Empire State Building – An icon of American Architecture
Empire state building is located in New York City. It is known as a Beautiful icon of American Architecture.
Empire State is also the nickname of New York because of its wealth. Alfred E. Smith and John J. Raskob were behind the idea of this massive structure. Together they decided to build world’s tallest building.
History
The site on which Empire State building in New York is standing was occupied by Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in downtown New York City.
In 1929 it took five months for 3,400 workers to tear down this hotel and build Empire State at that place. Instead of making building from bricks and concrete from the outside, steel framework was used inside to provide support to whole structure. Advances in technology helped Alfred E. Smith and John J. Raskob in building this massive 1,250 foot tall building.
During the construction of Empire State Building of New York City massive structure, there was intense competition between three projects to be declared as world’s tallest building.
The building was officially opened on May 1, 1931 in dramatic fashion, when United States President Herbert Hoover turned on the building's lights with the push of a button from Washington, D.C.
Architecture:
It was first building of the world having more than 100 floors. It has 73 elevators, and 6500 windows. From the ground floor to the top floor, it has 1,860 steps.
The building has 85 stories for commercial and office purpose. Rest of 16 stories represents the Art Deco tower, which is capped by a 102nd-floor observatory. Total cost incurred in Empire State Building was about $40,948,900.
Flood lights:
In 1964, flood lights were added at the top of the Empire State building to light up. The color selection of the lights was very special and was matching with some seasonal and other important events, such as Independence Day and Christmas. In 2004, the building stood in complete pitch darkness after the death of actress Fay Wray.
During the last Grandslam of Tennis US open in New York City, the flood lights turn into yellow color because of yellow color of a tennis ball. In September every year, the building is lit in with the top lights off (for black) to celebrate the German-American Steuben Parade on Fifth Avenue.
Broadcast Stations:
After 9/11 attacks, all the commercial broadcasting of TV and radio is transmitted from the top of Empire State Building.
Empire State building is also famous for a film King Kong in 1933, in which a giant ape climbs the building to escape, but he falls to death.
