Empire State Building

The Empire State Building rises nearly one third of a mile (1/2 a kilometer) into the Manhatten sky. Designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, this skyscraper in New York City was the tallest building in the world for over 40 years, and still remains a much-loved landmark.

History and Construction
Due to New York's zoning laws at the time, the construction of skyscrapers had to be pulled back to a minimum to reduce the shadows which tall buildings would cast. The result of this was for a series of buildings that seemed similur to the ziggurates of Mesopotamia or the medieval cathedrals of Europe. The Empire State Building was the greatest of these temples of commerce, rising 1,250 ft (381 m) above fifth Avenue.

The spire was intended as a mooring mast for airships, but fierce updrafts made this too dangerous. In 1951, a broadcasting antenna was added, topping 1,445 ft (443.5 m). The building turned out to be strong: in July 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th and 80th floors; fourteen people died and the tower swayed, but the fire was put out within 40 minutes and was put back to business.

Today, the Empire State Building thrives both as a commercial building and as a national historical monument.

Summary

 * Architect(s): Shreve, Lamb & Harmon


 * Height: 1,445 ft (443.5 m)


 * Number of Stories: 103


 * Official Opening: 1931

Other facts:

The Empire State Building has 73 elevators, 6,500 windows, and weighs 330,000 tons.