The Empire State Building has been named one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It is one the most recognizable buildings in the world and one of the most impressive skyscrapers ever built. Towering over central Manhattan at 350 Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building offers majestic views of New York City. Built in 1931 at the height of the Great Depression, the 443 meter (1454 foot) tall, 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world upon its completion in 1931 and held that distinction until the World Trade Center’s first tower was completed in 1972.
The Empire State Building came from the vision of Al Smith, a Democratic presidential candidate, who led the plans to construct the tallest skyscraper in the world. The project was financed by General Motors executive, Jackob Raskob, and Pierre S Dupont. Construction began in 1930 on the site where the famous Waldorf-Astoria hotel had once stood, and the building was completed just 14 months later in May 1931. The distinctive Art Deco design of the Empire State Building was by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates. The building was constructed out of concrete, steel and brick. Exterior materials on the building include granite and limestone from Indiana and trimmed with steel and aluminum. The interior ceilings are marble imported from Italy, France, Germany and Belgium.
The top of the Empire State Building has been fitted with a lighting system that helps to draw attention to the skyscraper and enhance the night sky with its illuminated light. There is a yearly lighting schedule that is used to celebrate different seasons, national holidays and New York’s sporting teams, along with other special occasions.
The Empire State Building, due to its great size, has figured prominently in some strange occurrences. In 1945 an Army Air Corps 8-25 crashed into the 79th story of the building. The crash caused over $1 million in damages but did not affect the structural integrity of the building. On foggy nights during the autumn and spring bird migrations, the flood lights have to be turned off so that the birds will not become disoriented and crash into the building. The Empire State Building has also been the scene of several suicides.
The Empire State Building is not only an architectural marvel and historic landmark, but also serves as a tourist attraction, office building, telecommunication and broadcasting center and shopping mall. There are approximately 15,000 office spaces with many lawyers, doctors and insurance agencies housed in the building. More than 3 million visitors come to see the famous skyscraper each year. The Empire State Building is truly an icon and symbol of New York. There are two observatories that visitors can use to view New York City from on the 86th and 102nd floors.
The Empire Building is a popular culture icon as well. The skyscraper was immortalized in the classic King Kong film and also made its appearance in countless other movies such as An Affair to Remember, Guys and Dolls, Funny Face, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and several Woody Allen movies.