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.
Location: Manhattan
Inception: May 1, 1931
Architects: Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Official opening: May 1, 1931
Architectural style: Art Deco architecture
Elevators: 73
Height: 453 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Made from material: steel, limestone, brick, cement
Part of: Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Address: 5th Avenue
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:00-02:00
Phone: +12127363100
Website: https://esbnyc.com
GPS coordinates: 40.74833,-73.98556
Latest update: December 2, 2025 20:39
This collection brings together skyscrapers that showcase advances in modern engineering and architecture worldwide. These structures rise above metropolises and reshape city horizons, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the CCTV headquarters in Beijing with its two linked towers. Each building reflects a unique architectural approach and technical innovations tailored to its environment. The selection spans all continents and features buildings with various functions. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, 452 meters high and connected by a sky bridge, stand alongside New York’s One World Trade Center, which reaches 541 meters. The Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg is notable for its twisted glass facade, while the Torre Costanera in Santiago offers panoramic views of the Andes. Whether residential buildings like the Eureka Tower in Melbourne or commercial structures such as the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, these constructions demonstrate how contemporary architecture shapes 21st-century cities.
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
This collection brings together high rises and structures from different continents that redefine conventional building standards through their exceptional architecture. From the spiral rotation of Turning Torso in Malmö to the distinctive form of the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, these buildings showcase innovative approaches to construction and design. The selection includes Burj Khalifa in Dubai, currently the world's tallest building at 2,717 feet (828 meters), as well as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore with its distinctive rooftop terrace. The collection also presents cultural facilities such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry with its sculptural titanium facades and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Additional examples are the Absolute World Towers in Mississauga, known as the Marilyn Monroe Towers for their twisted structure, as well as Shanghai Tower, which rises 2,073 feet (632 meters). The Guangzhou Opera House and the Helix Bridge in Singapore demonstrate the diversity of contemporary architectural solutions. Each of these structures combines technical innovation with architectural vision and shapes its city's skyline. From historic skyscrapers like the Empire State Building to modern developments like Bosco Verticale in Milan with its planted facades, this selection offers insights into the evolution of high rise construction worldwide.
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