The Empire State Building was officially opened on May 1, 1931, as the world’s tallest building. It remained the tallest building in the world for 41 years. The building was considered the World’s tallest building from 1931 (when construction was completed) until 1972 (when World Trade Center’s North Tower was constructed). When the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, the Empire State Building became the tallest building in New York City again. It is currently the fifteenth tallest building in the world, but is an internationally known landmark and a popular tourist destination.
The Empire State Building got its name from New York’s nickname, “The Empire State.” Currently, the Empire State Building is ranked third in terms of the tallest skyscrapers in the USA. The tallest skyscraper is Willis Tower, followed by Trump International Hotel and Tower, which are both located in Chicago.
The building was designed by William F. Lamb, one of the partners of the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. The structural engineer of the Empire State Building was Homer Gage Balcom and the main contractor was Starrett Brothers and Eken.
After eight decades of its completion, a squad from the Clinton Climate Initiative, Jones Lang LaSalle, Johnson Controls, and the Rocky Mountain Institute collaborated with the Empire State Building Company to metamorphose the building into an energy efficient and eco-friendly building.
The Empire State Building has been featured in many movies and television shows. Andy Warhol’s silent film Empire, released in 1964 featured footage of the building, and Sleepless in Seattle also shot at the Empire State Building. Other movies with a glimpse of the Empire State Building include West Side Story, Step Up 3D, and The Other Guys.
Empire State Building Location Map
Empire State Building Video
Facts about Empire State Building
- The Empire State Building was the first building to have more than 100 floors.
- There are 73 elevators in the Empire State Building.
- The address of the Empire State Building is 350 Fifth Avenue Manhattan, New York 10118.
- The construction of this building started in 1929 and ended in 1931.
- The total cost to build the Empire State Building was $40,948,900.
- The building is being renovated at a cost of about $550 million.
- Around $120 million has been spent in order to convert the building into an energy efficient and eco-friendly building.
- In September 2011, the building received a gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and is the tallest LEED certified building in the USA.
Where is Empire State Building?
Located in New York City, the Empire State Building stands 102 stories high – 1,250 feet (or 381 meters) tall, or 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) tall, including the spire. It is accessible via subway, bus, and rail routes. The nearest airports include JFK International Airport, La Guardia Airport (NewYork) and Newark-Liberty International Airport (New York).
Best time to visit Empire State Building
You can visit the Empire State Building anytime of the year. However, the best suited time would be clear and dry days for vivid views.
Empire State Building Address
350 5th Ave,
New York, NY, 10001
Empire State Building Hours
The Empire State Building is open all round the year. The last elevator goes up at 1:15 am. During Special holidays, the visiting hours are from 8:00 am till 2:00 am.
Empire State Building Tickets
You are required to purchase Empire State Building Observation Deck Tickets. The charges for tickets vary with the package.
- For Main Deck only i.e. till 86th-floor Adults have to pay $34, Senior (62+) citizens have to pay $31 and charges per child (6-12 years) are $27.
- For an Under Main Deck Express package all the visitors are required to pay $60. It takes the visitors speedily to the 86th Floor Observatory only.
- Main Deck+Top Deck package includes visits to the 86th and 102nd floor. The charges for this are a little more. Adults tickets cost $54, senior citizen $51 and $47 per child.
- Main Deck+Top Deck Express levies a fee of $80 on all the visitors. No need to wait for your turn as the express service takes you directly to 86th and 102nd floor.
More on Empire State Building
Nearby Attractions: Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Statue of Liberty , American Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Related – NYC Map | New York Map | Empire State Building Infographics