The Empire State Building stands majestically as one of the world’s most famous and iconic landmarks.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, New York, the skyscraper, including its sizeable antenna, is 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall and towers over the Big Apple.
It is also visible from a plethora of vantage points, standing prominently within the New York City skyline.
Now, we hope you aren’t afraid of heights because it’s time for some lofty facts about the famous Empire State Building!
The Empire State Building is located on Fifth Avenue, the site of the former Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The hotel was sold in 1928 for $20 million and later demolished to make way for the skyscraper’s construction.
Construction of the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930. The 102-story skyscraper was completed in record-breaking time, taking just one year and 45 days!
At its peak, the construction of the Empire State Building involved more than 3,500 workers, many of whom were Irish and Italian immigrants.
Between 1931 and 1970, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world. It was later surpassed by the North Tower of the original World Trade Center, which reached 1,368 feet (417 meters) to the roof.
The skyscraper was the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors, marking an incredible architectural achievement.
The Empire State Building derives its name from the state of New York’s nickname, “The Empire State,” which New York adopted in the 1800s.
The Empire State Building made its first—and perhaps its most famous—movie appearance in the 1933 blockbuster King Kong. The film featured Kong, a giant ape, iconically climbing the skyscraper at the end!
In 1950, a 222-foot (67.7 m) tall, 60-ton (54.4 tonnes) antenna was built, raising the building’s height to 1,472 feet (448.7 m). When the antenna was replaced in 1985, it was reduced to 1,454 feet (443.2 m).
You may have seen some iconic photos of the Empire State Building being struck by lightning. That’s because the skyscraper’s antenna gets hit by lightning an average of 25 times per year!
The Empire State Building’s original observatory deck received its 50 millionth visitor in 1976. The three observatory decks in operation today receive around 2.5 million annual visitors from around the world!
The Empire State Building’s first 85 floors are used for office and commercial space. Floors 80, 86, and 102 have observatory decks, while floors 87 through 101 are part of the skyscraper’s spire.
The Empire State Building’s spire has been lit up with various colors since October 1977. The spire changes color regularly for events like the New York Knicks games and Pride Month.
The Empire State Building weighs 365,000 tons (331,122 tonnes), has an internal volume of 37 million cubic feet (1 million cubic meters), and has 2 million feet (609,600 m) of electrical wires!
The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to be an airship docking station. However, the idea was eventually deemed too dangerous and scrapped.
The Empire State Building has 73 elevators, with the longest ones traveling from the lobby to the 80th floor. Some of these elevators connect visitors and staff to the 86th and 102nd observatory decks from floor 80.
On April 30, 2012, the One World Trade Center, standing at 1,776 feet (541 m), overtook the Empire State Building as the tallest building in New York City. The One World Trade Center was built following 9/11.
Many notable companies, including Expedia Group, Qatar Airways, and Shutterstock, have corporate offices at the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building was designated a National Historic Landmark by the US government on June 24, 1986. It is one of around 2,500 sites on the USA’s National Register of Historic Places to receive this designation.
An annual foot race, known as the Empire State Building Run-Up, has been held annually since 1978. Participants race from the lobby floor of the skyscraper to the 86th-floor observatory deck.
The Empire State Building has its own ZIP code, 10118. It is one of over 40 buildings in New York City to have a recognized ZIP code.
We trust that you aren’t too dizzy after reaching the summit of those sky-high facts about the Empire State Building!
Overall, the legendary skyscraper has a captivating history, from its 1930s construction to its current status as one of the world’s most iconic and popular tourist attractions.
The next time you catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building, you’ll now have some extra built-up knowledge about this universally recognized tower!
