressive 1,454 feet makes it only the fourth tallest building in New York City. The 102 floors located inside the Empire State Building are equally as impressive to visitors, a space so expansive that it has earned its own zip code, 10118. One little-known fact about the Empire State Building is that there are 2.8 million square feet inside the building that are rentable to various businesses. Some of the businesses that currently occupy office space inside the most visited skyscraper in the world include LinkedIn, Shutterstock, and Citizen HNTB. The lobby of the Empire State Building is described as Art Deco and is one of the few interiors in New York that is designated as a historic landmark by the Landmark Preservation Society. The number of businesses that can be found inside the building, along with the unparalleled view of six states from the observatory deck, has helped to make the Empire State Building Uber's most popular destination, accounting for more than 75 million riders in 2018.
At one time, the 102 stories of the Empire State Building did measure up to be the tallest building in NYC. However, today, it is the fourth tallest building in the city. The Empire State Building held the title of the world's tallest building until 1971. During the construction of the Empire State Building, there was intense competition to achieve the moniker of the world's tallest building. As of 1929, the world's tallest building was the Chrysler Building. When the construction of the Empire State Building was completed in 1931, the building's height reached 1,250 feet. When the spire was added to the top of the building, that height increased to 1,472 feet in 1950. Eventually, that spire was replaced and the Empire State Building has remained at 1,454 feet since 1985. However, just as the Empire State Building replaced the Chrysler Building as the world's tallest building, the original World Trade Center Tower, also located in New York City, replaced the Empire State Building as the world's tallest upon its completion in 1972. The first of the twin towers stood at 1,368 feet but increased to 1,730 feet with the addition of a large antenna.
Construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930 and was completed in 1931. However, the plan to erect the world's tallest building began in 1928 when the location was purchased for the building site. The original Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York City was sold to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation for $20 million dollars; soon, that building was demolished, making way for construction on the Empire State Building to begin. In 1929, the Empire State, Inc. was formed and the former governor of New York, Alfred Smith, was named head of the corporation. Finally, on March 17, 1930, construction on the Empire State Building began with plans to be the first building of more than 100 stories. Thirteen months later, construction was completed on the skyscraper, and it opened to the public on May 1, 1931.
Constructing the Empire State Building did not take builders long. In just over 13 months, construction on the 102-story building was complete. Due to a lack of space for storage of any building materials because of the location on Fifth Avenue, when supplies were delivered in the morning to the building site, those materials had to be used that day. This fact caused the Empire State Building to increase in height at the rate of 4.5 stories every week that builders were on site.
To visit the Empire State Building, a ticket must be purchased: $44.00 USD for adults and $38.00 USD for children up to age 12. Once inside the building, there are two main observation decks that can be used to view the skyline of New York City and the six surrounding states. Also inside, there are exhibits and tours that offer visitors insight into the history of the skyscraper that include an image of the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel in the place where the Empire State Building now stands. There are also replicas of the original Otis elevators that showcase a simulation of the original elevator shafts that took visitors to the 102nd floor. Finally, securing the Empire State Building's eternal presence in pop culture, visitors can also feel the hands of King Kong as they "crush" through the walls, complete with vibrations of anger from the giant Kong, as seen in the iconic 1933 film, King Kong.
In 1929, the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel located on Fifth Avenue in New York City was purchased for $20 million dollars and was to become the site of the world's tallest building. At the time there were competing skyscrapers vying for the title of the world's tallest. At the time, the Chrysler Building held the honor, but the team behind the Empire State Building had a vision of erecting the first building that stood over 100 stories. Construction began on the record-breaking building on March 17, 1930, and just 13 months later, the team's vision became a reality. Construction was complete and the new tallest building in the world was open to the public on May 1, 1931.
The Empire State Building stands 102 stories tall today and measures 1,454 feet tall with the addition of the latest spire in 1985. Until the construction of the original World Trade Center Tower, the Empire State Building retained that status. Millions visit this famous skyscraper every year, even earning Uber's most requested destination in 2018. When visiting the landmark, the public first enters the famous Art Deco-inspired lobby before taking one of the many elevators up to the observation deck that opens up to an unparalleled view of New York City and six surrounding states.
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Construction on the Empire State Building was completed in March 1931. However, the latest spire was added to the building in 1985. As of 2022, the building itself is 91 years old.
The Empire State Building is famous for multiple reasons. First, until the construction of the original World Trade Center tower, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Chrysler Building. However, since its construction in 1931, the Empire State Building has been embedded in various examples of pop culture securing its timeless fame.
Five facts about the Empire State Building include the location, construction, and height of the world-famous building. The location of the Empire State Building is on the site of the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Construction of the building began in 1930 and was completed in just 13 months. The Empire State Building grew at a rate of 4.5 stories every week during construction. Today, the Empire State Building stands at 1,454 feet and is the fourth largest building in New York.
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