The Empire State Building is one of the most recognisable skyscrapers in America and one of the most iconic in the world. Located in New York, the Art-deco building was at one time the tallest building in the world. On a clear day, you are so high up that, from the observation deck, you can see five different states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Curious to learn more about this iconic and interesting American landmark? Then, read on. We’ll tell you how long it took to build the Empire State Building, as well as plenty of other interesting facts about its construction.
How Long did it Take to build the Empire State Building?
It took 1 year and 45 days to build the Empire State Building. That’s an incredible 410 days.
When was the skyscraper built?
Workers started construction of the Empire State Building on 17 March 1930. They completed the structure of a building on 11 April 1931. President Herbert Hoover officially opened the building on 1 May 1931 by pressing a button in Washington, D.C.
Where is the Empire State Building?
The skyscraper is located in Midtown Manhattan in New York City in the United States of America.
Who built the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Inc. consortium owned the land and announced the plans for the skyscraper. Architect William Lamb of the firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, designed the building and drew up the plans in 1929. General contractors Starrett Brothers and Eken oversaw the building’s construction. Starrett Brothers and Eken was the premier “skyline builders” of the 1920s.
How many people built the Empire State Building?
As many as 3,400 men worked each day on the construction of the skyscraper. They worked for $15 a day and built 4.5 floors a week until completion.
What is the Empire State Building made of?
The skyscraper’s exterior is made of Indiana limestone and granite, some 200,000 cubic feet of it. It is also made of 10 million bricks and 730 tons of aluminium and stainless steel.
How tall is the Empire State Building?
The total height of the building is 1,454 feet or 443.2 meters from the base to the top of the building’s lightning rod/antenna. It has 102 floors and there are 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor. It was the tallest building in the world for 40 years until the World Trade Center towers were opened in 1970. Today, the Empire State Building is the 49th-tallest in the world.
How many people died building the Empire State Building?
Officially, five people died building the skyscraper. However, rumour has it that hundreds of workers died during its construction. Official records say five workers died. These workers slipped or fell or heavy objects hit them.
How much did it cost to build the skyscraper?
It cost $41,000,000 to build Empire State Building in 1931. The construction cost was $24.7 million and $16 million was for the land.
What is inside the Empire State Building?
Office spaces fill almost all the floors (up to the 85th floor). With 2.7 million square feet of office space, the Empire State Building is one of the largest office buildings in the world. In fact, it is considered the “World’s Most Famous Office Building”. Apart from offices, inside the skyscraper, you’ll also find two observation decks that are open to the public. Also, on the 80th floor, you’ll find a permanent exhibit that showcases the astonishing history, engineering and construction of the building.
