Empire State Building, New York

The Empire State Building is the world’s tallest building in New York. It has 102 story art deco skyscrapers situated at the intersection of 5th Ave and W 34th Street. Its name is derived from the nickname of New York.

It has been the world's tallest building for more than forty years, from its completion in 1931 until the construction of the World Trade Center North Tower topped out on December 23, 1970. Again, it stands as the tallest building in New York, after the destruction of the World Trade Center in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has named the Empire State Building as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The building and its street floor interiors are designated landmarks of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and confirmed by the New York City Board of Estimate. In 1986 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Empire State Building rises to 381 m (1,250 feet) at the 102nd floor, and its full structural height reaches 443 m (1,453 ft and 8 9/16th in). The building has 85 stories of commercial and office space and an indoor and outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor. It is the first building to have more than 100 floors. There are 6,500 windows, 73 elevators and 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor.

The total floor area is approximately 254,000 m² (2,768,591 sq. ft.). The base of the Empire State Building is about 0.8 ha (2 acres). With 1,000 businesses operating at this place, approximately 20,000 employees work in the building every day making the Empire State Building as the second largest single office complex in America after The Pentagon. There are 73 elevators in all, including service elevators and the building weighs approximately 330,000 Mg (370,000 tons). The construction was completed in one year and 45 days.

Location

Empire State Building is situated at the intersection of 5th Ave and W 34th Street Manhattan, New York, USA.

Historical Importance

It is was first developed by the John Thomson Farm in the late 18th century, designed by Gregory Johnson. The contractors were Starrett Brothers and Eken, Alfred E Smith, a former Governor of New York. The building was opened on May 1, 1931 by US President Herbert Hoover in Washington DC.

The Communication and Broadcasting Stations were started in 1931 at the top of the building and the 85th floor was used for RCA’s New York television operations. Even other television broadcasters joined RCA from 81st to 83rd floors. Both TV and FM together started in 1951.

Over 100 films were shot in this building including the famous movies like King Kong, Independence Day, Terror in New York City, etc.

Nearby Attractions:

Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is the American symbol of freedom and was a gift to the United States in honor of the friendship established during the French Revolution.

Grand Central Terminal
The Grand Central is a great hub for transportation and it has shops and dining apart from group tours and free tours for individuals on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, is known for its Christmas tree, ice skating, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Radio City Music Hall and numerous shopping and dining opportunities.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum has interactive exhibits, walking tours and movies which reveal the hardships and challenges faced by immigrants passing through Ellis Island.

Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry from lower Manhattan to Staten Island, used by commuters and tourists to view the harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

American Museum of Natural History
The museum has the Rose Center planetarium and regular exhibits apart from hosting a revolving series of new exhibits.

Central Park
The Central Park is an interesting picnic spot.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Museum has over 2 millions of art work from around the world.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
It is the first museum dedicated entirely for the contemporary modern art.