The Empire State Building The granddaddy of all skyscrapers and now a National Historic Landmark, the Empire State Building (ESB), with its central Manhattan location, offers the best views of New York City. It is still one of the world's tallest buildings. This New York icon was completed in 1931. Its famous Art Deco spire, visible throughout much of New York, is immortalized in countless movies, including King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle. The Empire State Building is located in Manhattan at 350 Fifth Avenue, between Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Street. The building’s splendor and lift, its very being remain a magical presence, a cynosure for the city’s residents, a Mecca for visitor.The idea for the empire State Building emerged from the culture and politics of New York in the early twentieth century, as Democratic presidential candidate Al smith spearheaded plans to erect the world’s tallest skyscraper in a competition with founder of the Chrysler Corp. The construction of the Empire State Building began in March of 1930. It was completed 14 months later in May 1931. It was designed by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, & Harmon Associate. The Empire State Building, at 102 stories, was the tallest building in the world until the completion of the first tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan in 1972. Its cost is $40,948,900. (Include land) building alone is $24,718,000. The building is 102 stories high. It is 1,472 feet to top of antennae; it is 1,250 feet to 102nd floor observatory; area of site is 79,288 square feet. Its structure materials include steel, concrete and brick. Its exterior materials include Indiana limestone and granite, trimmed with aluminum and chrome-nickel steel from the 6th floor to the top. Its interior lobby materials are ceiling high marble, imported from France, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.The foundation of the ESB is special that is strong enough to help holding th...
