Empire State Building in New York: photo, history, interesting facts, map
In the 30s of the 20th century, the Empire State Building in New York was considered the eighth wonder of the world, but even now it is difficult for architects to come up with something new that can hit the world in the same way. This building was considered the tallest in the world for 40 years. We will tell you about unique facts – for example, there is a person who, after visiting the Empire State Building and the tragic event that happened there, got into the Guinness Book of Records. You will also find out how incredibly many days the business center was built and what floor you need to climb to see the city from a bird's eye view.
Construction history
The high-rise began to be built in those days when skyscrapers were erected on the same place and other investors who wanted their houses to be recognized as the height of perfection. Note that this was the time of the Great Depression, when famine reigned in the country. Businessmen, however, staged a competition: just then other grandiose buildings appeared – 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building.
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But the imperial building turned out to be the winner not only in terms of height, but also in terms of construction time: the building was built in just 410 days – it grew by 4.5 floors every week. During the construction of the tower, there was such a moment: the building was built on 14 floors in just 10 days. The height of the Empire State Building is 381 m, and if we keep in mind the antenna towering above it, it is 443.2 m.
At the same time, investors – businessmen John Raskob and Pierre du Pont – spent 2 times less money than planned: they were ready to fork out $43 million (now this amount would be approximately $500 million), but in the end they managed to meet 24.7 million dollars (about 370 million at the moment).
Millionaires found an architect in the office of Shreve, Lamb and Harmon: the project – in just 2 weeks – was developed by a certain William F. Lamb. According to rumors, he was urged on by other employees of the architectural bureau, offering to design the tallest building that would not fall after the completion of construction work. Labm distinguished himself – the house he invented did not fall even after the invasion of King Kong and other events.
The construction was completed on May 1, 1931, but before everyone the house appeared in all its glory in November 1932 – to commemorate the victory in the presidential election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The building sparkled: then, for the first time, lighting was used to decorate houses, which is now used in all the big cities of the world.
Interesting Facts
The Empire State Building is primarily a business center. About 1,000 companies are located here, employing more than 20,000 people. To have a room in this building now is the best recommendation for a businessman, although it used to cause ridicule (it was called empty – Empty State Building).
The building has 102 floors, the total area of all premises in it is approximately 257 thousand square meters, it has 6500 windows. According to the people who climbed to the very top, the path takes 1860 steps. The observation deck, from which the whole city is visible, is located on the 86th floor. From this height, all areas of the city are perfectly visible – with its parks, bridges, strolling tourists and yellow taxis. The most impressive sight, breathtaking literally for everyone, is observed after sunset: the illuminated streets viewed from a height in the evening resemble the Milky Way.
The antennas of all TV companies in the country are placed on the roof of the building. When creating their project, the architects also thought that aircraft could land here (at that time they were airships) – they planned to create a mooring platform between the 86th and 102nd floors. This project was not destined to come true: the airships never landed on the roof of the Empire State Building. The reason for this was strong air currents at the height of the building – they demolished all objects approaching them. However, people abandoned airships as a means of transport very soon.
Empire State Building at the movies
The most famous building in New York has repeatedly come to the attention of filmmakers. The most famous shots are, of course, in the film about King Kong, filmed in 1933. The Empire State Building appears in more than 90 films. But this building also got a bad reputation: it was very popular with suicides. More than 30 people have jumped from the observation deck of the tower on the 86th floor during its existence.
Fortunately, not all attempts ended in tragedy: for example, one of the potential suicides after a fatal jump received only a hip fracture. It happened in 1979: a 29-year-old girl who jumped off the observation deck was thrown by a gust of wind onto a ledge on the 85th floor. From there, she was removed by the building's security guards, who then called an ambulance.
The skyscraper survived the plane‘s impact (unlike the twin towers that collapsed on 11/11/01). In 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into it. He hit the span between the 79th and 80th floors. Then 14 people died, but many more were saved. One of the lucky ones even got into the Guinness Book of Records: the man survived after the fall of the elevator, which was at the time of the disaster on the 75th floor.
Observation deck on the 86th floor
Those wishing to enjoy the views of New York will be delivered to the observation deck of the building (86th floor) by 73 elevators. On the 80th floor (the journey will take no more than a minute) there is a souvenir shop. After inspecting and buying souvenirs, as well as telling employees about how the building was built, tourists go to another elevator to climb to the very top (this can also be done on foot – up the stairs).
Note that the way there by high-speed elevator takes only one minute, and you can always go up here: the site is open from 08.00 to 02.00 daily. You will have to pay an entrance fee – $ 19, a children's ticket costs $ 14. After that, a panorama of five states opens up before tourists at once.
The building is also distinguished by a unique lighting system: it changes depending on the holidays. On Independence Day, the color of the building resembles the American flag – it turns blue-red-white; on a holiday celebrated by all Irish people – St. Patrick's Day – the skyscraper is painted green, and on Columbus Day – green-white-red.
The attendance of the skyscraper is more than a thousand people a day. Address Empire State Building: New York, Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, 350 (Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, 35). Metro 34th St – Herald Sq (B, D, F, M)
A few more interesting places in the USA are Badlands, Carlsbad Caverns and Glacier Park.