Empire State Building, Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, United States
The Empire State Building is an Art Deco office tower in Midtown Manhattan rising 1,454 feet (443 meters) across 102 floors, clad in limestone over a steel frame. Observation decks sit on the 86th and 102nd floors, offering views across the entire metropolitan region to the horizon.
Construction started in 1930 under architect William Lamb and finished in just 410 days in 1931, initially serving mainly as office space. The tower held the title of tallest building in the world until 1970 and underwent several modernizations over the decades.
Visitors arrive daily from around the world to photograph the city from the observation decks, often marking special occasions like engagements or anniversaries. The tower spire lights up at night in changing colors tied to holidays or events, making the building a visible part of New York public life.
Elevators carry visitors to the observation decks daily from 8 AM to 2 AM, with early mornings or late evenings drawing fewer crowds. Buying tickets online in advance avoids long waits at the entrance.
The tower spire was originally designed as a docking station for airships but proved impractical and dangerous due to strong winds at that height. The building has its own ZIP code and became the site of several daring stunts, including parachute jumps and climbing attempts.
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