View source for Empire State Building

{{Short description|Office skyscraper in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Distinguish|Empire Building (Manhattan)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox building
| logo             = Esb-logo-oneline.svg
| logo_alt         = Empire State Building logo
| image            = View of Empire State Building from Rockefeller Center New York City dllu (cropped2).jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = Empire State Building illuminated in 2021
| highest_start    = 1931
| highest_end      = 1970
| highest_prev     = [[Chrysler Building]]
| highest_next     = [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]<!-- Do not add North Tower -->
| location         = 350 [[Fifth Avenue]]{{efn|The tenants' entrance is located at 350 Fifth Avenue, while the visitors' entrance is located at 20 West 34th Street.<ref name="am New York 2018"/>}}<br/>[[Manhattan]], New York, 10118{{efn|name="EmpireZip"}}<br/>U.S.
| start_date       = {{start date and age|1930|03|17}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}}
| topped_out_date  = {{start date and age|1930|09|19}}
| completion_date  = {{start date and age|1931|04|11}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}}
| opened           = {{start date and age|May 1, 1931}}<ref name="The New York Times 1931"/>
| building_type    = [[Office building]]; [[observation deck]]s
| roof             = {{cvt|1250|ft|m|1}}<ref name=skyscrapercenter />
| tip              = {{cvt|1454|ft|m|1}}<ref name=skyscrapercenter/>
| top_floor        = {{cvt|1224|ft|m|1}}<ref name=skyscrapercenter/>
| antenna_spire    = {{cvt|204|ft|m|1}}<ref name=skyscrapercenter/>
| observatory      = 80th, 86th, and 102nd (top) floors<ref name=skyscrapercenter/>
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| coordinates      = {{Wikidatacoord|Q9188|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| other_dimensions = {{cvt|424|ft|m|1}} east–west; {{cvt|187|ft|m|1}} north–south<ref name=emporis>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/building/empirestatebuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128033317/http://www.emporis.com/building/empirestatebuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 28, 2012 |title=Empire State Building, New York City |author=Emporis GmbH |work=[[Emporis]] }}</ref>
| floor_count      = 102<ref name=skyscrapercenter>{{Cite web |title=Empire State Building |website=The Skyscraper Center |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/empire-state-building/261 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612162526/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/empire-state-building/261 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=emporis /><ref name=skypage>{{Cite web |title=Empire State Building, New York City |website=SkyscraperPage.com |url=https://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=23 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612174006/https://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=23 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|name="Floor count"}}
| elevator_count   = 73<ref name=skyscrapercenter />
| cost             = $40,948,900<ref name="Sinclair, M. 1998"/><br />(equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|40,948,900|1931}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}
| floor_area       = {{cvt|2248355|sqft|m2|0}}<ref name=skyscrapercenter />
| architect        = [[Shreve, Lamb and Harmon]]
| architectural_style = [[Art Deco]]
| structural_engineer = [[Homer G. Balcom|Homer Gage Balcom]]
| main_contractor  = [[Starrett Corporation|Starrett Brothers and Eken]]
| developer        = Empire State Inc., including [[John J. Raskob]] and [[Al Smith]]
| owner            = Empire State Realty Trust
| references       = I. {{note|talleststatus}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/114095 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405181920/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/114095 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |title=Empire State Building |work=[[Emporis]]}}<br /><ref name=skyscrapercenter/><ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1842&ResourceType=Building |title=Empire State Building |date=September 11, 2007 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805161100/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1842&ResourceType=Building |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a|dateform=mdy }}</ref>
| website          = {{URL|esbnyc.com}}
| nrhp             = {{Infobox historic site
 |embed = yes
 |designation1 = NHL
 |designation1_date = June 24, 1986
 |designation1_number = 82001192
 |designation2 = NRHP
 |designation2_date = November 17, 1982
 |designation2_number = 82001192
 |designation3 = NYSRHP
 |designation3_date = September 27, 1982<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System">{{cite web |title=Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |date=November 7, 2014 |url=https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190404141934/https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 |designation3_number = 06101.001691
 |designation4 = NYCL
 |designation4_date = May 19, 1981{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=1}}
 |designation4_number = 2000{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=1}}
 |designation4_free1name = Designated entity
 |designation4_free1value = Facade
 |designation5 = NYCL
 |designation5_date = May 19, 1981{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|p=1}}
 |designation5_number = 2001{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|p=1}}
 |designation5_free1name = Designated entity
 |designation5_free1value = Interior: Lobby
 }}
}}

The '''Empire State Building''' is a 102-story,{{efn|name="Floor count"|Most sources state that there are 102 floors,<ref name=skyscrapercenter /><ref name=emporis /><ref name=skypage/> but some give a figure of 103 floors due to the presence of a balcony above the 102nd floor.<ref name="Branigin 2012">{{cite news |title=Gunman Shoots Former Co-Worker Near Empire State Building, Is Shot by Police |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/gunman-opens-fire-outside-empire-state-building-is-shot-by-police/2012/08/24/af5d1bde-edf0-11e1-b0eb-dac6b50187ad_story.html |access-date=October 30, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 24, 2012 |first=William |last=Branigin |quote=The 103-floor Empire State Building draws |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907152537/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/gunman-opens-fire-outside-empire-state-building-is-shot-by-police/2012/08/24/af5d1bde-edf0-11e1-b0eb-dac6b50187ad_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rothstein 2011"/> See {{section link||Opening and early years}} and {{section link||Above the 102nd floor}} for a detailed explanation.}} [[Art Deco]]-style [[supertall]] skyscraper in the [[Midtown South]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]], New York City, United States. The building was designed by [[Shreve, Lamb & Harmon]] and built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from "[[Empire State]]", the [[List of U.S. state nicknames|nickname]] of New York state. The building has a roof height of {{convert|1250|ft|m}} and stands a total of {{convert|1454|ft|m|1}} tall including its [[antenna (radio)|antenna]]. The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the [[1 World Trade Center (1970–2001)|North Tower]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] was [[Construction of the World Trade Center|topped out in 1970]]; following the [[collapse of the World Trade Center|September 11 attacks]] in 2001, the Empire State Building was once more New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 by [[One World Trade Center]]. {{As of|2025}}, the building is the [[List of tallest buildings in New York City|eighth-tallest building in New York City]], the [[List of tallest buildings in the United States|tenth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States]], and the [[List of tallest buildings|59th-tallest completed skyscraper in the world]].

The site of the Empire State Building, on the west side of [[Fifth Avenue]] between West [[33rd Street (Manhattan)|33rd]] and [[34th Street (Manhattan)|34th Streets]], was developed in 1893 as the [[Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)|Waldorf–Astoria Hotel]]. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of the [[Great Depression]] and [[World War II]], its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s.

The building's [[Art Deco architecture of New York City|Art Deco architecture]], height, and [[observation deck]]s have made it a popular attraction. Around four&nbsp;million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an international [[cultural icon]]: it has been featured in more than 250&nbsp;television series and films since the film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' was released in 1933. The building's size has been used as a standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of the [[Seven Wonders of the Modern World]] by the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]]. It was ranked first on the [[American Institute of Architects]]' List of [[America's Favorite Architecture]] in 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] in 1980, and were added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1986.

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Site==
The Empire State Building is located on the west side of [[Fifth Avenue]], between [[33rd Street (Manhattan)|33rd Street]] to the south and [[34th Street (Manhattan)|34th Street]] to the north, in the [[Midtown South]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan]], New York City, United States.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=414}} Tenants enter the building through the [[Art Deco]] lobby located at 350 Fifth Avenue. Visitors to the observatories use an entrance at 20 West 34th Street; prior to August 2018, visitors entered through the Fifth Avenue lobby.<ref name="am New York 2018">{{cite web |date=August 22, 2018 |title=Empire State Building Unveils New Entrance, Lobby |url=https://www.amny.com/real-estate/empire-state-building-rehabilitation-1.20623161 |access-date=October 11, 2018 |website=am New York }}</ref> Although physically located in South Midtown,<ref>{{cite web |last=Tarquinio |first=J. Alex |title=South of Midtown Manhattan, Bargain Commercial Rents |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=September 9, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/realestate/commercial/09south.html |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023065259/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/realestate/commercial/09south.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a mixed residential and commercial area,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kravitz |first=Derek |title=Midtown South: Living Where the Action Is |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 23, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/midtown-south-living-where-the-action-is-1445594401 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=December 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208075122/https://www.wsj.com/articles/midtown-south-living-where-the-action-is-1445594401 |url-status=live }}</ref> the building is so large that it was assigned its own [[ZIP Code]], 10118;<ref name="Verrill 2016">{{cite web |last=Verrill |first=Courtney |title=14 Weird Facts That You Probably Didn't Know About the Empire State Building |website=Business Insider |date=May 1, 2016 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/weird-facts-about-the-empire-state-building-2016-4 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011159/http://www.businessinsider.com/weird-facts-about-the-empire-state-building-2016-4 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="am New York 2016">{{cite web |title=The Plane Crash of '45, More Empire State Building Secrets |work=Newsday |date=April 25, 2016 |url=https://www.amny.com/secrets-of-new-york/secrets-of-the-empire-state-building-as-it-celebrates-85-years-1.11717454 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011414/https://www.amny.com/secrets-of-new-york/secrets-of-the-empire-state-building-as-it-celebrates-85-years-1.11717454 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{as of|2012|lc=y}}, it is one of 43 buildings in New York City that have their own ZIP codes.<ref>{{cite web |title=One World Trade Center Won't Get an Exclusive Zip Code: USPS Officials |first=Jonathan |last=Sederstrom |website=Commercial Observer |date=September 18, 2012 |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2012/09/the-vanity-zip/ |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211114639/https://commercialobserver.com/2012/09/the-vanity-zip/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|name="EmpireZip"|The Empire State Building is located within the 10001 zip code area,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/Manhattan |title=Manhattan Zip Code Map |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=[[New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development]] |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107102444/https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/Manhattan |url-status=dead }}</ref> but 10118 has been assigned as the building's own zip code by the [[United States Postal Service]]<ref name="Verrill 2016"/><ref name="am New York 2016"/> since 1980.<ref name="The New York Times 1980"/>}}

The areas surrounding the Empire State Building are home to other major points of interest, including [[Macy's Herald Square|Macy's]] at [[Herald Square]] on [[Sixth Avenue]] and 34th Street,<ref name="MTA-PennStation-2015">{{Cite NYCS map|neighborhood|Penn Station }}</ref> and [[Koreatown, Manhattan|Koreatown]] on 32nd Street between [[Madison Avenue|Madison]] and Sixth avenues.<ref name=MTA-PennStation-2015/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/realestate/19livi.html |title=Living in Koreatown Exotic Flavor, Beyond Just the Food |last=Baldwin |first=Deborah |date=October 17, 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142156/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/realestate/19livi.html |url-status=live }}</ref> To the east of the Empire State Building is [[Murray Hill, Manhattan|Murray Hill]],<ref name="MTA-MurrayHill-2015">{{cite web |title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Herald Square / Murray Hill |url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/mn/M09_HeraldSq-MurrayHill_2015.pdf |website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]] |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |access-date=December 11, 2015 |year=2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724175158/http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/mn/M09_HeraldSq-MurrayHill_2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> a neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment activity.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=866}} The block directly to the northeast contains the [[B. Altman and Company Building]], which houses the [[City University of New York]]'s [[Graduate Center, CUNY|Graduate Center]].<ref>{{cite aia5|pages=266–267 }}</ref> The nearest [[New York City Subway]] stations are [[34th Street–Herald Square station|34th Street–Herald Square]], one block west, and [[33rd Street station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|33rd Street]] at [[Park Avenue]], two blocks east; there is also a [[PATH (rail system)|PATH]] station at [[33rd Street station (PATH)|33rd Street and Sixth Avenue]].<ref name="MTA-MurrayHill-2015" />

==Architecture==
The Empire State Building was designed by [[Shreve, Lamb and Harmon]] in the [[Art Deco architecture of New York City|Art Deco]] style.<ref name="AIA">{{cite AIA4|page=226 }}</ref> The Empire State Building is {{cvt|1250|ft|m|0}} tall to its 102nd floor, or {{convert|1453|ft|8+9/16|in}} including its {{convert|203|ft|m|1|adj=on}} pinnacle.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}} It was the first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall,{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=56}} though only the lowest 86 stories are usable. The first through 85th floors contain {{convert|2.158|e6ft2|m2}} of commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory.<ref name="Reynolds p. 290">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=290 }}</ref>{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=14}} The remaining 16 stories are part of the spire, which is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor; the spire does not contain any intermediate levels and is used mostly for mechanical purposes.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}} Atop the 102nd story is the {{cvt|203|ft|m|1|adj=on}} pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, and surmounted with a [[lightning rod]].{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=413–414}}

===Form===
[[File:EmpireStateBuilding20205thAvenueEntrance.jpg|thumb|left|The five-story base as seen from Fifth Avenue, with the main entrance at center. The Empire State Building sets back significantly above the base.]]

The Empire State Building has a symmetrical [[massing]] because of its large lot and relatively short base. Its [[Articulation (architecture)|articulation]] consists of three horizontal sections—a base, shaft, and [[Capital (architecture)|capital]]—similar to the components of a [[column]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 290" /> The five-story base occupies the entire lot, while the 81-story shaft above it is [[Setback (architecture)|set back]] sharply from the base.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}<ref name="The New York Times 1930a">{{Cite news |year=1930 |title=Smith Skyscraper Has a Novel Design; Setbacks of the Empire State Building Will Begin With the Sixth Story |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/01/08/94228622.pdf |access-date=December 8, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503210732/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/01/08/94228622.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}} The setback above the 5th story is {{convert|60|ft}} deep on all sides.<ref name="Reynolds p. 290" /> There are smaller setbacks on the upper stories, allowing sunlight to illuminate the interiors of the top floors while also positioning these floors away from the noisy streets below.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=157}}{{sfn|Kayden|Municipal Art Society|2000|pp=8–9}} The setbacks are located at the 21st, 25th, 30th, 72nd, 81st, and 85th stories.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=16}} The setbacks correspond to the tops of elevator shafts, allowing interior spaces to be at most {{convert|28|ft}} deep {{crossreference|(see: {{section link||Interior}})}}.<ref name="Reynolds p. 290" />

The setbacks were mandated by the [[1916 Zoning Resolution]], which was intended to allow sunlight to reach the streets as well.{{Efn|name=zoning|Per the 1916 Zoning Act, the wall of any given tower that faces a street could only rise to a certain height, proportionate to the street's width, at which point the building had to be set back by a given proportion. This system of setbacks would continue until the tower reaches a floor level in which that level's floor area was 25% that of the ground level's area. After that 25% threshold was reached, the building could rise without restriction.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}{{sfn|Kayden|Municipal Art Society|2000|p=8}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=67}}

The 1916 Zoning Act was amended in 1961 so that buildings erected thereafter could not exceed a [[floor area ratio]] that was calculated for each zoning district.{{sfn|Kayden|Municipal Art Society|2000|pp=11–12}} The maximum ratio for the Empire State Building's district is 15, unless it includes a public plaza.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/zoning/districts-tools/c6.page |title=Zoning Districts & Tools : C6 – DCP |website=www1.nyc.gov }}</ref> A [[grandfather clause]] permits preexisting structures to continue under the old rule. Therefore, the Empire State Building's floor area ratio of 25 cannot be duplicated, or even approached, by a new building in that district.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Willis |first=Carol |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/chapter/1550360 |title=Form Follows Finance: The Empire State Building |journal=Landscape of Modernity: Essays on New York City, 1900–1940 |year=1992 |editor1-last=Ward |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Zunz |editor2-first=Olivier |page=181 |access-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052820/https://muse.jhu.edu/chapter/1550360 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Normally, a building of the Empire State's dimensions would be permitted to build up to 12 stories on the Fifth Avenue side, and up to 17 stories on the 33rd Street and 34th Street sides, before it would have to utilize setbacks.<ref name="The New York Times 1930a" /> However, with the largest setback being located above the base, the tower stories could contain a uniform shape.{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=920}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=96}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}} According to architectural writer [[Robert A. M. Stern]], the building's form contrasted with the nearly contemporary, similarly designed [[500 Fifth Avenue]] eight blocks north, which had an asymmetrical massing on a smaller lot.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}

===Facade===
The Empire State Building's Art Deco design is typical of pre–World War II architecture in New York City.<ref name="AIA" /> The facade is clad in [[Indiana limestone]] panels made by the Indiana Limestone Company<ref>{{cite web |title=Oolitic's Empire Quarry a 'Source of Pride' |website=The Herald-Times |first=Derrek |last=Tipton |date=June 22, 2017 |url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2017/06/22/oolitics-empire-quarry-a-source-of-pride/46754905/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230204514/https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2017/06/22/oolitics-empire-quarry-a-source-of-pride/46754905/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and sourced from a quarry in south-central Indiana;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/10/us/limestone-center-turns-to-tourism.html |title=Limestone Center Turns to Tourism |last=Peterson |first=Iver |date=November 10, 1981 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524081323/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/10/us/limestone-center-turns-to-tourism.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the panels give the building its signature blonde color.{{sfn|Al-Kodmany|2017|p=72}} According to official fact sheets, the facade uses {{Convert|200000|ft3|m3}} of limestone and granite, ten million bricks, and {{Convert|730|ST|LT}} of aluminum and stainless steel.<ref name="ESBNYC-Facts" /> The building also contains 6,514 windows.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/empire-state-building-refaced-for-savings/ |title=Empire State Building Refaced for Savings |last=Lombardi |first=Candace |date=October 14, 2010 |publisher=CNET |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523233322/https://www.cnet.com/news/empire-state-building-refaced-for-savings/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The decorative features on the facade are largely geometric, in contrast with earlier buildings, whose decorations often were intended to represent a specific narrative.<ref name="Reynolds p. 292">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=292 }}</ref>

[[File:USA-NYC-Empire State1.JPG|thumb|A pair of sculpted concrete eagles above the Fifth Avenue entrance|left]]

The main entrance, composed of three sets of metal doors, is at the center of the facade's Fifth Avenue [[elevation (architecture)|elevation]], flanked by molded piers that are topped with eagles. Above the main entrance is a [[transom (architecture)|transom]], a triple-height transom window with geometric patterns, and the golden letters "Empire State" above the fifth-floor windows.<ref name="Reynolds p. 291">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=291 }}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}}{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=613}} There are two entrances each on 33rd and 34th streets, with modernistic, [[stainless steel]] canopies projecting from the entrances on 33rd and 34th streets there. Above the secondary entrances are triple windows, less elaborate in design than those on Fifth Avenue.<ref name="AIA" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}}{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=613}}

The storefronts on the first floor contain aluminum-framed doors and windows within a black granite cladding.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}}{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=613}} The second through fourth stories consist of windows alternating with wide stone [[Pier (architecture)|piers]] and narrower stone [[mullion]]s. The fifth story contains windows alternating with wide and narrow mullions, and is topped by a horizontal stone sill.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}}

The facade of the tower stories is split into several vertical [[bay (architecture)|bay]]s on each side, with windows projecting slightly from the limestone cladding. The bays are arranged into sets of one, two, or three windows on each floor.<ref name="Reynolds p. 291" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|pp=16–17}} The bays are separated by alternating narrow and wide piers, the inclusion of which may have been influenced by the design of the contemporary [[Daily News Building]].<ref name="Reynolds pp. 291-292">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=291–292 }}</ref> The windows in each bay are separated by vertical nickel-chrome steel [[mullion]]s and connected by horizontal aluminum [[spandrel]]s between each floor.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=16}}{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=613}} The windows are placed within stainless-steel frames, which saved money by eliminating the need to apply a stone [[Finishing (manufacturing)|finish]] around the windows. In addition, the use of aluminum spandrels obviated the need for cross-[[Bond (brick)|bonding]], which would have been required if stone had been used instead.<ref name="Reynolds p. 291" />

====Lights====
The building was originally equipped with white [[searchlight]]s at the top. They were first used in November 1932 when they lit up to signal Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in the [[1932 United States presidential election|presidential election of that year]].<ref name="Melina 2010">{{cite web |last=Melina |first=Remy |title=What Do the Empire State Building's Lights Mean? |website=Live Science |date=August 24, 2010 |url=https://www.livescience.com/11147-empire-state-building-lights.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111311/https://www.livescience.com/11147-empire-state-building-lights.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These were later swapped for four "Freedom Lights" in 1956.<ref name="Melina 2010" /> In February 1964, flood lights were added on the 72nd floor{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=353}} to illuminate the top of the building at night so that the building could be seen from the World Fair later that year.<ref name="The New York Times 1964">{{cite web |title=Top of the Empire State To Get New Floodlights |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=January 21, 1964 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/21/top-of-the-empire-state-to-get-new-floodlights.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |postscript=none |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026163227/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/21/top-of-the-empire-state-to-get-new-floodlights.html |url-status=live}}; {{cite news |title=The Empire State to Glow at Night |last=Lelyveld |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Lelyveld |date=February 23, 1964 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1964/02/23/290250742.pdf |access-date=July 10, 2010 }}</ref> The lights were shut off from November 1973 to July 1974 because of the [[1970s energy crisis|energy crisis]] at the time.<ref name="waldorf-history">{{cite web |title=Hotel History |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/about-the-waldorf/hotel-history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127101023/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/about-the-waldorf/hotel-history.html |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |access-date=May 30, 2014 |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com }}</ref> In 1976, the businessman [[Douglas Leigh]] suggested that Wien and Helmsley install 204 [[metal-halide lamp|metal-halide light]]s, which were four times as bright as the 1,000 incandescent lights they were to replace.<ref name="City Lights-1989">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FOgCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35 |title=City Lights – New York Magazine |date=May 22, 1989 |page=35 |language=en }}</ref> New red, white, and blue metal-halide lights were installed in time for the country's [[Bicentennial of the United States|bicentennial]] that July.<ref name="waldorf-history" />{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=108}} After the bicentennial, Helmsley retained the new lights due to the reduced maintenance cost, about $116 a year.<ref name="City Lights-1989" />

Since October 12, 1977, the spire has been lit in colors chosen to match seasonal events and holidays.<ref name="Reynolds p. 291" /> Organizations are allowed to make requests through the building's website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esbnyc.com/explore/tower-lights |title=Tower Lights |publisher=Empire State Building |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029111730/http://www.esbnyc.com/explore/tower-lights |url-status=live }}</ref> The building is also lit in the colors of New York-based sports teams on nights when they host games: for example, orange, blue, and white for the [[New York Knicks]]; red, white, and blue for the [[New York Rangers]].<ref>See, for example: {{cite web |title=ESB to Light up with NYCFC, Red Bulls Colors |website=am New York |date=May 20, 2016 |url=https://www.amny.com/sports/empire-state-building-to-be-lit-with-new-york-city-fc-red-bulls-colors-1.11822431 |access-date=October 26, 2017 |postscript=none |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111926/https://www.amny.com/sports/empire-state-building-to-be-lit-with-new-york-city-fc-red-bulls-colors-1.11822431 |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |last=Peters |first=Chris |title=LOOK: Empire State Building lights up blue and orange for Islanders win |publisher=[[WCBS-TV]] |date=April 25, 2016 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/look-empire-state-building-lights-up-blue-and-orange-for-islanders-win/ |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026162954/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/look-empire-state-building-lights-up-blue-and-orange-for-islanders-win/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The spire can also be lit to commemorate events including disasters, anniversaries, or deaths, as well as for celebrations such as [[NYC Pride March|Pride]] and [[Halloween]]. In 1998, the building was lit in blue after the death of singer [[Frank Sinatra]], who was nicknamed "Ol' Blue Eyes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/05/98/sinatra/94366.stm |title=Empire State Building Turns Blue as Silent Tribute |date=May 15, 1998 |website=BBC News |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802144734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/05/98/sinatra/94366.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The structure was lit in red, white, and blue for several months after the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001.<ref name="lightingSchedule">{{cite web |url=http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_lightingschedule.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010920145315/http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_lightingschedule.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2001 |title=Lighting Schedule |publisher=Empire State Building |access-date=July 10, 2010 }}</ref> On January 13, 2012, the building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of the [[NBC News|NBC]] program [[Today (U.S. TV program)|''The Today Show'']].<ref>{{cite web |title=TODAY Celebrates 60 Years! |publisher=NBC News |date=January 13, 2012 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/today/today-celebrates-60-years-45984730/ |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026110714/https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/today/today-celebrates-60-years-45984730/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After retired basketball player [[Kobe Bryant]]'s [[Death of Kobe Bryant|January 2020 death]], the building was lit in purple and gold, signifying the colors of his former team, the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Irick |first=Whitney |title=Photos: Landmarks Light Up Purple, Gold to Remember Lifelong Laker Kobe Bryant |website=NBC Los Angeles |date=January 27, 2020 |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/photos-landmarks-light-up-purple-gold-to-remember-lifelong-laker-kobe-bryant/2299102/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502234204/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/photos-landmarks-light-up-purple-gold-to-remember-lifelong-laker-kobe-bryant/2299102/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The evening after iconic actor [[James Earl Jones]] died, September 9, 2024, the building was lit up to look like Jones's iconic [[Darth Vader]] villain from "[[Star Wars]]."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Karen |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Mark Hamill, Kevin Costner Pay Tribute to Late James Earl Jones |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2024/09/10/james-earl-jones-reactions/2321725966523 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=United Press International |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910134902/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2024/09/10/james-earl-jones-reactions/2321725966523/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to lightings, the Empire State Building is able to do immersive visual projections on the building's exterior. It partnered with Netflix in May 2022 to celebrate the return of [[Stranger Things]] fourth season by projecting the Upside Down onto the Empire State Building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Netflix and Giant Spoon Turned the Empire State Building 'Upside Down' |url=https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2022/06/15/how-netflix-and-giant-spoon-turned-the-empire-state-building-upside-down |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=Marketing Brew |language=en-us |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218225753/https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2022/06/15/how-netflix-and-giant-spoon-turned-the-empire-state-building-upside-down |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, the building's four hundred [[Metal-halide lamp|metal halide]] lamps and floodlights were replaced with 1,200 [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] fixtures, increasing the available colors from nine to over 16&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Taub |first=Eric A. |title=Bathed in New Lights, Empire State Building Will Star in More Vivid Show |website=City Room |date=May 8, 2012 |url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/with-new-lights-a-more-vibrant-look-for-the-empire-state-building/ |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024043701/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/with-new-lights-a-more-vibrant-look-for-the-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The computer-controlled system allows the building to be illuminated in ways that were unable to be done previously with plastic gels.<ref name="Santora 2013">{{cite web |last=Santora |first=Marc |title=The Empire State Building, Now in 16 Million Colors |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=July 6, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/06/nyregion/an-empire-state-building-light-show-that-rivaled-the-fireworks.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709000058/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/06/nyregion/an-empire-state-building-light-show-that-rivaled-the-fireworks.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |url-access=limited |access-date=October 23, 2017 }}</ref> For instance, [[CNN]] used the top of the Empire State Building as a scoreboard during the [[2012 United States presidential election]], using red and blue lights to represent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] electoral votes respectively.<ref>{{cite news |title=Empire State Building Lights up to Broadcast Election Results |first=Charlie |last=Wells |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-york-state-building-displays-election-results-article-1.1197707 |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2012 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109190348/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-york-state-building-displays-election-results-article-1.1197707 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also, on November 26, 2012, the building had its first synchronized light show, using music from recording artist [[Alicia Keys]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Empire State Building Light Show: LED Display Synchronized To Two Alicia Keys Songs Over Manhattan |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/empire-state-building-light-show-alicia-keys-led-display-new-york-city_n_2198200.html |work=HuffPost |date=November 27, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2012 |archive-date=November 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129182415/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/empire-state-building-light-show-alicia-keys-led-display-new-york-city_n_2198200.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Artists such as Eminem and OneRepublic have been featured in later shows, including the building's annual Holiday Music-to-Lights Show.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/how-eminem-and-jimmy-kimmel-took-over-the-empire-state-building-1202982508/ |title=How Eminem and Jimmy Kimmel Took Over the Empire State Building |last1=Wagmeister |first1=Elizabeth |date=October 17, 2018 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=January 15, 2019 }}</ref> The building's owners adhere to strict standards in using the lights; for instance, they do not use the lights to play advertisements.<ref name="Santora 2013" />

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Empire State Building LED live election results Obama Romney Spire Close-up (8162616388).jpg|alt=The Empire State Building illuminated in red, white, and blue before the 2012 United States presidential election|Lights representing the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] parties as results are tabulated in the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]]
File:Empire State Building in Rainbow Colors for Gay Pride 2015 (19076876770).jpg|The Empire State Building is bathed annually in [[rainbow|rainbow-colored]] lighting during the [[NYC Pride March|Pride Month]] of June, evoking the [[Rainbow flag (LGBT)|international LGBT icon]], as seen in this 2015 image.|alt=The Empire State Building illuminated by rainbow-colored lighting at night
</gallery>

{{clear left}}

===Interior===
[[File:Empire State Building elevators 01.jpg|thumb|One of several elevator lobbies]]

According to official fact sheets, the Empire State Building weighs {{Convert|365000|ST}} and has an internal volume of {{Convert|37|e6ft3|m3}}.<ref name="ESBNYC-Facts">{{Cite web |url=https://www.esbnyc.com/sites/default/files/esb_fact_sheet_4_9_14_4.pdf |title=Empire State Building Fact Sheet |publisher=Empire State Realty |page=1 |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=November 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106223727/http://www.esbnyc.com/sites/default/files/esb_fact_sheet_4_9_14_4.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The interior required {{Convert|1172|mi|0}} of elevator cable and {{Convert|2|e6ft|m}} of electrical wires.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/manhattanskyscra00nash_0 |url-access=registration |title=Manhattan Skyscrapers |last=Nash |first=Eric |date=August 1999 |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |isbn=978-1-56898-181-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/manhattanskyscra00nash_0/page/75 75] |language=en }}</ref> It has a total floor area of {{cvt|2768591|ft2|m2|0}}, and each of the floors in the base cover {{cvt|2|acre|ha}}.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=183}} This gives the building capacity for 20,000 tenants and 15,000 visitors.{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=920}}

The [[rivet]]ed steel frame of the building was originally designed to handle all of the building's gravitational stresses and [[wind load]]s.{{sfn|Taranath|2016|p=459}} The amount of material used in the building's construction resulted in a very stiff structure when compared to other skyscrapers, with a structural stiffness of {{convert|42|psf}} versus the [[Willis Tower]]'s {{convert|33|psf}} and the [[John Hancock Center]]'s {{convert|26|psf}}.{{sfn|Taranath|2016|p=527}} A December 1930 feature in ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' estimated that a building with the Empire State's dimensions would still stand even if hit with an impact of {{convert|50|ST|LT}}.{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=920}}

Utilities are grouped in a central shaft.<ref name="The New York Times 1930a" /> On the 6th through 86th stories, the central shaft is surrounded by a main corridor on all four sides.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}} Per the final specifications of the building, the corridor is surrounded in turn by office space {{convert|28|ft|m}} deep, maximizing office space at a time before air conditioning became commonplace.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|pp=612, 614}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=95}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 290" /> Each of the floors has 210 structural columns that pass through it, which provide structural stability but limits the amount of open space on these floors.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}} The relative dearth of stone in the Empire State Building allows for more space overall, with a 1:200 stone-to-building ratio compared to a 1:50 ratio in similar buildings.{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=922}}

====Lobby====
[[File:Empire State Building lobby 20240521.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Fifth Avenue lobby]]
The original main lobby is accessed from Fifth Avenue, on the building's east side, and is the only place in the building where the design contains narrative motifs.<ref name="Reynolds p. 292" /> It contains an entrance with one set of double doors between a pair of [[revolving door]]s. At the top of each doorway is a bronze motif depicting one of three "crafts or industries" used in the building's construction—Electricity, Masonry, and Heating.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=13}} The three-story-high space runs parallel to 33rd and 34th Streets.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=15}} The lobby contains two tiers of marble: a [[wainscoting]] of darker marble, topped by lighter marble. There is a pattern of zigzagging [[terrazzo]] tiles on the lobby floor, which leads from east to west.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=15}} To the north and south are storefronts, which are flanked by tubes of dark rounded marble and topped by a vertical band of grooves set into the marble.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=15}} Until the 1960s, there was a [[Longchamps (restaurant chain)|Longchamps]] restaurant next to the lobby, with six oval murals designed by [[Winold Reiss]]; these murals were placed in storage when the Longchamps closed.<ref name="Collins 2023">{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Charlotte |title=Lost Art Deco Treasures From the Empire State Building Rediscovered |website=Architectural Digest |date=May 8, 2023 |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/lost-art-deco-treasures-from-the-empire-state-building-rediscovered |access-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510152659/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/lost-art-deco-treasures-from-the-empire-state-building-rediscovered |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kahn |first=Eve M. |date=May 7, 2023 |title=Vanished Murals From the Empire State Building Rediscovered |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/arts/design/vanished-murals-from-the-empire-state-building-rediscovered.html |access-date=May 10, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509191625/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/arts/design/vanished-murals-from-the-empire-state-building-rediscovered.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The western ends of the north and south walls include escalators to a mezzanine level.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=15}}{{Efn|name=layout-lobby}} At the west end of the lobby, behind the security desk, is an aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was originally built (without the antenna).<ref name="Lepik 2008">{{cite book |last=Lepik |first=Andres |title=Skyscrapers |publisher=Prestel |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-7913-3992-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VJJAQAAIAAJ |pages=53–54 |access-date=October 23, 2017 }}</ref> The relief, which was intended to provide a welcoming effect,{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=1}} contains an embossed outline of the building, with rays radiating from the spire and the sun behind it.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=14}} In the background is a state map of New York with the building's location marked by a "medallion" in the very southeast portion of the outline. A compass is depicted in the bottom right and a plaque to the building's major developers is on the bottom left.<ref name="Reynolds p. 293">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=293 }}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=14}} A scale model of the building was also placed south of the security desk.<ref name="Reynolds p. 293" />

[[File:Empire State Building Entrance decoration (6046008895).jpg|thumb|upright|Aluminum relief of the building]]
The plaque at the western end of the lobby is on the eastern interior wall of a one-story-tall rectangular-shaped corridor that surrounds the banks of escalators, with a similar design to the lobby.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|pages=12, 15}} The rectangular-shaped corridor actually consists of two long hallways on the northern and southern sides of the rectangle,{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=12}} as well as a shorter hallway on the eastern side and another long hallway on the western side.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|pages=12, 15}} At both ends of the northern and southern corridors, there is a bank of four low-rise elevators in between the corridors.<ref name="Reynolds p. 293" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 292" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=16}} The western side of the rectangular elevator-bank corridor extends north to the 34th Street entrance and south to the 33rd Street entrance. It borders three large storefronts and leads to escalators (originally stairs), which go both to the second floor and to the basement. Going from west to east, there are secondary entrances to 34th and 33rd Streets from the northern and southern corridors, respectively.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=15}}{{Efn|name=layout-lobby|See {{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981}}, PDF page 26, for a diagram of the lobby.}} The side entrances from 33rd and 34th Street lead to two-story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel-and-glass-enclosed bridges at the mezzanine floor.<ref name="AIA" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=15}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 293" />

Until the 1960s, an [[Art Deco]] mural, inspired by both the sky and the [[Machine Age]], was installed in the lobby ceilings.<ref name="Lepik 2008" /> Subsequent damage to these murals, designed by artist Leif Neandross, resulted in reproductions being installed. Renovations to the lobby in 2009, such as replacing the clock over the information desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby with an [[anemometer]] and installing two chandeliers intended to be part of the building when it originally opened, revived much of its original grandeur.<ref name="Barron 2009">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/nyregion/23empire.html |title=Overhead, A Lobby Is Restored to Old Glory |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |last=Barron |first=James |author-link=James Barron (journalist) |date=September 22, 2009 |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306125255/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/nyregion/23empire.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The north corridor contained eight illuminated panels created in 1963 by Roy Sparkia and Renée Nemorov, in time for the [[1964 World's Fair]], depicting the building as the [[Eighth Wonder of the World]] alongside the traditional seven.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=16}}<ref name="Bosworth 1984">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CveczaI95Q8C&pg=PA215 |title=Diane Arbus: A Biography |last=Bosworth |first=Patricia |date=1984 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=9780393326611 |language=en |page=215 }}</ref> The building's owners installed a series of paintings by the New York artist [[Kysa Johnson]] in the concourse level. Johnson later filed a federal lawsuit, in January 2014, under the [[Visual Artists Rights Act]] alleging the negligent destruction of the paintings and damage to her reputation as an artist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/artist-files-suit-over-missing-empire-state-building-paintings |title=Artist Files Suit Over Missing Empire State Building Paintings |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131182708/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/artist-files-suit-over-missing-empire-state-building-paintings/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the building's 2010 renovation, [[Denise Amses]] commissioned a work consisting of 15,000 stars and 5,000 circles, superimposed on a {{Convert|13|by|5|ft|adj=on|m}} [[Glass etching|etched-glass]] installation, in the lobby.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9404E2DC163AF930A25751C0A9679D8B63.html |title=Restored Lobby's Crowning Touch |last=Barron |first=James |date=February 13, 2011 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=November 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230818/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9404E2DC163AF930A25751C0A9679D8B63.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Elevators ====
The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators.<ref name="Navarro 2009">{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Mireya |date=April 7, 2009 |title=Empire State Building Plans Environmental Retrofit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/earth/07empire.html |access-date=October 27, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028044737/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/earth/07empire.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Its original 64 elevators, built by the [[Otis Worldwide|Otis Elevator Company]],{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=183}} in a central core and are of varying heights, with the longest of these elevators reaching from the lobby to the 80th floor.<ref name="The New York Times 1930a" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Bonnier Corporation |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8ycDAAAAMBAJ |title=Popular Science |date=April 1931 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8ycDAAAAMBAJ/page/n45 44] |publisher=Bonnier Corporation }}</ref> As originally built, there were four "express" elevators that connected the lobby, 80th floor, and several landings in between; the other 60 "local" elevators connected the landings with the floors above these intermediate landings.{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=96}} Of the 64 total elevators, 58 were for passenger use (comprising the four express elevators and 54 local elevators), and eight were for freight deliveries.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}} The elevators were designed to move at {{convert|1200|ft/min}}. At the time of the skyscraper's construction, their practical speed was limited to {{convert|700|ft/min}} per city law, but this limit was removed shortly after the building opened.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=183}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}

Additional elevators connect the 80th floor to the six floors above it, as the six extra floors were built after the original 80 stories were approved.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}}{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=921}} The elevators were mechanically operated until 2011, when they were replaced with automatic elevators during the $550&nbsp;million renovation of the building.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 16, 2011 |title=Empire State Building To Get Modernized Elevators |language=en |publisher=CBS |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/16/empire-state-building-to-get-modernized-elevators/ |access-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216091504/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/16/empire-state-building-to-get-modernized-elevators/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An additional elevator connects the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which allows visitors access to the 102nd floor observatory after having their tickets scanned. It also allows employees to access the mechanical floors located between the 87th and 101st floors.{{sfn|Taranath|2016|p=459}}

====Observation decks====
[[File:EmpireStateBuilding202080thFloorSouthEastCorner.jpg|thumb|80th floor observation deck]]
The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors contain observatories.{{sfn|Al-Kodmany|2017|p=71}}<ref name="Lepik 2008" /><ref name="CBS News 2019">{{cite web |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Empire State Building's 80th Floor Renovations Offer New Visitor Experience |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/empire-state-building-80th-floor-165-million-renovations-complete/ |access-date=January 24, 2020 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222025308/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/empire-state-building-80th-floor-165-million-renovations-complete/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The latter two observatories saw a combined average of four&nbsp;million visitors per year in 2010.<ref name="CNN 1">{{Cite news |title=Empire State Building Fast Facts |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/us/empire-state-building-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101213938/https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/us/empire-state-building-fast-facts/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bagli 2011">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/empire-state-building-observation-decks-generate-startling-profits.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/empire-state-building-observation-decks-generate-startling-profits.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |title=Empire State Building Observation Decks Generate Startling Profits |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=December 24, 2011 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 24, 2017}}{{cbignore }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |title=3.3 Million Were Expected at Trade Center Attraction; A Million Haven't Shown Up |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 28, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/nyregion/3-3-million-were-expected-at-trade-center-attraction-1-million-havent-shown-up.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/28/nyregion/3-3-million-were-expected-at-trade-center-attraction-1-million-havent-shown-up.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |access-date=October 24, 2017}}{{cbignore }}</ref> Since opening, the observatories have been more popular than similar observatories at [[30 Rockefeller Plaza]], the Chrysler Building, the first One World Trade Center, or the [[Woolworth Building]], despite being more expensive.<ref name="Bagli 2011" /> There are [[Dynamic pricing|variable charges]] to enter the observatories based on demand and time of day.<ref>{{cite web | last=Small | first=Eddie | title=Empire State Building observatory to try out surge pricing | website=Crain&#039;s New York Business | date=February 20, 2025 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/empire-state-building-owner-launch-dynamic-ticket-pricing | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Schiffman | first=Zach | title=Surge Pricing Comes to the Empire State Building | website=Curbed | date=February 21, 2025 | url=https://www.curbed.com/article/empire-state-building-dynamic-pricing-observation-deck-tickets.html | access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref> Though most tickets allow visitors to go to the 86th floor, an [[upcharge attraction|additional fee]] is charged for access to the 102nd floor. Other ticket options for visitors include scheduled access to view the sunrise from the observatory, a "premium" guided tour with VIP access, and the "AM/PM" package which allows for two visits in the same day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.esbnyc.com/tickets/index.cfm |title=ESB Tickets |publisher=Empire State Building |access-date=July 10, 2010 |archive-date=May 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512193246/https://www.esbnyc.com/tickets/index.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{multiple images
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| image1 = Empire State Building 86th floor.jpg
| image2 = EmpireStateBuilding202086thFloorExteriorNorthwestCorner.jpg
| footer = Interior and exterior observation decks at the 86th floor
}}

The 86th floor observatory contains both an enclosed viewing gallery and an open-air outdoor viewing area, allowing for it to remain open 365 days a year regardless of the weather. The 102nd floor observatory is completely enclosed and much smaller in size. The 102nd floor observatory was closed to the public from the late 1990s to 2005 due to limited viewing capacity and long lines.{{sfn|Fodor's|2010|p=154}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Mates |first=Rich |title=City That Never Sleeps Is Full of Unexpected Treasures |newspaper=The Citizens' Voice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48518102/ |date=October 12, 2003 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref> The observation decks were redesigned in mid-1979.<ref name="Mouat 1979">{{Cite news |last=Mouat |first=Lucia |date=November 28, 1979 |title=No Longer The Tallest, 'Most Famous' Building in World |page=14 |work=Olean Times-Herald |publisher=[[The Christian Science Monitor|Monitor News Service]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FOlean%2520NY%2520Times%2520Herald%2FOlean%2520NY%2520Times%2520Herald%25201979%2FOlean%2520NY%2520Times%2520Herald%25201979%2520a%2520-%25201143.pdf |access-date=October 29, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> The 102nd floor was again redesigned in a project that was completed in 2019, allowing the windows to be extended from floor to ceiling and widening the space in the observatory overall.<ref name="Wallace 2019">{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Elizabeth |date=October 11, 2019 |title=The Empire State Building's View Just Got Even Better |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/empire-state-building-observatory-new-york/index.html |access-date=November 5, 2019 |website=CNN Travel |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105180832/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/empire-state-building-observatory-new-york/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Russell 2019" /> An observatory on the 80th floor, opened in 2019, includes various exhibits as well as a mural of the skyline drawn by British artist [[Stephen Wiltshire]].<ref name="Ricciulli 2019">{{cite web |last=Ricciulli |first=Valeria |date=December 2, 2019 |title=Empire State Building Completes $165M Revamp with New Observatory |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/12/2/20991515/empire-state-building-new-observatory-redevelopment-nyc |access-date=January 24, 2020 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224040829/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/12/2/20991515/empire-state-building-new-observatory-redevelopment-nyc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CBS News 2019" /> An interactive multimedia museum, with multiple hands-on exhibitions about the building's history, was added during this project.<ref name="CBS News 2019a">{{cite web |date=October 11, 2019 |title=Exclusive Look Inside the Empire State Building's $160 Million Makeover |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/empire-state-building-massive-renovation-exclusive-look-inside-new-observatory/ |access-date=September 29, 2023 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003012727/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/empire-state-building-massive-renovation-exclusive-look-inside-new-observatory/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The design of the {{cvt|10000|ft2}} Observatory Experience was inspired by the plans and designs of the original Empire State Building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayes-Osterman |first=Cybele |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Inside the Empire State Building's New Interactive Museum, The Observatory Experience |url=https://untappedcities.com/2019/07/29/inside-the-new-empire-state-buildings-new-interactive-museum-the-observatory-experience/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Untapped New York |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110020024/https://untappedcities.com/2019/07/29/inside-the-new-empire-state-buildings-new-interactive-museum-the-observatory-experience/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to a 2010 report by [[Condé Nast Traveler|Concierge.com]], the five lines to enter the observation decks are "as legendary as the building itself". Concierge.com stated that there were five lines: the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.concierge.com/ideas/hotspots/tours/500723?page=3 |title=Ten Things Not to Do in New York |publisher=Concierge.com |access-date=October 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316041809/http://www.concierge.com/ideas/hotspots/tours/500723?page=3 |archive-date=March 16, 2010 }}</ref> In 2016, New York City's official tourism website made note of only three lines: the security check line, the ticket purchase line, and the second elevator line.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nycgo.com/tours/empire-state-building-tickets-observatory-and-optional-skip-the-line-ticket |title=Empire State Building Tickets – Observatory and Optional Skip the Line Tickets |date=May 10, 2016 |work=The Official Guide to New York City |access-date=December 11, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211160853/https://www.nycgo.com/tours/empire-state-building-tickets-observatory-and-optional-skip-the-line-ticket |url-status=live }}</ref> Following renovations completed in 2019, designed to streamline queuing and reduce wait times, guests enter from a single entrance on 34th Street, where they make their way through {{convert|10,000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} exhibits on their way up to the observatories. Guests were offered a variety of ticket packages, including a package that enables them to skip the lines throughout the duration of their stay.<ref name="Russell 2019">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/arts/design/empire-state-building-observatory.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/arts/design/empire-state-building-observatory.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |title=The Empire State Building: Renewing the Affair |last=Russell |first=James S. |date=September 19, 2019 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=November 5, 2019}}{{cbignore }}</ref> The Empire State Building garners significant revenue from ticket sales for its observation decks, making more money from ticket sales than it does from renting office space during some years.<ref name="Bagli 2011" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/no-threat-from-large-gorillas-hhq8vn2zmck |title=No Threat from Large Gorillas |first=David |last=Robertson |date=April 23, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times (London, England)|The Times]] |access-date=April 21, 2012 |quote=According to details prepared for the proposed initial public offering of Empire State Realty Trust, the skyscraper earned $62.9&nbsp;million from its observation deck in nine months last year, compared with $62.6&nbsp;million from the rental of office space. |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129121900/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/business/industries/construction-property/article3391920.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{clear}}

{{wide image|Skyline-New-York-City.jpg|2000px|A 360° panoramic view of New York City from the 86th-floor observation deck in spring 2005. East River is to the left, Hudson River to the right, south is near center.}}

====New York Skyride====
In early 1994, a [[motion simulator]] attraction was built on the 2nd floor,<ref>{{cite news |last=Trucco |first=Terry |title=Travel Advisory: Empire State Building; New York on One Floor |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=January 1, 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/01/travel/travel-advisory-empire-state-building-new-york-on-one-floor.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014939/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/01/travel/travel-advisory-empire-state-building-new-york-on-one-floor.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as a complement to the observation deck.<ref name="The New Yorker 2001">{{cite magazine |title=A Curious Flight Path |magazine=The New Yorker |date=November 5, 2001 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/11/12/a-curious-flight-path |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100134/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/11/12/a-curious-flight-path |url-status=live }}</ref> The original cinematic presentation lasted approximately 25&nbsp;minutes, while the simulation was about eight minutes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rosenberg |first1=A. |last2=Dunford |first2=M. |title=The Rough Guide to New York |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-84836-590-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781848365902 |url-access=registration |access-date=October 24, 2017 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781848365902/page/128 128] }}</ref> The ride had two incarnations. The original version, which ran from 1994 until around 2002, featured [[James Doohan]], ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]''{{'s}} [[Montgomery Scott|Scotty]], as the airplane's pilot who humorously tried to keep the flight under control during a storm.<ref>{{cite book |title=VR World |publisher=Mecklermedia |issue=v. 2–3 |year=1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REpVAAAAMAAJ |access-date=October 24, 2017 |page=32 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Michelin Tire Corporation |title=New York City |publisher=Michelin Tire Corporation |series=Michelin green guides |year=2002 |isbn=978-2-06-100408-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BaIXAQAAMAAJ |access-date=October 24, 2017 |page=82 }}</ref> After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the ride was closed.<ref name="The New Yorker 2001" /> An updated version debuted in mid-2002, featuring actor [[Kevin Bacon]] as the pilot, with the new flight also going haywire.<ref name="Fodors2012">{{cite book |title=Fodor's New York City |publisher=Fodor's Travel |series=Fodor's Travel Guides |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-8041-4370-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SobFCwAAQBAJ |access-date=October 24, 2017 |page=<!--no page numbers in this edition--> }}</ref> This new version served a more informative goal, as opposed to the old version's main purpose of entertainment, and contained details about the 9/11 attacks.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Quay |first1=Sara E. |last2=Damico |first2=Amy M. |title=September 11 in Popular Culture: A Guide |publisher=Greenwood |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-313-35505-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lx7i4YHl_NoC&pg=PA12 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |page=12 }}</ref> The simulator received mixed reviews, with assessments of the ride ranging from "great" to "satisfactory" to "corny".<ref>{{cite web |last=Kleinfield |first=N. R. |title=Feud Over Views From the Empire State Building |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 16, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/nyregion/feud-over-views-from-the-empire-state-building.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/nyregion/feud-over-views-from-the-empire-state-building.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |access-date=October 24, 2017}}{{cbignore }}</ref><!--The Skyride attraction permanently closed on December 31, 2015.-->

===Spire===
====<span class="anchor" id="Dirigible (airship) terminal"></span>Above the 102nd floor====
The final stage of the building was the installation of a hollow mast, a {{convert|158|ft|m|adj=on}} steel shaft fitted with elevators and utilities, above the 86th floor.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=186}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}} The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to serve as a [[mooring mast]] for zeppelins and other airships, although the plan was abandoned when it was determined that high winds would make that impossible.<ref name="am New York 2016" /> At the top would be a conical roof and the 102nd-floor docking station.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=186}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}} Inside, the elevators would ascend {{convert|167|ft|m}} from the 86th-floor ticket offices to a {{convert|33|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} 101st-floor{{efn|name=101st-floor}} waiting room.<ref name="Hearst Magazines 1931">{{cite book |author=Hearst Magazines |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_n-MDAAAAMBAJ |title=Popular Mechanics |date=May 1931 |publisher=Hearst Magazines |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_n-MDAAAAMBAJ/page/n173 812] }}</ref>{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}} From there, stairs would lead to the 102nd floor,{{efn|name=101st-floor}} where passengers would enter the airships.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=186}} The airships would have been moored to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=1344}}

As constructed, the mast contains four rectangular tiers topped by a cylindrical shaft with a conical pinnacle.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}} On the 102nd (formerly 101st) floor, there is a door with stairs ascending to a 103rd (formerly 102nd) floor. This top level, originally planned to be the airship docking station, now contains electrical equipment and features an exterior balcony.{{efn|name=101st-floor}}<ref name="Rothstein 2011">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/arts/design/empire-state-buildings-new-exhibition-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/arts/design/empire-state-buildings-new-exhibition-review.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |title=A View Inside King Kong's Perch |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |first=Edward |last=Rothstein |date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=May 27, 2013}}{{cbignore }}</ref>  The floor is inaccessible to the public but celebrities and dignitaries may be given permission to take pictures there.<ref name="CBS New York 2011" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Carlson |first=Jen |title=Here's The View From The Private 103rd Balcony of the Empire State Building |website=Gothamist |date=February 2, 2016 |url=http://gothamist.com/2016/02/02/esb_103rd_floor_vertigo.php |access-date=October 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105170332/http://gothamist.com/2016/02/02/esb_103rd_floor_vertigo.php |archive-date=November 5, 2017 }}</ref> A set of stairs and a ladder ascend to the spire and are used by maintenance workers.<ref name="CBS New York 2011">{{cite web |title=Inaccessible New York: Up To The 103rd Floor Of The Empire State Building |website=CBS New York |date=June 6, 2011 |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/inaccessible-new-york-up-to-the-103rd-floor-of-the-empire-state-building/ |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063137/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/inaccessible-new-york-up-to-the-103rd-floor-of-the-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The mast's 480 windows were all replaced in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Keiko |title=Raising the Glass at the Empire State Building |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 31, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/raising-the-glass-at-the-empire-state-building-1440979749 |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025074240/https://www.wsj.com/articles/raising-the-glass-at-the-empire-state-building-1440979749 |url-status=live }}</ref> The mast serves as the base of the building's broadcasting antenna.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}}

Inflatable objects have sometimes been mounted to the spire for promotional purposes. For example, a [[King Kong]] balloon was attached to the spire in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the character's introduction,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Geist |first=William E. |date=April 8, 1983 |title=King Kong, At 50, Lacks Get Up and Go |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/08/nyregion/king-kong-at-50-lacks-get-up-and-go.html |access-date=June 30, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915050302/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/08/nyregion/king-kong-at-50-lacks-get-up-and-go.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and an inflatable dragon was placed on the spire in 2024 to promote the TV series ''[[House of Dragon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Klein |first=Kristine |title=To Promote House of Dragon, The Empire State Building Displays a 270-Foot Inflatable Dragon |website=The Architect's Newspaper |date=June 18, 2024 |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2024/06/house-of-dragon-empire-state-building-displays/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630010631/https://www.archpaper.com/2024/06/house-of-dragon-empire-state-building-displays/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Broadcast stations====
[[File:EmpireStateBuilding highest point-crop.jpg|thumb|left|Antennas for broadcast stations located at the top of the building]]

Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, when [[NBC]] and [[RCA Corporation|RCA]] began transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna erected atop the mast, with two separate transmitters for the visual and audio data. They leased the 85th floor and built a laboratory there.<ref name="Haskett 1967" /> In 1934, RCA was joined by [[Edwin Howard Armstrong]] in a cooperative venture to test his FM system from the building's antenna.<ref name="Zarkin 2006" /><ref name="Lessing 1956 p. 20">{{cite book |last=Lessing |first=L. |title=Man of High Fidelity: Edwin Howard Armstrong: A Biography |publisher=Lippincott |year=1956 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rYAeAAAAIAAJ |access-date=October 23, 2017 |page=20 }}</ref> This setup, which entailed the installation of the world's first [[Frequency modulation|FM transmitter]],<ref name="Lessing 1956 p. 20" /> continued only until October of the next year due to disputes between RCA and Armstrong.<ref name="Haskett 1967" /><ref name="Zarkin 2006">{{cite book |last1=Zarkin |first1=K. |last2=Zarkin |first2=M.J. |title=The Federal Communications Commission: Front Line in the Culture and Regulation Wars |publisher=Greenwood Press |series=Understanding our government |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-313-33416-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZ33mq1mLmAC&pg=PA109 |access-date=October 23, 2017 |pages=109–110 }}</ref> Specifically, NBC wanted to install more TV equipment in the room where Armstrong's transmitter was located.<ref name="Lessing 1956 p. 20" />

After some time, the 85th floor became home to RCA's New York television operations initially as experimental station W2XBS [[Channel 1 (North American TV)|channel 1]] then, from 1941, as commercial station WNBT channel 1 (now [[WNBC]] channel 4). NBC's FM station, W2XDG, began transmitting from the antenna in 1940.<ref name="Haskett 1967" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Radio Corporation of America |title=Radio Age |publisher=Radio Corporation of America |issue=v. 3–4 |year=1943 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TaETAQAAMAAJ |language=en |access-date=October 23, 2017 |page=6 }}</ref> NBC retained exclusive use of the top of the building until 1950 when the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) ordered the exclusive deal be terminated. The FCC directive was based on consumer complaints that a common location was necessary for the seven extant New York–area television stations to transmit from so that receiving antennas would not have to be constantly adjusted. Other television broadcasters would later join RCA at the building on the 81st through 83rd floors, often along with sister FM stations.<ref name="Haskett 1967" /> Construction of a dedicated broadcast tower began on July 27, 1950,<ref name="Buffalo Courier-Express 1950">{{cite news |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Courier%2520Express%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Courier%2520Express%25201950%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Courier%2520Express%25201950%2520-%25207585.pdf |title=O'Dwyer Starts TV Tower Work |date=July 28, 1950 |work=Buffalo Courier-Express |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 27, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> with TV, and FM, transmissions starting in 1951. The {{convert|200|ft|m|sigfig=1|adj=on}} broadcast tower was completed in 1953.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}}{{sfn|Al-Kodmany|2017|p=72}}<ref name="Kinney 1953">{{cite magazine |last1=Kinney |first1=Harrison |last2=Gill |first2=Brendan |date=April 1, 1953 |title=The Talk of the Town |url=http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1953-04-11#folio=018 |magazine=The New Yorker |page=19 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213081311/http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1953-04-11#folio=018 |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1951, six broadcasters agreed to pay a combined $600,000 per year for the use of the antenna.<ref name="Jamestown Journal 1951">{{cite news |date=June 22, 1951 |title=Appraiser's 'Inside' Helped Sell Empire State Building |page=1 |work=Jamestown Journal |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FJamestown%2520NY%2520Post%2520Journal%2FJamestown%2520NY%2520Post%2520Journal%25201951%2FJamestown%2520NY%2520Post%2520Journal%25201951%2520-%25203739.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> In 1965, a separate set of FM antennae was constructed ringing the 103rd floor observation area to act as a master antenna.<ref name="Haskett 1967">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tech-notes.tv/History&Trivia/ANTENNAS%20ON%20ESB_files/ANTENNAS%20ON%20ESB.htm |title=Broadcast Antennas On The Empire State Building |journal=Broadcast Engineering Magazine |date=August 1967 |first=Thomas R. |last=Haskett |pages=24–31 }}</ref>

The placement of the stations in the Empire State Building became a major issue with the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The greater height of the Twin Towers would reflect radio waves broadcast from the Empire State Building, eventually resulting in some broadcasters relocating to the newer towers instead of suing the developer, the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]].{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=356}} Even though the nine stations who were broadcasting from the Empire State Building were leasing their broadcast space until 1984, most of these stations moved to the World Trade Center as soon as it was completed in 1971. The broadcasters obtained a court order stipulating that the Port Authority had to build a mast and transmission equipment in the [[1 World Trade Center (1970–2001)|North Tower]], as well as pay the broadcasters' leases in the Empire State Building until 1984.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=356–357}} Only a few broadcasters renewed their leases in the Empire State Building.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=357}}

The September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and the broadcast centers atop it, leaving most of the city's stations without a transmitter for ten days until the [[Armstrong Tower]] in [[Alpine, New Jersey]], was re-activated temporarily.{{sfn|Guerrero et al.|2002|p=36}} By October 2001, nearly all of the city's commercial broadcast stations (both television and FM radio) were again transmitting from the top of the Empire State Building. In a report that [[United States Congress|Congress]] commissioned about the transition from [[analog television]] to [[digital television]], it was stated that the placement of broadcast stations in the Empire State Building was considered "problematic" due to interference from nearby buildings. In comparison, the congressional report stated that the former Twin Towers had very few buildings of comparable height nearby thus signals suffered little interference.{{sfn|Guerrero et al.|2002|p=37}} In 2003, a few FM stations were relocated to the nearby [[Condé Nast Building]] to reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cianci |first=P.J. |title=High Definition Television: The Creation, Development and Implementation of HDTV Technology |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-7864-8797-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0mbsfr38GTgC&pg=PA254 |access-date=October 23, 2017 |page=254 }}</ref> Eleven [[Television broadcasting|television]] stations and twenty-two [[FM broadcasting|FM]] stations had signed 15-year leases in the building by May 2003. It was expected that a taller broadcast tower in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]], or [[Governors Island]], would be built in the meantime with the Empire State Building being used as a "backup" since signal transmissions from the building were generally of poorer quality.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |title=Broadcasters Put Antennas in Midtown |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=May 12, 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/12/nyregion/broadcasters-put-antennas-in-midtown.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229141305/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/12/nyregion/broadcasters-put-antennas-in-midtown.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the construction of [[One World Trade Center]] in the late 2000s and early 2010s, some TV stations began moving their transmitting facilities there.<ref>{{cite web |title=One World Trade Center Readies for Broadcasters |website=Radio & Television Business Report |date=October 1, 2013 |url=https://www.rbr.com/one-world-trade-center-readies-for-broadcasters/ |access-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024082352/https://www.rbr.com/one-world-trade-center-readies-for-broadcasters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{As of|2021}}, the Empire State Building is home to the following stations:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiomap.us/us-ny/new-york |title=Radio Stations in New York, NY |publisher=World Radio Map |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027025152/http://www.radiomap.us/us-ny/new-york |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Television: [[WABC-TV|WABC-7]], [[WPIX|WPIX-11]], [[WXTV-DT|WXTV-41 Paterson]], and [[WFUT-DT|WFUT-68 Newark]]
* FM: [[WINS-FM|WINS-92.3]], [[WPAT-FM|WPAT-93.1 Paterson]], [[WNYC-FM|WNYC-93.9]], [[WPLJ|WPLJ-95.5]], [[WXNY-FM|WXNY-96.3]], [[WQHT|WQHT-97.1]], [[WSKQ-FM|WSKQ-97.9]], [[WEPN-FM|WEPN-98.7]], [[WHTZ|WHTZ-100.3 Newark]], [[WCBS-FM|WCBS-101.1]], [[WFAN-FM|WFAN-101.9]], [[WNEW-FM|WNEW-FM-102.7]], [[WKTU|WKTU-103.5 Lake Success]], [[WAXQ|WAXQ-104.3]], [[WWPR-FM|WWPR-105.1]], [[WQXR-FM|WQXR-105.9 Newark]], [[WLTW|WLTW-106.7]], and [[WBLS|WBLS-107.5]]
* [[NOAA Weather Radio]] station KWO35 broadcasts at a frequency of 162.550&nbsp;MHz from the [[National Weather Service]] in [[Upton, New York]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=NWR Transmitter Propagation |url=https://www.weather.gov/nwr/sites?site=KWO35 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=weather.gov |language=EN-US |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321032942/https://www.weather.gov/nwr/sites?site=KWO35 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The site was previously owned by [[John Jacob Astor]] of the prominent [[Astor family]], which had owned the site since the mid-1820s.<ref>{{cite book |last=Craven |first=Wayne |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BrBHQfpEcAC&pg=PA35 |title=Gilded Mansions: Grand Architecture and High Society |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-393-06754-5 |page=35 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=N.P. |url=https://archive.org/details/planningmodernc04lewigoog |title=The Planning of the Modern City: A Review of the Principles Governing City Planning |publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated |year=1916 |page=[https://archive.org/details/planningmodernc04lewigoog/page/n508 400] |access-date=October 21, 2017 }}</ref> In 1893, John Jacob Astor Sr.'s grandson [[William Waldorf Astor]] opened the Waldorf Hotel on the site.{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=108}}{{sfn|McCarthy and Rutherford|1931|p=23}} Four years later, his cousin, [[John Jacob Astor IV]], opened the 16-story Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site.<ref name="waldorf-history" />{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=108}}{{sfn|McCarthy and Rutherford|1931|p=77}} The two portions of the [[Waldorf–Astoria (1893–1929)|Waldorf–Astoria]] hotel had 1,300 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in the world at the time.<ref>{{cite book |author=The American Architect and Building News Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xYlMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA3 |title=American Architect and Architecture |publisher=The American Architect and Building News Company |year=1898 |edition=Public domain |volume=59–62 |page=3 }}</ref> After the death of its founding proprietor, [[George Boldt]], in early 1918, the hotel lease was purchased by [[Thomas Coleman du Pont]].{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=117}}<ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 1918 |title=Coleman Du Pont Purchases The Waldorf–Astoria; Sale of Hotel Announced by George C. Boldt, Who Relinquishes Control Today. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/02/03/102976977.pdf |access-date=October 24, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205033101/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/02/03/102976977.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 1920s, the old Waldorf–Astoria was becoming dated and the elegant social life of New York had moved much farther north.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=118}}{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}<ref name="The New York Times 1928">{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1928 |title=Largest Office Building to Replace Waldorf-Astoria |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/23/archives/largest-office-building-to-replace-waldorfastoria-structure-will.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208192827/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/23/archives/largest-office-building-to-replace-waldorfastoria-structure-will.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, many stores had opened on Fifth Avenue north of 34th Street.<ref name="Reynolds p. 286">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=286 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 1912 |title=Catharine Street as Select Shopping Centre Recalled in Lord & Taylor's Coming Removal |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/11/03/archives/catharine-street-as-select-shopping-centre-recalled-in-lord-taylors.html |access-date=October 11, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011143425/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/11/03/archives/catharine-street-as-select-shopping-centre-recalled-in-lord-taylors.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Astor family decided to build a [[Waldorf Astoria New York|replacement hotel]] on [[Park Avenue]]{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=108}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 287">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=287 }}</ref> and sold the hotel to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928 for $14–16&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=118}} The hotel closed shortly thereafter on May 3, 1929.<ref name="waldorf-history" />

===Planning===
==== Early plans ====
[[File:Waldorf Astoria, New York City LCCN2002699564.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)|Waldorf-Astoria]] in 1901]]Bethlehem Engineering Corporation originally intended to build a 25-story office building on the Waldorf–Astoria site. The company's president, Floyd De L. Brown, paid $100,000 of the $1&nbsp;million [[down payment]] required to start construction on the building, with the promise that the difference would be paid later.{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=108}} Brown borrowed $900,000 from a bank but [[Default (finance)|defaulted]] on the loan.{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=109}}{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|pp=85–87}}

After Brown was unable to secure additional funding,{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}} the land was resold to Empire State Inc., a group of wealthy investors that included [[Louis G. Kaufman]], [[Ellis P. Earle]], [[John J. Raskob]], Coleman du Pont, and [[Pierre S. du Pont]].{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=109}}{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|pp=85–87}}<ref name="ChicagoTribune-Factbox">{{Cite news |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=Reuters |title=FACTBOX-History Of New York's Empire State Building |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/living/ct-xpm-2012-08-24-sns-rt-usa-shootingempirestate-building-20120824-story.html |access-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128122937/https://www.chicagotribune.com/living/ct-xpm-2012-08-24-sns-rt-usa-shootingempirestate-building-20120824-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The name came from the [[Empire State|state nickname]] for New York.{{sfn|Al-Kodmany|2017|p=72}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 288">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=288 }}</ref> [[Alfred E. Smith]], a former [[Governor of New York]] and U.S. presidential candidate whose [[Al Smith presidential campaign, 1928|1928 campaign]] had been managed by Raskob,<ref name="Reynolds p. 287" />{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=79}} was appointed head of the company.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=109}}{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|pp=85–87}} The group also purchased nearby land so they would have the {{Convert|2|acre|1}} needed for the base, with the combined plot measuring {{Convert|425|ft|m}} wide by {{Convert|200|ft|m}} long.<ref name="Reynolds p. 288" /><ref name="The New York Times 1929">{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1929 |title=Smith To Help Build Highest Skyscraper; Ex-Governor Heads Group That Will Put 80-Story Office Building on Waldorf Site |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/08/30/94177281.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The Empire State Inc. consortium was announced to the public in August 1929.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=80}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=90}}<ref name="The New York Times 1929" /> Concurrently, Smith announced the construction of an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence.<ref name="The New York Times 1929" />{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=610}}

Empire State Inc. contracted [[William F. Lamb]], of architectural firm [[Shreve, Lamb and Harmon]], to create the building design.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 288" />{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=89}} Lamb produced the initial building design using the firm's earlier designs for the [[Reynolds Building]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]], as the basis.{{sfn|Al-Kodmany|2017|p=72}} He had also been inspired by [[Raymond Hood]]'s design for the [[Daily News Building]], which was being constructed at the same time.<ref name="Reynolds p. 288" /> Concurrently, Lamb's partner [[Richmond Shreve]] created "bug diagrams" of the project requirements.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|pp=246–247}} The [[1916 Zoning Resolution|1916 Zoning Act]] forced Lamb to design a structure that incorporated [[setback (architecture)|setbacks]] resulting in the lower floors being larger than the upper floors.{{Efn|name=zoning}} Consequently, the building was conceived from the top down,{{sfn|Wagner|2003|p=12}} giving it a pencil-like shape.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=157}} The plans were devised within a budget of $50 million and a stipulation that the building be ready for occupancy within 18 months of the start of construction.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}} Design drawings and construction were concurrent. Steel drawings were completed in mid-January 1930, when foundations were underway.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=205}}

==== Design changes ====
[[File:Empire State Building plan.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Architectural sketch of heights and allowed building areas]]
The original plan of the building was 50 stories,{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}} but was later increased to 60 and then 80 stories.<ref name="The New York Times 1929" /> Height restrictions were placed on nearby buildings<ref name="The New York Times 1929" /> to ensure that the top fifty floors of the planned 80-story, {{convert|1000|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} building{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=129}} would have unobstructed views of the city.<ref name="The New York Times 1929" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' lauded the site's proximity to [[mass transit]], with the [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation|Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit]]'s [[34th Street–Herald Square (BMT Broadway Line)|34th Street]] station and the [[PATH (rail system)|Hudson and Manhattan Railroad]]'s [[33rd Street station (PATH)|33rd Street]] terminal one block away, as well as [[Pennsylvania Station (1910–1963)|Penn Station]] two blocks away and [[Grand Central Terminal]] nine blocks away at its closest. It also praised the {{Convert|3000000|ft2|m2}} of proposed floor space near "one of the busiest sections in the world".<ref name="The New York Times 1929" /> The Empire State Building was to be a typical office building, but Raskob intended to build it "better and in a bigger way", according to architectural writer Donald J. Reynolds.<ref name="Reynolds p. 287" />

While plans for the Empire State Building were being finalized, an intense competition in New York for the title of "[[List of tallest buildings in the world|world's tallest building]]" was underway. [[40 Wall Street]] (then the Bank of Manhattan Building) and the [[Chrysler Building]] in Manhattan both vied for this distinction and were already under construction when work began on the Empire State Building.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}} The "Race into the Sky", as popular media called it at the time, was representative of the country's optimism in the 1920s, fueled by the building boom in major cities.{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|pp=388–389}} The race was defined by at least five other proposals, although only the Empire State Building would survive the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929]].{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}{{efn|These proposals included the 100-story [[Metropolitan Life North Building]]; a {{convert|1050|ft|adj=on}} tower built by [[Abraham E. Lefcourt]] at Broadway and 49th Street; a 100-story tower developed by the [[Fred F. French]] Company on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th streets; an 85-story tower to be developed on the site of the Belmont Hotel near Grand Central Terminal; and the Noyes-Schulte Company's proposed tower on Broadway between Duane and Worth streets. Only one of these projects was even partially completed: the base of the Metropolitan Life North Building.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|pp=610, 612}}}} The 40 Wall Street tower was revised, in April 1929, from {{convert|840|ft|m}} to {{convert|925|ft|m}} making it the world's tallest.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=130}} The Chrysler Building added its {{convert|185|ft|m|adj=on}} steel tip to its roof in October 1929, thus bringing it to a height of {{convert|1046|ft|m}} and greatly exceeding the height of 40 Wall Street.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=14}} The Chrysler Building's developer, [[Walter Chrysler]], realized that his tower's height would exceed the Empire State Building's as well, having instructed his architect, [[William Van Alen]], to change the Chrysler's original roof from a stubby [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] dome to a narrow steel spire.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=130}} Raskob, wishing to have the Empire State Building be the world's tallest, reviewed the plans and had five floors added as well as a spire; however, the new floors would need to be set back because of projected wind pressure on the extension.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=131}} On November 18, 1929, Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, adding {{convert|75|ft|m}} to the width of the proposed office building's site.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=230}}<ref>{{cite news |date=November 19, 1929 |title=Enlarges Site For 1,000-Foot Building; Empire State Adds 75 Feet in 33d Street to the Waldorf Hotel Plot. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/11/19/107107719.pdf |access-date=October 24, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102004515/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/11/19/107107719.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Two days later, Smith announced the updated plans for the skyscraper. The plans included an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof at a height of {{convert|1050|ft|m}}, higher than the Chrysler's 71st-floor observation deck.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=131}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=100}}

The 1,050-foot Empire State Building would only be {{convert|4|ft|m}} taller than the Chrysler Building,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=131}}{{sfn|Goldman|1980|pp=31–32}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|pp=98–99}} and Raskob was afraid that Chrysler might try to "pull a trick like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute."{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=235}}{{sfn|Goldman|1980|pp=31–32}} The plans were revised one last time in December 1929, to include a 16-story, {{convert|200|ft|adj=on}} metal "crown" and an additional {{convert|222|ft|m|adj=on}} mooring mast intended for [[Airship|dirigibles]]. The roof height was now {{convert|1250|ft|m}}, making it the tallest building in the world by far, even without the antenna.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=247}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=185}} The addition of the dirigible station meant that another floor, the 86th, would have to be built below the crown;{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=185}} however, unlike the Chrysler's spire, the Empire State's mast would serve a practical purpose.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=235}} A revised plan was announced to the public in late December 1929, just before the start of construction.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}<ref name="The New York Times 1928" /> The final plan was sketched within two hours, the night before the plan was supposed to be presented to the site's owners in January 1930.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}} ''The New York Times'' reported that the spire was facing some "technical problems", but they were "no greater than might be expected under such a novel plan."<ref name="The New York Times 1930a" /> By this time the blueprints for the building had gone through up to fifteen versions before they were approved.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}<ref name="Dupre 2013">{{cite book |last=Dupre |first=Judith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xcLwAAAAQBAJ |title=Skyscrapers: A History of the World's Most Extraordinary Buildings |publisher=Hachette Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-57912-942-2 |pages=38–39 |access-date=October 23, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Bartlett 1976">{{cite news |last=Bartlett |first=Kay |date=March 14, 1976 |title=Empire State Building Challenged |page=9E |work=Utica Observer |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewpapers%2520Disk2%2FUtica%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Observer%2FUtica%2520NY%2520Observer%25201976.pdf%2FUtica%2520NY%2520Observer%25201976%2520-%25203040.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> Lamb described the other specifications he was given for the final, approved plan:

{{Blockquote|text=The program was short enough—a fixed budget, no space more than 28 feet from window to corridor, as many stories of such space as possible, an exterior of limestone, and completion date of [May 1], 1931, which meant a year and six months from the beginning of sketches.{{sfn|Willis|1995|p=95}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=81}}}}

=== Construction ===
The contractors were [[Starrett Brothers and Eken]], which were composed of [[Paul Starrett|Paul]] and [[William A. Starrett]] and [[Andrew J. Eken]].{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=90}} The project was financed primarily by Raskob and Pierre du Pont,{{sfn|Flowers|2001|p=17}} while [[James Farley]]'s General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}} [[John W. Bowser]] was the construction superintendent of the project,{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=46}} and the structural engineer of the building was Homer G. Balcom.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=89}}<ref>{{cite news |date=July 5, 1938 |title=Homer G. Balcom, Engineer, Is Dead |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1938/07/05/101020546.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2011 }}</ref> The tight completion schedule necessitated the commencement of construction even though the design had yet to be finalized.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=84}}

==== Hotel demolition ====
Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria began on October 1, 1929.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1929 |title=Razing Of Waldorf Started By Smith; Ceremony on Roof Marks the Beginning of Demolition of Historic Hotel |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/10/02/94184775.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Stripping the building down was an arduous process, as the hotel had been constructed using more rigid material than earlier buildings had been. Furthermore, the old hotel's granite, wood chips, and "'precious' metals such as lead, brass, and zinc" were not in high demand, resulting in issues with disposal.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=198–199}} Most of the wood was deposited into a woodpile on nearby 30th Street or was burned in a swamp elsewhere. Much of the other materials that made up the old hotel, including the granite and bronze, were dumped into the Atlantic Ocean near [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]], New Jersey.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=200}}{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=111}}

By the time the hotel's demolition started, Raskob had secured the required funding for the construction of the building.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=268}} The plan was to start construction later that year but, on October 24, the [[New York Stock Exchange]] experienced the major and sudden [[Wall Street Crash of 1929|Wall Street Crash]], marking the beginning of the decade-long [[Great Depression]]. Despite the economic downturn, Raskob refused to cancel the project because of the progress that had been made up to that point.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=80}} Neither Raskob, who had ceased speculation in the stock market the previous year, nor Smith, who had no stock investments, suffered financially in the crash.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=268}} However, most of the investors were affected and as a result, in December 1929, Empire State Inc. obtained a $27.5&nbsp;million loan from [[MetLife|Metropolitan Life Insurance Company]] so construction could begin.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1929 |title=Approves $27,500,000 For Smith Project; Metropolitan Life Grants Loan to the Empire State Building Company. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/12/14/92028848.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The stock market crash resulted in no demand for new office space; Raskob and Smith nonetheless started construction,{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|pp=394–395}} as canceling the project would have resulted in greater losses for the investors.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=80}}

==== Steel structure ====
[[File:Old timer structural worker2.jpg|thumb|A worker bolts beams in 1930 during construction; the [[Chrysler Building]] can be seen in the background.]]

A structural steel contract was awarded on January 12, 1930,<ref>{{cite news |date=January 12, 1930 |title=Steel Contract Let; Empire State Building to Require Total of 50,000 Tons. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/01/12/97787759.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> with excavation of the site beginning ten days later on January 22,{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=85}} before the old hotel had been completely demolished.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=203}} Two twelve-hour shifts, consisting of 300 men each, worked continuously to dig the {{convert|55|ft|m|adj=on}} deep foundation.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=85}} Small pier holes were sunk into the ground to house the concrete footings that would support the steelwork.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=205}} Excavation was nearly complete by early March,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 6, 1930 |title=Excavating Finished For Smith Building; Steel Construction on Empire State Structure Here Will Begin on March 15. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/03/06/118367296.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> and construction on the building itself started on March 17,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=207}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}} with the builders placing the first steel columns on the completed footings before the rest of the footings had been finished.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=206}} Around this time, Lamb held a press conference on the building plans. He described the reflective steel panels parallel to the windows, the large-block [[Indiana limestone]] facade that was slightly more expensive than smaller bricks, and the building's vertical lines.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=247}} Four colossal columns, intended for installation in the center of the building site, were delivered; they would support a combined {{convert|10000000|lb|kg}} when the building was finished.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=248}}

The structural steel was pre-ordered and [[prefabrication|pre-fabricated]] in anticipation of a revision to the city's building code that would have allowed the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry {{convert|18000|psi|MPa}}, up from {{convert|16000|psi|MPa}}, thus reducing the amount of steel needed for the building. Although the 18,000-psi regulation had been safely enacted in other cities, Mayor [[Jimmy Walker]] did not sign the new codes into law until March 26, 1930, just before construction was due to commence.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=207}}<ref>{{cite news |date=March 26, 1930 |title=Standards For Steel Eased In New City Law; Bill Signed by Walker Allows 18,000-Pound Stress to the Square Inch. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/03/26/113333006.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The first steel framework was installed on April 1, 1930.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 1930 |title=Start Empire State Building Frame. |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/04/01/96083643.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> From there, construction proceeded at a rapid pace; during one stretch of 10 working days, the builders erected fourteen floors.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=204}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}} This was made possible through precise coordination of the building's planning, as well as the [[mass production]] of common materials such as windows and [[spandrel]]s.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=204–205}} On one occasion, when a supplier could not provide timely delivery of dark Hauteville marble, Starrett switched to using Rose Famosa marble from a German quarry that was purchased specifically to provide the project with sufficient marble.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=205}}

The scale of the project was massive, with trucks carrying "16,000 partition tiles, 5,000 bags of cement, {{Convert|450|yd3|m3|disp=sqbr}} of sand and 300 bags of lime" arriving at the construction site every day.<ref name="Poore 1930">{{Cite news |last=Poore |first=C.G. |date=July 27, 1930 |title=Greatest Skyscraper Rises On A Clockwork Schedule; The Empire State Building Soars Upward, As a Modern Army Daily, Defeats Time, Far Above the Throngs on Fifth Avenue |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/07/27/102140403.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> There were also cafes and concession stands on five of the incomplete floors so workers did not have to descend to the ground level to eat lunch.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=222}} Temporary water taps were installed so workers did not waste time buying water bottles from the ground level.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=223}} Carts running on a small railway system transported materials from the basement storage{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}} to elevators that brought the carts to the desired floors where they would then be distributed throughout that level using another set of tracks.<ref name="Poore 1930" />{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=922}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=222}} The {{convert|57480|ST|LT}} of steel ordered for the project was the largest-ever single order of steel at the time, comprising more steel than was ordered for the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street combined.{{sfn|Bascomb|2004|p=246}}{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|p=396}} According to historian [[John Tauranac]], building materials were sourced from numerous, and distant, sources with "limestone from Indiana, steel girders from Pittsburgh, cement and mortar from upper New York State, marble from Italy, France, and England, wood from northern and Pacific Coast forests, [and] hardware from New England."{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=204}} The facade, too, used a variety of material—most prominently Indiana limestone but also [[architectural terracotta]], brick,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=149}} and [[black granite]] from Sweden.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Morales Demarco |first1=Manuela |last2=Oyhantçabal |first2=Pedro |last3=Stein |first3=Karl-Jochen |last4=Siegesmund |first4=Siegfried |title=Black Dimensional Stones: Geology, Technical Properties and Deposit Characterization of the Dolerites from Uruguay |journal=Environmental Earth Sciences |volume=63 |issue=7–8 |year=2011 |issn=1866-6280 |doi=10.1007/s12665-010-0827-5 |doi-access=free |pages=1879–1909 |bibcode=2011EES....63.1879M }}</ref>

By June 20, the skyscraper's supporting [[steel frame|steel structure]] had risen to the 26th floor, and by July 27, half of the steel structure had been completed.<ref name="Poore 1930" /> Starrett Bros. and Eken endeavored to build one floor a day in order to speed up construction, achieving a pace of four and a half stories per week;{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=212}}<ref name="CNN 1" /> prior to this, the fastest pace of construction for a building of similar height had been three and a half stories per week.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=212}} While construction progressed, the final designs for the floors were being designed from the ground up (as opposed to the general design, which had been from the roof down). Some of the levels were still undergoing final approval, with several orders placed within an hour of a plan being finalized.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=212}} On September 10, as steelwork was nearing completion, Smith laid the building's [[cornerstone]] during a ceremony attended by thousands. The stone contained a box with contemporary artifacts including the previous day's ''New York Times'', a U.S. currency set containing all denominations of notes and coins minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in construction.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 1930 |title=Smith Lays Stone For Tallest Tower; 5,000 Witness Ceremony as Former Governor Wields Trowel at Empire State Building |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/09/10/118190517.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref>{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=213}} The steel structure was topped out at {{convert|1048|ft|m}} on September 19, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of construction.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=164}} Workers raised a flag atop the 86th floor to signify this milestone.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=212}}<ref name="The New York Times 1930">{{cite news |date=September 20, 1930 |title=Workers Raise Flag 1,048 Feet Above Fifth Av. As Steel Frame of Smith Building Is Finished |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/09/20/102164159.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref>

==== Completion and scale ====
[[File:Zeppelin bij Empire State Building in aanbouw - Zeppelin near the Empire State Building under construction (6943970242).jpg|thumb|During construction in October 1930; the [[USS Los Angeles (ZR-3)|USS ''Los Angeles'']], [[ZMC-2]] and a [[J-class blimp]] seen overhead]]
Work on the building's interior and crowning mast commenced after the topping out.<ref name="The New York Times 1930" /> The mooring mast topped out on November 21, two months after the steelwork had been completed.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=213}}<ref>{{cite news |date=November 22, 1930 |title=Empire State Tower Mast Up; Steel Workers Raise Flag |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/11/22/102190133.pdf |access-date=October 28, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Meanwhile, work on the walls and interior was progressing at a quick pace, with exterior walls built up to the 75th floor by the time steelwork had been built to the 95th floor.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=214}} The majority of the facade was already finished by the middle of November.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}} Because of the building's height, it was deemed infeasible to have many elevators or large elevator cabins, so the builders contracted with the [[Otis Elevator Company]] to make 66 cars that could speed at {{convert|1200|ft/min}}, which represented the largest-ever elevator order at the time.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=215}}

In addition to the time constraint builders had, there were also space limitations because construction materials had to be delivered quickly, and trucks needed to drop off these materials without congesting traffic. This was solved by creating a temporary driveway for the trucks between 33rd and 34th Streets, and then storing the materials in the building's first floor and basements. [[Concrete mixer]]s, brick hoppers, and stone hoists inside the building ensured that materials would be able to ascend quickly and without endangering or inconveniencing the public.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=214}} At one point, over 200 trucks made material deliveries at the building site every day.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}} A series of relay and erection [[derrick]]s, placed on platforms erected near the building, lifted the steel from the trucks below and installed the beams at the appropriate locations.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=208}} The Empire State Building was structurally completed on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule and 410&nbsp;days after construction commenced.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}} Al Smith shot the final rivet, which was made of solid gold.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=213–214}}

[[File:Icarus, Empire State Building MET DP106525.jpg|thumb|alt=A photograph of a cable worker, taken by Lewis Hine as part of his project to document the Empire State Building's construction|Photograph of a cable worker taken by [[Lewis Hine]]]]

The project involved more than 3,500 workers at its peak,{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}} including 3,439 on a single day, August 14, 1930.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|pp=130–133}} Many of the workers were Irish and Italian immigrants,{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=204}} with a sizable minority of [[Mohawk skywalkers|Mohawk]] [[ironworker]]s from the [[Kahnawake]] reserve near [[Montreal]].{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=204}}{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|pp=390–391}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Weitzman |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mEIGAwAAQBAJ |title=Skywalkers: Mohawk Ironworkers Build the City |publisher=Roaring Brook Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4668-6981-3 |pages=85, 87–88 |access-date=October 23, 2017 }}</ref> According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction,{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|p=398}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=221}} although the ''New York Daily News'' gave reports of 14 deaths{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=86}} and a headline in the socialist magazine ''[[The New Masses]]'' spread unfounded rumors of up to 42 deaths.{{sfn|Flowers|2001|p=72}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=221}} The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|40,948,900|1931}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}),{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}} including demolition of the Waldorf–Astoria. This was lower than the $60&nbsp;million budgeted for construction.<ref name="Sinclair, M. 1998">{{cite book |author=Fodor's |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SsovU3y-zUYC |title=Exploring New York City |last2=Sinclair |first2=M. |publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-679-03559-6 |series=Fodor's Exploring Guides |page=101 |access-date=October 25, 2017 }}</ref>

[[Lewis Hine]] captured many photographs of the construction, documenting not only the work itself but also providing insight into the daily life of workers in that era.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=85}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Lewis Wickes Hine: The Construction of the Empire State Building, 1930–31 (New York Public Library Photography Collection) |url=http://catalog.nypl.org/iii/encore/record/C%7CRb11970057%7CSLewis+Wickes+Hine%7CP0%2C6%7COrightresult?lang=eng&suite=pearl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221183839/http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/art/photo/hinex/empire/empire.html |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |publisher=New York Public Library }}</ref>{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=283}} Hine's images were used extensively by the media to publish daily press releases.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=283–284}} According to the writer [[Jim Rasenberger]], Hine "climbed out onto the steel with the ironworkers and dangled from a derrick cable hundreds of feet above the city to capture, as no one ever had before (or has since), the dizzy work of building skyscrapers". In Rasenberger's words, Hine turned what might have been an assignment of "corporate flak" into "exhilarating art".{{sfn|Rasenberger|2009|pp=398–399}} These images were later organized into their own collection.<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144" /> Onlookers were enraptured by the sheer height at which the steelworkers operated. ''New York'' magazine wrote of the steelworkers: "Like little spiders they toiled, spinning a fabric of steel against the sky".{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=208}}

===Opening and early years===
[[File:NARA Empire State Building.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Aerial view of the Empire State Building in 1932|The Empire State Building in 1932. The building's antenna was installed 21 years later, in 1953.]]
The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931, forty-five days ahead of its projected opening date, and eighteen months from the start of construction.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=613}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=413}}{{sfn|Willis|1995|pp=100–101}} The opening was marked with an event featuring United States President [[Herbert Hoover]], who turned on the building's lights with the ceremonial button push from Washington, D.C.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=87}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=227–228}}<ref name="The New York Times 1931">{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1931 |title=Empire State Tower, Tallest In World, Is Opened By Hoover; The Highest Structure Raised By The Hand Of Man |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/05/02/102231255.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony, and following luncheon, at the 86th floor including [[Jimmy Walker]], Governor [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], and [[Al Smith]].<ref name="The New York Times 1931" /> An account from that day stated that the view from the luncheon was obscured by a fog, with other landmarks such as the [[Statue of Liberty]] being "lost in the mist" enveloping New York City.<ref name="Cortland Standard 1931">{{cite news |date=May 2, 1931 |title=Empire State Building Open |page=1 |work=Cortland Standard |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%25201931%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%25201931%2520-%25201904.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> The Empire State Building officially opened the next day.<ref name="Cortland Standard 1931" />{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=46}} Advertisements for the building's observatories were placed in local newspapers, while nearby hotels also capitalized on the events by releasing advertisements that lauded their proximity to the newly opened building.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=231}}

According to ''The New York Times'', builders and real estate speculators predicted that the {{convert|1250|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} Empire State Building would be the world's tallest building "for many years", thus ending the great New York City skyscraper rivalry. At the time, most engineers agreed that it would be difficult to build a building taller than {{convert|1200|ft}}, even with the hardy Manhattan [[bedrock]] as a foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1931 |title=Rivalry For Height Is Seen As Ended |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/05/02/102231338.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Technically, it was believed possible to build a tower of up to {{Convert|2000|ft|m|sigfig=1}}, but it was deemed uneconomical to do so, especially during the Great Depression.{{sfn|Popular Mechanics|December 1930|p=922}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1929 |title=75-Story Buildings Found Economical |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/09/22/91937350.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> As the tallest building in the world, at that time, and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building became an icon of the city and, ultimately, of the nation.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=56}}

In 1932, the Fifth Avenue Association gave the building its 1931 "gold medal" for architectural excellence, signifying that the Empire State had been the best-designed building on Fifth Avenue to open in 1931.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1932 |title=Empire Tower Wins 1931 Fifth Av. Prize; Association Gives Its Medal and Diploma for Building's Architectural Excellence |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/02/24/105785983.pdf |access-date=October 25, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> A year later, on March 2, 1933, the movie ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' was released. The movie, which depicted a large [[stop motion]] ape named [[King Kong|Kong]] climbing the Empire State Building, made the still-new building into a cinematic icon.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=25}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=72}}

==== Tenants and tourism ====
At the beginning of 1931, Fifth Avenue was experiencing high demand for storefront space, with only 12 of 224 stores being unoccupied. The Empire State Building, along with 500 Fifth Avenue and [[608 Fifth Avenue]], were expected to add a combined 11 stores.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 8, 1931 |title=Few Shops Vacant on Fifth Avenue; Survey Discloses Only Twelve Stores Available in the Business Blocks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/02/08/archives/few-shops-vacant-on-fifth-avenue-survey-discloses-only-twelve.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315174142/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/02/08/archives/few-shops-vacant-on-fifth-avenue-survey-discloses-only-twelve.html |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dailey |first=John A. |date=February 8, 1931 |title=Fifth Avenue Still Leading Shopping Center: Few Stores Are Available North of Forty-Second St., Recent Survey Indicates $3,750 Foot Top Rental Shoe Healers Predominate, There Being 28 Such Shops |page=E1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1114167981}} }}</ref> The office space was less successful, as the Empire State Building's opening had coincided with the [[Great Depression in the United States]].<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144" /> In the first year, only 23&nbsp;percent of the available space was rented,{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=48}}{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=273}} as compared to the early 1920s, where the average building would be 52&nbsp;percent occupied upon opening and 90&nbsp;percent occupied within five years.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=271}} The lack of renters led New Yorkers to deride the building as the "Empty State Building"<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144" /><ref>See: {{Unbulleted list citebundle
| {{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}}
| {{harvnb|ps=.|Willis|1995|p=90}}
| {{harvnb|ps=.|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=48}}
| {{cite book |last=Schleier |first=Merrill |title=The skyscraper in American art, 1890–1931 |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=1990 |isbn=0-306-80385-2 |page=120 |oclc=20671553}}
| {{cite news |last=Smith |first=Adam |date=August 18, 2008 |title=A Renters' Market in London |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1833243,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419214305/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1833243,00.html |archive-date=April 19, 2010}} }}</ref> or "Smith's Folly".{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}}

The earliest tenants in the Empire State Building were large companies, banks, and garment industries.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=17}} [[Jack Brod]], one of the building's longest resident tenants,<ref name="Winters 1994">{{cite news |last=Winters |first=Patricia |date=July 17, 1994 |title=To Oldest Tenant, Empire State A Jewel |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/07/17/to-oldest-tenant-empire-state-a-jewel/ |access-date=October 31, 2017 |via=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921101224/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/07/17/to-oldest-tenant-empire-state-a-jewel/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ramirez 1996">{{cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Anthony |date=June 30, 1996 |title=Neighborhood Report: Midtown; A Fixture at the Empire State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/30/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-fixture-at-the-empire-state.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107062115/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/30/nyregion/neighborhood-report-midtown-a-fixture-at-the-empire-state.html |url-status=live }}</ref> co-established the Empire Diamond Corporation with his father in the building in mid-1931<ref name="Martin 2008">{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=January 13, 2008 |title=Jack Brod, Early Tenant of Skyscraper, Dies at 98 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/nyregion/13brod.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205171028/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/nyregion/13brod.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and rented space in the building until he died in 2008.<ref name="Martin 2008" /> Brod recalled that there were only about 20 tenants at the time of opening, including him,<ref name="Ramirez 1996" /> and that Al Smith was the only real tenant in the space above his seventh-floor offices.<ref name="Winters 1994" /> Generally, during the early 1930s, it was rare for more than a single office space to be rented in the building, despite Smith's and Raskob's aggressive marketing efforts in the newspapers and to anyone they knew.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=273–274, 276, 279–280}} The building's lights were continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces, to give the impression of occupancy. This was exacerbated by competition from [[Rockefeller Center]]{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=48}} as well as from buildings on [[42nd Street (Manhattan)|42nd Street]], which, when combined with the Empire State Building, resulted in surplus of office space in a slow market during the 1930s.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=311}}

Aggressive marketing efforts served to reinforce the Empire State Building's status as the world's tallest.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=286–289}} The observatory was advertised in local newspapers as well as on railroad tickets.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=290–291}} The building became a popular tourist attraction, with one million people each paying one dollar to ride elevators to the observation decks in 1931.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1326}} In its first year of operation, the observation deck made approximately $2&nbsp;million in revenue, as much as its owners made in rent that year.{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=48}}<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144" /> By 1936, the observation deck was crowded on a daily basis, with food and drink available for purchase at the top,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=291}} and by 1944 the building had received its five-millionth visitor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1944 |title=British Flier, On Wedding Trip, Gets Bond As 5,000,000th Empire State Tower Visitor |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1944/09/09/88609404.pdf |access-date=October 24, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> In 1931, [[NBC]] took up tenancy, leasing space on the 85th floor for radio broadcasts.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=294–295}}<ref name="Haskett 1967" /> From the outset the building was in debt, losing $1&nbsp;million per year by 1935. Real estate developer [[Seymour Durst]] recalled that the building was so underused in 1936 that there was no elevator service above the 45th floor, as the building above the 41st floor was empty except for the NBC offices and the Raskob/Du Pont offices on the 81st floor.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=295}}

==== Other events ====
Per the original plans, the Empire State Building's [[#Above the 102nd floor|spire]] was intended to be an [[airship]] docking station. Raskob and Smith had proposed dirigible ticketing offices and passenger waiting rooms on the 86th floor, while the airships themselves would be tied to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=1344}} An elevator would ferry passengers from the 86th to the 101st floor{{efn|name=101st-floor|The 101st floor was later renamed the 102nd floor and is 101 floors above ground. The former 102nd floor, now the 103rd floor, is now a balcony that is off-limits to the public, and is 102 floors above ground.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=237}}}} after they had checked in on the 86th floor,<ref name="Hearst Magazines 1931" /> after which passengers would have climbed steep ladders to board the airship.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}} The idea was impractical and dangerous due to powerful updrafts caused by the building itself,{{sfn|Goldman|1980|p=44}} the wind currents across Manhattan,{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}} and the spires of nearby skyscrapers.<ref name="smithsonian2000">{{cite magazine |last=Reingold |first=Lester A. |date=July 2000 |title=Airships and the Empire State Building—Fact and Fiction |journal=Air & Space/Smithsonian }}</ref> Even if the airship could successfully navigate all these obstacles, its crew would have to jettison some [[ballast]] by releasing water onto the streets below in order to maintain stability, and then tie the craft's nose to the spire with no mooring lines securing the tail end of the craft.<ref name="Rothstein 2011" />{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}}<ref name="smithsonian2000" /> On September 15, 1931, a small commercial [[United States Navy]] airship circled 25 times in {{convert|45|mph|0|adj=on}} winds.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 15, 1931 |title=Throng Strains Necks as Blimp Tries to Kiss Empire State Mast |page=3 |work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-1931-blimp-makes-contact/4164203/ |access-date=October 26, 2017 |via=[[Brooklyn Public Library]]; [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=November 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251101182450/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-1931-blimp-makes-contact/4164203/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The airship then attempted to dock at the mast, but its ballast spilled and the craft was rocked by unpredictable [[eddy (fluid dynamics)|eddies]].<ref name="Daily Sentinel 1931">{{cite news |date=September 15, 1931 |title=Blimp Moored to Tower of Empire State Building |page=1 |work=Daily Sentinel |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FRome%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Sentinel%2FRome%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Sentinel%25201931%2FRome%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Sentinel%25201931%2520-%25203298.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 16, 1931 |title=Moors to Empire State; Small Dirigible Makes Brief Contact While Traffic Is Jammed Below |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/09/16/118424702.pdf |access-date=October 24, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The near-disaster scuttled plans to turn the building's spire into an airship terminal, although one blimp did manage to make a single newspaper delivery afterward.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=82}}

On July 28, 1945, a [[North American B-25 Mitchell]] bomber [[1945 Empire State Building B-25 crash|crashed]] into the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=413–414}} One engine completely penetrated the building and landed in a neighboring block, while the other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. Fourteen people were killed in the incident,{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=86}}<ref name="Bartlett 1976" /> but the building escaped severe damage and was reopened two days later.{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=86}}<ref name="Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1945">{{cite news |date=July 30, 1945 |title=Army Pushes Bomber Crash Investigation |page=1 |work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-army-pushes-bomber-crash/184116358/ |access-date=October 26, 2017 |via=[[Brooklyn Public Library]]; [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=November 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251101183105/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-army-pushes-bomber-crash/184116358/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Profitability===
[[File:Looking Up at Empire State Building.JPG|thumb|A series of [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]] causes the building to taper with height.]]By the 1940s, the Empire State Building was 98 percent occupied.<ref name="Reynolds p. 293" /> The structure [[Break-even (economics)|broke even]] for the first time in the 1950s.<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144" />{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=332}} At the time, mass transit options in the building's vicinity were limited compared to the present day. Despite this challenge, the Empire State Building began to attract renters due to its reputation.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=1188}} A {{convert|222|ft|m|adj=on}} [[radio antenna]] was erected on top of the towers starting in 1950,<ref name="Buffalo Courier-Express 1950" /> allowing the area's television stations to be broadcast from the building.<ref name="Kinney 1953" />

Despite the turnaround in the building's fortunes, Raskob listed it for sale in 1951,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1951 |title=Empire State Tower Reported Near Sale |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/12/18/archives/empire-state-tower-reported-near-sale.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100457/http://www.nytimes.com/1951/12/18/archives/empire-state-tower-reported-near-sale.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with a minimum asking price of $50&nbsp;million.<ref name="Jamestown Journal 1951" /> The property was purchased by business partners [[Roger L. Stevens]], [[Henry Crown]], Alfred R. Glancy and [[Ben Tobin]].<ref name="Bagli 2013">{{cite web |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=April 28, 2013 |title=Empire State Building Has a Tangled History |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/business/empire-state-building-has-a-tangled-history.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/business/empire-state-building-has-a-tangled-history.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=September 21, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Saxon |first=Wolfgang |date=June 16, 1996 |title=Ben Tobin, 92, Investor in Hotels And in Real Estate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/16/us/ben-tobin-92-investor-in-hotels-and-in-real-estate.html |access-date=January 16, 2019 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126112516/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/16/us/ben-tobin-92-investor-in-hotels-and-in-real-estate.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nitkin |first=David |date=June 9, 1996 |title=Ben Tobin, Bought Or Built Notable Broward Buildings |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-06-09-9606080292-story.html |access-date=January 16, 2019 |website=Sun-Sentinel |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107012229/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-06-09-9606080292-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was brokered by the [[Charles F. Noyes]] Company, a prominent real estate firm in upper Manhattan,<ref name="Jamestown Journal 1951" /> for $51&nbsp;million, the highest price paid for a single structure at the time.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=366}} By this time, the Empire State had been fully leased for several years with a waiting list of parties looking to lease space in the building, according to the ''Cortland Standard''.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 26, 1951 |title=Empire State Building Will Change Hands |page=1 |work=Cortland Standard |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%25201951%2FCortland%2520NY%2520Standard%25201951%2520-%25201985.pdf |access-date=October 23, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref> That same year, six news companies formed a partnership to pay a combined annual fee of $600,000 to use the [[#Broadcast stations|building's antenna]],<ref name="Jamestown Journal 1951" /> which was completed in 1953.<ref name="Kinney 1953" /> Crown bought out his partners' ownership stakes in 1954, becoming the sole owner.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 15, 1954 |title=Deal Is Closed On Empire State; Col. Henry Crown Increases His Ownership to 100% in Famed Office Structure |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/10/15/archives/deal-is-closed-on-empire-state-col-henry-crown-increases-his.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100302/http://www.nytimes.com/1954/10/15/archives/deal-is-closed-on-empire-state-col-henry-crown-increases-his.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] named the building one of the "Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders".<ref>{{cite news |date=December 29, 1955 |title=Empire State Building Given Special Award |page=28 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/clip/24803875/empire_state_building_given_special/ |access-date=October 26, 2017 |via=[[Chicago Tribune]]; [[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref><ref name="ASCE Metropolitan Section">{{cite web |title=Empire State Building |url=http://www.ascemetsection.org/committees/history-and-heritage/landmarks/empire-state-building |access-date=October 26, 2017 |website=ASCE Metropolitan Section |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910163040/http://www.ascemetsection.org/committees/history-and-heritage/landmarks/empire-state-building |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1961, [[Lawrence A. Wien]] signed a contract to purchase the Empire State Building for $65&nbsp;million, with [[Harry B. Helmsley]] acting as partners in the building's operating lease.<ref name="Bagli 2013" /><ref name="The New York Times 1961">{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1961 |title=Empire State Sold; Price Is 65 Million; Empire State Building Bought By Syndicate for $65,000,000 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/08/23/118923240.pdf |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> This became the new highest price for a single structure.<ref name="The New York Times 1961" /> Over 3,000 people paid $10,000 for one share each in a company called Empire State Building Associates. The company in turn [[sublease]]d the building to another company headed by Helmsley and Wien, raising $33&nbsp;million of the funds needed to pay the purchase price.<ref name="Bagli 2013" /><ref name="The New York Times 1961" /> In a separate transaction,<ref name="The New York Times 1961" /> the land underneath the building was sold to [[Prudential Financial|Prudential Insurance]] for $29&nbsp;million.<ref name="Bagli 2013" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 24, 1961 |title=New Buyer to Sell Empire State To Prudential in Leaseback Deal |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/08/24/97617875.pdf |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> Helmsley, Wien, and Peter Malkin quickly started a program of minor improvement projects, including the first-ever full-building facade refurbishment and window-washing in 1962,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=351}}<ref>{{cite news |date=August 3, 1962 |title=Tower at Empire State Getting First Cleaning |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/08/03/83213750.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> the installation of new flood lights on the 72nd floor in 1964,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=353}}<ref name="The New York Times 1964" /> and replacement of the manually operated elevators with automatic units in 1966.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=352–353}} The little-used western end of the second floor was used as a storage space until 1964, at which point it received escalators to the first floor as part of its conversion into a highly sought retail area.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=352}}<ref>{{cite web |date=December 24, 1964 |title=The Empire State Gets Escalators |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/24/the-empire-state-gets-escalators.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125535/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/24/the-empire-state-gets-escalators.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Loss of "tallest building" title===
[[File:World Trade Center, New York City - aerial view (March 2001).jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=The World Trade Center as seen from the air|The [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]'s [[1 World Trade Center (1970–2001)|North Tower]] surpassed the Empire State Building in height by 1970.<ref name="The New York Times 1970">{{cite web |date=October 20, 1970 |title=World Trade Center Becomes World's Highest Building By 4 Feet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/20/archives/world-trade-center-becomes-worlds-highest-building-by-4-feet.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026164356/http://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/20/archives/world-trade-center-becomes-worlds-highest-building-by-4-feet.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1970a">{{cite web |date=December 24, 1970 |title=Trade Center 'Topped Out' With Steel Column 1,370 Feet Above Street |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/24/archives/trade-center-topped-out-with-steel-column-1370-feet-above-street.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026213534/http://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/24/archives/trade-center-topped-out-with-steel-column-1370-feet-above-street.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

In 1961, the same year that Helmsley, Wien, and Malkin had purchased the Empire State Building, the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] formally backed plans for a new [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] in [[Lower Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 12, 1961 |title=355 Million World Trade Center Backed by Port Authority Study; 355 Million World Trade Center Backed by Port Authority Study |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/03/12/100239808.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126151750/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/03/12/100239808.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The plan originally included 66-story twin towers with column-free open spaces. The Empire State's owners and real estate speculators were worried that the twin towers' {{convert|7.6|e6ft2|m2}} of office space would create a glut of rentable space in Manhattan as well as take away the Empire State Building's profits from lessees.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=353–354}} A revision in the World Trade Center's plan brought the twin towers to {{convert|1370|ft|m}} each or 110 stories, taller than the Empire State.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=354}} Opponents of the new project included prominent real-estate developer [[Robert Tishman]], as well as Wien's Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=354}} In response to Wien's opposition, Port Authority executive director [[Austin J. Tobin]] said that Wien was only opposing the project because it would overshadow his Empire State Building as the world's tallest building.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ennis |first=Thomas W. |date=February 15, 1964 |title=Critics Impugned On Trade Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/15/cr-tics-impugned-on-trade-center.html |access-date=October 26, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027074800/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/15/cr-tics-impugned-on-trade-center.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The World Trade Center's twin towers started [[Construction of the World Trade Center|construction]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 6, 1966 |title=Jackhammers Bite Pavement to Start Trade Center Job |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/08/06/82504559.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303144625/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/08/06/82504559.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, the [[Ostankino Tower]] succeeded the Empire State Building as the [[List of tallest freestanding structures|tallest freestanding structure in the world]].<ref name="CBS News 2012" /> In 1970, the Empire State surrendered its position as the world's tallest building,{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|pp=105–106}} when the World Trade Center's still-under-construction [[1 World Trade Center (1970–2001)|North Tower]] surpassed it, on October 19;<ref name="The New York Times 1970" /><ref name="The New York Times 1970a" /> the North Tower was [[topping out|topped out]] on December 23, 1970.<ref name="The New York Times 1970a" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Timeline: World Trade Center Chronology |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/newyork/timeline/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502225357/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/newyork/timeline/index.html |archive-date=May 2, 2007 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |publisher=PBS – American Experience }}</ref>

In December 1975, the observation deck was opened on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers, significantly higher than the 86th floor observatory on the Empire State Building.<ref name="Bartlett 1976" /> The latter was also losing revenue during this period, particularly as a number of broadcast stations had moved to the World Trade Center in 1971; the Port Authority continued to pay the broadcasting leases for the Empire State until 1984.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|pp=356–357}} The Empire State Building was still seen as prestigious, having seen its forty-millionth visitor in March 1971.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=18}}

===1980s and 1990s===
By 1980, there were nearly two million annual visitors,{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1326}} although a building official had previously estimated between 1.5&nbsp;million and 1.75&nbsp;million annual visitors.<ref name="Mouat 1979" /> The building received its own ZIP code in May 1980 in a roll out of 63 new postal codes in Manhattan. At the time, its tenants collectively received 35,000 pieces of mail daily.<ref name="The New York Times 1980">{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1980 |title=Manhattan Adding 63 ZIP Codes; Empire State Gets Own Code |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1980/05/01/111235073.pdf |access-date=October 31, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref> The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1981, with a much-publicized, but poorly received, laser light show,<ref>{{cite news |last=Phelps |first=Timothy M. |date=May 1, 1981 |title=Light Show More Like a Flicker |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/01/nyregion/light-show-more-like-a-flicker.html |access-date=October 29, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107042324/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/01/nyregion/light-show-more-like-a-flicker.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as an "Empire State Building Week" that ran through to May 8.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1981 |title=Empire State Celebrates 50th Year |page=1 |work=Auburn Citizen-Advertiser |agency=[[United Press International]] |url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newpapers%20Disk2/Auburn%20NY%20Citizen%20Advertiser/Auburn%20NY%20Citizen%20Advertiser%201981%20pdf/Newspaper%20Auburn%20NY%20Citizen%20Advertiser%201981%20-%201284.PDF |access-date=October 29, 2017 |via=[[fultonhistory.com]] }}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=16}} The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,<ref name="Haberman 1981">{{Cite news |last=Haberman |first=Clyde |date=May 20, 1981 |title=Panel Creates a Historic District in Manhattan's East 60's and 70's |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/20/nyregion/panel-creates-a-historic-district-in-manhattan-s-east-60-s-and-70-s.html |access-date=May 7, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507190916/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/20/nyregion/panel-creates-a-historic-district-in-manhattan-s-east-60-s-and-70-s.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sutton 1981">{{Cite news |last=Sutton |first=Larry |date=May 20, 1981 |title=Puttin' Fix on Upper East Side Ritz |pages=141 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101297522/puttin-fix-on-upper-east-side/ |access-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507191435/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101297522/puttin-fix-on-upper-east-side/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Capital improvements were made to the Empire State Building during the early to mid-1990s at a cost of $55&nbsp;million.<ref name="Dunlap 1994">{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=July 8, 1994 |title=Trump Plans Revitalization of Empire State Building |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/08/nyregion/trump-plans-revitalization-of-empire-state-building.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031919/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/08/nyregion/trump-plans-revitalization-of-empire-state-building.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Because all of the building's windows were being replaced at the same time, the LPC mandated a paint-color test for the windows; the test revealed that the Empire State Building's original windows were actually red.<ref name="Gray 1992">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |date=June 14, 1992 |title=Streetscapes: The Empire State Building; A Red Reprise for a '31 Wonder |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/14/realestate/streetscapes-the-empire-state-building-a-red-reprise-for-a-31-wonder.html |access-date=December 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226233119/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/14/realestate/streetscapes-the-empire-state-building-a-red-reprise-for-a-31-wonder.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The improvements also entailed replacing alarm systems, elevators, windows, and air conditioning; making the observation deck compliant with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]] (ADA); and refurbishing the limestone facade.<ref name="Oser 1996">{{Cite news |last=Oser |first=Alan S. |date=July 21, 1996 |title=Perspectives; The Empire State Building's Two-Front Campaign |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/21/realestate/perspectives-the-empire-state-building-s-two-front-campaign.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100909/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/21/realestate/perspectives-the-empire-state-building-s-two-front-campaign.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The observation deck renovation was added after disability rights groups and the [[United States Department of Justice]] filed a lawsuit against the building in 1992, in what was the first lawsuit filed by an organization under the new law.<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=January 28, 1992 |title=Advocates of Disabled File Complaint About the Empire State Building |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/28/nyregion/advocates-of-disabled-file-complaint-about-the-empire-state-building.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023244/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/28/nyregion/advocates-of-disabled-file-complaint-about-the-empire-state-building.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hamilton 1994">{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Andrea |date=March 4, 1994 |title=Empire State Building to Provide Better Access for Disabled |pages=11 |work=The Buffalo News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115221051/empire-state-building-to-provide-better/ |access-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226233118/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115221051/empire-state-building-to-provide-better/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A settlement was reached in 1994, in which Empire State Building Associates agreed to add ADA-compliant elements, such as new elevators, ramps, and automatic doors, during the renovation.<ref name="Hamilton 1994" /><ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=US V. Empire State Building of NYC |url=https://www.justice.gov/crt/foia/readingroom/frequent_requests/ada_settlements/ny/ny2.txt |format=TXT file |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=March 3, 1994 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205050423/http://www.justice.gov/crt/foia/readingroom/frequent_requests/ada_settlements/ny/ny2.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>

Prudential sold the land under the building in 1991 for $42&nbsp;million to a buyer representing hotelier {{ill|Hideki Yokoi|ja|横井英樹}}, who was imprisoned at the time in connection with the deadly {{ill|Hotel New Japan Fire|ja|ホテルニュージャパン火災}} at the {{ill|Hotel New Japan|ja|ホテルニュージャパン}} in Tokyo.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 1, 1991 |title=Company News; Empire State Buyer Found |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/01/business/company-news-empire-state-buyer-found.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922050731/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/01/business/company-news-empire-state-buyer-found.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1994, [[Donald Trump]] entered into a joint-venture agreement with Yokoi, with a shared goal of breaking the Empire State Building's lease on the land in an effort to gain total ownership of the building so that, if successful, the two could reap the potential profits of merging the ownership of the building with the land beneath it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump's Failed and Fraught Attempt to Own the Empire State Building |url=https://www.6sqft.com/donald-trumps-failed-and-fraught-attempt-to-own-the-empire-state-building/ |access-date=January 29, 2019 |website=6sqft |date=April 18, 2016 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053214/https://www.6sqft.com/donald-trumps-failed-and-fraught-attempt-to-own-the-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Having secured a half-ownership of the land, Trump devised plans to take ownership of the building itself so he could renovate it, even though Helmsley and Malkin had already started their refurbishment project.<ref name="Dunlap 1994" /> He sued Empire State Building Associates in February 1995, claiming that the latter had caused the building to become a "high-rise slum"<ref name="Bagli 2013" /> and a "second-rate, rodent-infested" office tower.<ref name="Gilpin 1995">{{Cite news |last=Gilpin |first=Kenneth N. |date=February 17, 1995 |title=Company News; Trump Sues Empire State Building Management Company |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/17/business/company-news-trump-sues-empire-state-building-management-company.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922051205/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/17/business/company-news-trump-sues-empire-state-building-management-company.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump had intended to have Empire State Building Associates evicted for violating the terms of their lease,<ref name="Gilpin 1995" /> but was denied.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 22, 1995 |title=Trump Loses Round in Empire State Suit |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/22/business/trump-loses-round-in-empire-state-suit.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922051745/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/22/business/trump-loses-round-in-empire-state-suit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This led to Helmsley's companies countersuing Trump in May.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=David Cay |date=May 31, 1995 |title=Helmsley, In a Countersuit Against Trump, Alleges a Conspiracy as Big as the Empire State |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/31/nyregion/helmsley-countersuit-against-trump-alleges-conspiracy-big-empire-state.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221093340/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/31/nyregion/helmsley-countersuit-against-trump-alleges-conspiracy-big-empire-state.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This sparked a series of lawsuits and countersuits that lasted several years,<ref name="Bagli 2013" /> partly arising from Trump's desire to obtain the building's master lease by taking it from Empire State Building Associates.<ref name="Oser 1996" /> Upon Harry Helmsley's death in 1997, the Malkins sued Helmsley's widow, [[Leona Helmsley]], for control of the building.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |year=1997 |title=With Helmsley Death, Wife Faces Battle for Empire |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/06/nyregion/with-helmsley-death-wife-faces-battle-for-empire.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607051554/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/06/nyregion/with-helmsley-death-wife-faces-battle-for-empire.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
====2000s====
Following the destruction of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became the [[List of tallest buildings in New York City|tallest building in New York City]], but was only the [[List of tallest buildings in the world|second-tallest building in the Americas]] after the [[Willis Tower|Sears (later Willis) Tower]] in Chicago.<ref name="CBS News 2012" /><ref name="Dunlap 2012" /><ref name="New York Daily News 2012" /> As a result of the attacks, transmissions from nearly all of the city's commercial television and FM radio stations were again broadcast from the Empire State Building.{{sfn|Guerrero et al.|2002|p=37}} The attacks also led to an increase in security due to persistent terror threats against prominent sites in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rashbaum |first=William K. |date=July 15, 2002 |title=Terror Makes All the World A Beat for New York Police |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/15/nyregion/terror-makes-all-the-world-a-beat-for-new-york-police.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107120009/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/15/nyregion/terror-makes-all-the-world-a-beat-for-new-york-police.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002, Trump and Yokoi sold their land claim to the Empire State Building Associates, now headed by Malkin, in a $57.5&nbsp;million transaction.<ref name="Bagli 2013" /><ref name="Bagli 2002">{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=March 19, 2002 |title=Partnership in Deal for Empire State Building |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/19/nyregion/partnership-in-deal-for-empire-state-building.html |access-date=September 21, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127165316/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/19/nyregion/partnership-in-deal-for-empire-state-building.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This action merged the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.<ref name="Bagli 2002" /> Despite the lingering threat posed by the 9/11 attacks, the Empire State Building remained popular with 3.5&nbsp;million visitors to the observatories in 2004, compared to about 2.8&nbsp;million in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=August 14, 2004 |title=Making Sense of New York, From 86 Stories Up; Views From the Empire State Building, Mapped Out in Steel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/14/nyregion/making-sense-new-york-86-stories-up-views-empire-state-building-mapped-steel.html |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107115209/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/14/nyregion/making-sense-new-york-86-stories-up-views-empire-state-building-mapped-steel.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Even though she maintained her ownership stake in the building until the post-consolidation IPO in October 2013, [[Leona Helmsley]] handed over day-to-day operations of the building in 2006 to Peter Malkin's company.<ref name="Bagli 2013" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 30, 2006 |title=Helmsley Caves In – Empire State Bldg. War Ends |work=New York Post |url=https://nypost.com/2006/08/30/helmsley-caves-in-empire-state-bldg-war-ends/ |access-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922051536/http://nypost.com/2006/08/30/helmsley-caves-in-empire-state-bldg-war-ends/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, the building was temporarily "stolen" by the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' to show how easy it was to transfer the deed on a property, since city clerks were not required to validate the submitted information, as well as to help demonstrate how fraudulent deeds could be used to obtain large mortgages and then have individuals disappear with the money. The paperwork submitted to the city included the names of [[Fay Wray]], the famous star of ''King Kong'', and [[Willie Sutton]], a notorious New York bank robber. The newspaper then transferred the deed back over to the legitimate owners, who at that time were Empire State Land Associates.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 2, 2008 |title=It Took 90 Minutes to 'Steal' the Empire State Building |newspaper=New York Daily News |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/money/90-minutes-daily-news-steal-empire-state-building-article-1.353477 |access-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607185902/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/money/90-minutes-daily-news-steal-empire-state-building-article-1.353477 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2010s to present====
[[File:EmpireStateBuildingCU.jpg|thumb|alt=The Empire State Building as seen at night, illuminated in blue and white|The Empire State Building lit in blue and white annually for commencement at [[Columbia University]]]]
[[File:ESBandDowntown2015.jpg|thumb|alt=The Empire State Building at sunset looking south. Buildings can be seen in the distance, including One World Trade Center.|The current [[One World Trade Center]] (seen in the distance) surpassed the Empire State Building's height on April 30, 2012.]]

Starting in 2009, the building's public areas received a $550&nbsp;million renovation, with improvements to the air conditioning and waterproofing, renovations to the observation deck and main lobby,<ref name="Barron 2009" /> and relocation of the gift shop to the 80th floor.<ref name="Cortese 2008">{{cite web |last=Cortese |first=Amy |date=October 5, 2008 |title=The Empire State Building Gets a Makeover |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/realestate/commercial/05sqft.html |access-date=October 27, 2017 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028044917/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/realestate/commercial/05sqft.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="esbnyc1">{{cite web |title=2009 ULI Fall Meeting & Urban Land Expo&nbsp;– Green Retrofit: What Is Making This the Wave of the Future? |url=http://www.esbnyc.com/sustainability_energy_efficiency.asp |publisher=Empire State Realty Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122082831/http://esbnyc.com/sustainability_energy_efficiency.asp |archive-date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |format=PDF }}</ref> About $120&nbsp;million was spent on improving the [[efficient energy use|energy efficiency]] of the building, with the goal of reducing energy emissions by 38% within five years.<ref name="esbnyc1" /><ref name="Navarro 2009" /> For example, all of the windows were refurbished onsite into film-coated "superwindows" which block heat but pass light.<ref name="Navarro 2009" /><ref name="fa2012">{{cite magazine |last=Lovins |first=Amory |date=March–April 2012 |title=A Farewell to Fossil Fuels |url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137246/amory-b-lovins/a-farewell-to-fossil-fuels |magazine=Foreign Affairs |access-date=September 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707031832/http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137246/amory-b-lovins/a-farewell-to-fossil-fuels |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=368}} [[Air conditioning]] operating costs on hot days were reduced, saving $17&nbsp;million of the project's capital cost immediately and partially funding some of the other retrofits.<ref name="fa2012" /> The Empire State Building won the [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]] (LEED) Gold for Existing Buildings rating in September 2011, as well as the [[World Federation of Great Towers]]' Excellence in Environment Award for 2010.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=368}} For the LEED Gold certification, the building's energy reduction was considered, as was a large purchase of [[carbon offset]]s. Other factors included low-flow bathroom fixtures, green cleaning supplies, and use of recycled paper products.<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire State Building Achieves LEED Gold |url=https://www.usgbc.org/articles/empire-state-building-achieves-leed-gold |access-date=June 29, 2020 |publisher=U.S. Green Building Council |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731210032/https://www.usgbc.org/articles/empire-state-building-achieves-leed-gold |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 30, 2012, [[One World Trade Center]] topped out, surpassing the Empire State Building as the city's tallest skyscraper.<ref name="New York Daily News 2012"/> By 2014, the building was owned by the Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin as chairman, CEO, and president.<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire State Realty Trust |url=http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/properties |access-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-date=October 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008135213/http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/properties |url-status=live }}</ref> The ESRT was a public company, having begun trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yousuf |first=Hibah |date=October 2, 2013 |title=Empire State Building IPO Disappoints |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/10/02/investing/empire-state-building-ipo/index.html |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=CNNMoney |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194056/http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/02/investing/empire-state-building-ipo/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was issued new fully diluted shares equivalent to 9.9% of the trust; this investment gave them partial ownership of the entirety of the ESRT's portfolio, and as a result, partial ownership of the Empire State Building.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2016 |title=Empire State Realty Trust Announces $622 Million Investment by Qatar Investment Authority |url=http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/news/post/empire-state-realty-trust-announces-622-million-investment-by-qatar-investment-authority |access-date=January 29, 2019 |website=Empire State Realty Trust – ESRT |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130000315/http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/news/post/empire-state-realty-trust-announces-622-million-investment-by-qatar-investment-authority |url-status=live }}</ref> The trust's president John Kessler called it an "endorsement of the company's irreplaceable assets".<ref name="Egan 2016">{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Matt |date=August 24, 2016 |title=Qatar Buys Chunk of Empire State Building |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/24/investing/empire-state-building-opec-qatar/index.html |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=CNNMoney |archive-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119052821/http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/24/investing/empire-state-building-opec-qatar/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The investment has been described by the real-estate magazine ''[[The Real Deal (magazine)|The Real Deal]]'' as "an unusual move for a sovereign wealth fund", as these funds typically buy direct stakes in buildings rather than real estate companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Qatar's Empire State Building Investment Is Rare Move for Foreign Fund |url=https://therealdeal.com/2016/08/25/qatars-empire-state-building-investment-is-rare-move-for-foreign-fund/ |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131184719/https://therealdeal.com/2016/08/25/qatars-empire-state-building-investment-is-rare-move-for-foreign-fund/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other foreign entities that have a stake in the ESRT include investors from Norway, Japan, and Australia.<ref name="Egan 2016" />

A renovation of the Empire State Building was commenced in the 2010s to further improve energy efficiency, public areas, and amenities.<ref name="am New York 2018" /> In August 2018, to improve the flow of visitor traffic, the main visitor's entrance was shifted to 20 West 34th Street as part of a major renovation of the observatory lobby.<ref name="New York 2018">{{cite web |date=August 23, 2018 |title=New York's Empire State Building Gets a Surprising Upgrade |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/new-york-empire-state-building-surprising-upgrade |access-date=October 10, 2018 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011053509/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/new-york-empire-state-building-surprising-upgrade |url-status=live }}</ref> The new lobby includes several technological features, including large LED panels, digital ticket kiosks in nine languages, and a two-story architectural model of the building surrounded by two metal staircases.<ref name="am New York 2018" /><ref name="New York 2018" /> The first phase of the renovation, completed in 2019, features an updated exterior lighting system and digital hosts.<ref name="New York 2018" /> The new lobby also features free Wi-Fi provided for those waiting.<ref name="am New York 2018" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Quito |first1=Anne |date=August 23, 2018 |title=How Designers Keep You Calm in Long Queues (It Sometimes Involves Elephants) |url=https://qz.com/quartzy/1367021/the-empire-state-building-debuts-a-new-observatory-entrance-designed-to-improve-its-very-long-queue/ |access-date=June 4, 2019 |website=Quartz |publisher=Quartzy |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604053237/https://qz.com/quartzy/1367021/the-empire-state-building-debuts-a-new-observatory-entrance-designed-to-improve-its-very-long-queue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A {{Convert|10,000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} exhibit with nine galleries opened in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ricciulli |first=Valeria |date=July 29, 2019 |title=See Inside the New Empire State Building Mini Museum Showcasing Its History |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/7/29/8934703/empire-state-building-exhibit-observatory-history-nyc |access-date=July 30, 2019 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729173022/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/7/29/8934703/empire-state-building-exhibit-observatory-history-nyc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2019 |title=King Kong Returns To The Empire State Building Inside New Immersive Museum |url=https://gothamist.com/2019/07/30/empire_state_building_museum_photos.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730212352/https://gothamist.com/2019/07/30/empire_state_building_museum_photos.php |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2019 |website=Gothamist |language=en }}</ref> The 102nd floor observatory, the third phase of the redesign, reopened to the public on October 12, 2019.<ref name="Wallace 2019" /><ref name="Russell 2019" /><ref name="CBS News 2019a" /> That portion of the project included outfitting the space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a brand-new glass elevator.<ref>{{cite web | last=Russell | first=James S. | title=The Empire State Building: Renewing the Affair | website=The New York Times | date=September 19, 2019 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/arts/design/empire-state-building-observatory.html | access-date=November 11, 2025}}</ref> The final portion of the renovations to be completed was a new observatory on the 80th floor, which opened on December 2, 2019.<ref name="Ricciulli 2019" /><ref name="CBS News 2019" /> In total, the renovation cost $160 million<ref name="CBS News 2019a" /> or $165&nbsp;million and took four years to finish.<ref name="Ricciulli 2019" /><ref name="CBS News 2019" />

A comprehensive restoration of the building's mooring and antenna masts also began in June 2019. Antennas on the mooring mast were removed or relocated to the upper mast, while the aluminum panels were cleaned and coated with silver paint.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Londono |first=Vanessa |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Empire State Building Spire Restoration Nears Completion in Midtown |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/09/empire-state-building-restoration-nearly-complete.html |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304041855/https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/09/empire-state-building-restoration-nearly-complete.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gannon 2020">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Empire State Building's Art Deco Spire Returns in All Its Glory After Restoration |url=https://www.6sqft.com/empire-state-buildings-art-deco-spire-returns-in-all-its-glory-after-restoration/ |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=6sqft |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304041854/https://www.6sqft.com/empire-state-buildings-art-deco-spire-returns-in-all-its-glory-after-restoration/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Marani 2020">{{cite web |last=Marani |first=Matthew |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Restoration of the Empire State Building's Art Deco Crown Nears Completion |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2020/10/facades-empire-state-building-nears-completion-of-art-deco-crown-restoration/ |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408162402/https://www.archpaper.com/2020/10/facades-empire-state-building-nears-completion-of-art-deco-crown-restoration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To minimize disruption to the observation decks, the restoration work took place at night. The project was completed by late 2020.<ref name="Marani 2020" />

==Height records==
[[File:New York Bldg. Height Comparison.svg|thumb|250px|Height comparison of several New York City buildings, with Empire State second from left]]

The world record held by the Empire State Building for the longest was for the tallest skyscraper (to structural height). The building held this distinction for 42&nbsp;years, being surpassed by the [[1 World Trade Center (1970–2001)|North Tower]] of the World Trade Center in October 1970.<ref name="CBS News 2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-trade-center-tower-surpasses-empire-state/ |title=World Trade Center Tower Surpasses Empire State |date=April 30, 2012 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612163009/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-trade-center-tower-surpasses-empire-state// |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Dunlap 2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/1-world-trade-center-will-reclaim-the-sky-in-lower-manhattan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/1-world-trade-center-will-reclaim-the-sky-in-lower-manhattan.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |title=1 World Trade Center Will Reclaim the Sky in Lower Manhattan |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=April 30, 2012 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 22, 2017}}{{cbignore }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Twin Towers |url=http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/history-twin-towers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228040848/http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/history-twin-towers.html |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 }}</ref> The Empire State Building was also the [[List of tallest buildings and structures in the world|tallest human-made structure]] in the world before it was surpassed by the [[Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma]] (KWTV Mast) in 1954,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZixNAQAAIAAJ |title=The Guinness Book of Records |last1=McWhirter |first1=N. |last2=McWhirter |first2=R. |publisher=Guinness Superlatives |year=1994 |page=101 |isbn=9780851125121 |access-date=October 22, 2017 }}</ref> and the [[List of tallest freestanding structures|tallest freestanding structure in the world]] until the completion of the [[Ostankino Tower]] in 1967.<ref name="CBS News 2012"/> An early-1970s proposal to dismantle the spire and replace it with an additional 11 floors, which would have brought the building's height to 1,494&nbsp;feet (455&nbsp;m) and made it once again the world's tallest at the time, was considered but ultimately rejected.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/10/11/79431607.pdf |title=11 Floors May Be Added to the Empire State |last=Carmody |first=Deirdre |date=October 11, 1972 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=January 24, 2020 }}</ref>

With the destruction of the World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became the [[List of tallest buildings in New York City|tallest building in New York City]], and the [[List of tallest buildings in the world|second-tallest building in the Americas]], surpassed only by the [[Willis Tower]] in Chicago. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the new [[One World Trade Center]] reached a greater height in April 2012.<ref name="CBS News 2012" /><ref name="Dunlap 2012" /><ref name="New York Daily News 2012">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/official-1-wtc-york-tallest-building-article-1.1069925 |title=It's Official: 1 WTC Is New York's New Tallest Building |date=April 30, 2012 |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=April 30, 2012 |postscript=none |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502010034/http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/official-1-wtc-york-tallest-building-article-1.1069925 |url-status=live}}; {{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/02/us/new-york-world-trade-center-topping/index.html |title=Final pieces hoisted atop One World Trade Center |publisher=CNN |date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503020752/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/02/us/new-york-world-trade-center-topping/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, it is the seventh-tallest building in New York City and the [[List of tallest buildings in the United States|tenth-tallest in the United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/country/united-states |title=100 Tallest Buildings in the United States |date=April 7, 2016 |website=The Skyscraper Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708033922/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/country/united-states |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2017 }}</ref> The Empire State Building is the [[List of tallest buildings in the world|49th-tallest in the world]] {{as of|2021|02|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings |title=100 Tallest Completed Buildings in the World |date=April 7, 2016 |website=The Skyscraper Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018184522/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2017 }}</ref> It is also the [[List of tallest freestanding structures in the world|eleventh-tallest freestanding structure in the Americas]] behind the tallest U.S. buildings and the [[CN Tower]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings?list=tallest-towers |title=100 Tallest Towers in the World |date=April 7, 2016 |website=The Skyscraper Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022003625/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings?list=tallest-towers |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=October 22, 2017 }}</ref>

== Notable tenants ==
{{as of|2013}}, the building housed around 1,000 businesses.<ref name="Glancey 2013">{{cite web |last=Glancey |first=Jonathan |title=The Empire State Building: American Icon |publisher=BBC |date=June 13, 2013 |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130613-empire-state-towering-ambition |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024001928/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130613-empire-state-towering-ambition |url-status=live }}</ref> Current tenants include:<!--Please do not list Garuda Indonesia, Daalo, or Air Zimbabwe as the offices are operated by a travel agent, not the airline itself-->
{{Columns-list|colwidth=25em|
* [[Air China]]<ref>"[http://www.airchina.com.cn/www/en/html/index/customer_service/worldwide_offices/1071/ The Americas] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020012447/http://www.airchina.com.cn/www/en/html/index/customer_service/worldwide_offices/1071 |date=October 20, 2012}}." [[Air China]]. Retrieved October 15, 2012. "New York AIR CHINA Ltd.(New York) Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6905 New York, NY 10118"</ref>
* [[Boy Scouts of America]], [[Greater New York Councils]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2012/04/27/boy-scouts-relocate-retail-store-out-of-empire-state-building/ |title=Boy Scouts Move Store out of Empire State Building |last=Pincus |first=Adam |date=April 27, 2012 |work=The Real Deal New York |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728074229/https://therealdeal.com/2012/04/27/boy-scouts-relocate-retail-store-out-of-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bulova]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012">{{Cite news |url=http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/properties/office/empire-state-building1/ |title=Empire State Building |date=April 27, 2012 |work=Empire State Realty Trust |access-date=December 5, 2018 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105025304/http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/properties/office/empire-state-building1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Corgan (company)|Corgan]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/11/the-plan-corgans-office-in-the-empire-state-building/ |title=The Plan: Corgan's Office in the Empire State Building |date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819021023/https://commercialobserver.com/2015/11/the-plan-corgans-office-in-the-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Coty]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/empirestatebuilding-coty/update-2-coty-expands-in-empire-state-building-idUSL2E8FIAGG20120418 |title=Update 2: Coty Expands in Empire State Building |date=April 18, 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026110418/https://www.reuters.com/article/empirestatebuilding-coty/update-2-coty-expands-in-empire-state-building-idUSL2E8FIAGG20120418 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Croatian National Tourist Board]]<ref name="Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue Archived October 14">"[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3601/is_71_50/ai_n6149482 Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014005752/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3601/is_71_50/ai_n6149482|date=October 14, 2008}}." ''Real Estate Weekly''. June 30, 2004.</ref>
* [[Expedia Group]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2016/01/expedia-checking-into-upper-floor-of-empire-state-building/ |title=Expedia Checking Into Upper Floor of Empire State Building |work=Commercial Observer |date=January 20, 2018 |last=Cullen |first=Terence |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731020113/https://commercialobserver.com/2016/01/expedia-checking-into-upper-floor-of-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://observer.com/2009/07/fdic-signs-lease-for-empire-state-building/ |title=FDIC Signs Lease for Empire State Building |last=Rubenstein |first=Dana |date=July 7, 2009 |work=Observer |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054148/http://observer.com/2009/07/fdic-signs-lease-for-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Global Brands Group]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012"/>
* ''[[Filipino Reporter (newspaper)|Filipino Reporter]]''<ref name="Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue Archived October 14" />
* [[Helios and Matheson]]<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/02/21/468595/246616/en/Helios-and-Matheson-Moved-Principal-Executive-Office-to-Empire-State-Building.html |title=Helios and Matheson Moved Principal Executive Office to Empire State Building |date=February 21, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719054456/https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/02/21/468595/246616/en/Helios-and-Matheson-Moved-Principal-Executive-Office-to-Empire-State-Building.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[HNTB]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/09/engineering-consultant-grows-at-the-empire-state-building |title=Engineering Consultant Grows at the Empire State Building |date=September 28, 2018 |last=Baird-Remba |first=Rebecca |work=Commercial Observer |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805031557/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/09/engineering-consultant-grows-at-the-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Human Rights Foundation]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.themaven.net/humanrightsfoundation/team |title=About Us |website=HRF.org |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930211949/https://www.themaven.net/humanrightsfoundation/team |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Human Rights Watch]]<ref name="Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue Archived October 14" />
* [[JCDecaux]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012"/>
* [[Kaplan International English|Kaplan International Center]]<ref>{{cite web |title=New York Empire State |website=Kaplan International |date=January 2, 2017 |url=https://www.kaplaninternational.com/united-states/new-york/empire-state-english-school |access-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210071817/https://www.kaplaninternational.com/united-states/new-york/empire-state-english-school |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Li & Fung]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/empire_expansion_NpNIrK5MwNvmWPjSEaLVXJ |title=Empire Expansion |last=Weiss |first=Lois |date=January 6, 2011 |work=New York Post |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130164410/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/empire_expansion_NpNIrK5MwNvmWPjSEaLVXJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[LinkedIn]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-30/the-tangled-tale-behind-the-empire-state-buildings-ipo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902091617/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-30/the-tangled-tale-behind-the-empire-state-buildings-ipo |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |title=The Tangled Tale Behind the Empire State Building's IPO |first=David M. |last=Levitt |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=August 30, 2012 |access-date=December 9, 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical|Noven Pharmaceuticals]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://observer.com/2010/05/pharma-firm-bolts-chrysler-building-for-empire-state/ |title=Pharma Firm Bolts Chrysler Building for Empire State |date=May 24, 2010 |work=Observer |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409224542/https://observer.com/2010/05/pharma-firm-bolts-chrysler-building-for-empire-state/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Palo Alto Networks]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012"/>
* [[People's Daily]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Del Percio |first=Stephen |title=Reds Go Green: Chinese Communist Party Newspaper Signs Empire State Building Lease |website=gbNYC Real Estate Group |date=July 18, 2011 |url=http://www.greenbuildingsnyc.com/2011/07/18/reds-go-green-chinese-communist-party-newspaper-signs-empire-state-building-lease/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216191932/http://www.greenbuildingsnyc.com/2011/07/18/reds-go-green-chinese-communist-party-newspaper-signs-empire-state-building-lease/ |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 30, 2023 }}</ref>
* [[Qatar Airways]]<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/news/post/25000-square-feet-of-pre-builts-leased-at-the-empire-state-building |title=25,000 Square Feet of Pre-Builts Leased at the Empire State Building |date=May 5, 2014 |agency=Empire State Realty Trust |access-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184506/http://www.empirestaterealtytrust.com/news/post/25000-square-feet-of-pre-builts-leased-at-the-empire-state-building |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[RaySearch Laboratories]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/01/raysearch-bts-usa-lease-empire-state-realty-trust-350-fifth-avenue-empire-state-building |title=Two Tenants Take Space on 50th Floor of Empire State Building |last=Schram |first=Lauren |date=January 15, 2018 |work=Commercial Observer |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805164951/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/01/raysearch-bts-usa-lease-empire-state-realty-trust-350-fifth-avenue-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Shutterstock]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012"/>
* [[Skanska]]<ref name="Empire State Realty Trust 2012"/>
* [[Turkish Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://therealdeal.com/2011/02/14/turkish-airlines-to-move-into-empire-state-building-according-to-malkin-properties-which-was-represented-by-newmark-knight-frank/ |title=Turkish Airlines Moves into Empire State Bldg |date=February 14, 2011 |work=The Real Deal New York |access-date=October 25, 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Workday, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2015/04/workday-switching-to-empire-state-building/ |title=Workday Switching to Empire State Building |date=April 9, 2015 |work=Commercial Observer |last=Cullen |first=Terence |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216150345/https://commercialobserver.com/2015/04/workday-switching-to-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[World Monuments Fund]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.wmf.org/contact-us |title=Dedicated to Saving the World's Most Treasured Places |work=World Monuments Fund |access-date=October 25, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910222754/http://www.wmf.org/contact-us |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

Former tenants include:
* The National Catholic Welfare Council (now [[Catholic Relief Services]])<ref name="UPI 1969"/>
* [[The King's College (New York)|The King's College]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Buckley |first=Cara |title=An Evangelical College in Manhattan, Where the Sin Is |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=December 20, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/20/nyregion/20metjournal.html |access-date=October 21, 2017 }}</ref>
* [[China National Tourist Office]]<ref name="Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue Archived October 14" />
* [[National Film Board of Canada]]<ref name="Foreigners flocking to 350 Fifth Avenue Archived October 14" />
* [[Nathaniel Branden Institute]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Gladstein |first=M.R. |title=The New Ayn Rand Companion |publisher=Greenwood Press |series=ABC-Clio ebook |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-313-30321-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwWNNobLD5oC&pg=PA16 |access-date=December 28, 2017 |page=16 }}</ref>
* [[Schenley Industries]]{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=345}}
* [[YWCA]] of the USA<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ywca.org/empire/empire.html |title=Empire.html |publisher=[[YWCA]] of the USA |date=July 1, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980701173726/http://www.ywca.org/empire/empire.html |access-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 1998 |quote=YWCA of the U.S.A. Empire State Building, Suite 301 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118 }}</ref>

==Incidents==

===1945 plane crash===
{{Main|1945 Empire State Building B-25 crash|l1=B-25 Empire State Building crash}}
[[File:Bomber Crashed into Empire State Building 1945.jpg|thumb|upright|Wreckage from the [[1945 Empire State Building B-25 crash]]|alt=A black-and-white photo of airplane wreckage embedded in the facade, high up]]

At 9:40&nbsp;am on July 28, 1945, a [[North American B-25 Mitchell]] bomber, piloted in thick fog by Lieutenant Colonel William Franklin Smith Jr.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.457thbombgroup.org/New/750thSquad.html |title=750th Squadron 457th Bombardment Group: Officers&nbsp;– 1943 to 1945 |access-date=April 6, 2009 |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031115007/http://www.457thbombgroup.org/New/750thSquad.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors (then the offices of the [[National Catholic Welfare Council]]).{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=413–414}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 291" /> One engine completely penetrated the building, landing on the roof of a nearby building where it started a fire that destroyed a penthouse.<ref name="UPI 1969">{{cite web |title=Upper Floors of Tallest Building Blazing Inferno |work=United Press International |date=December 31, 1969 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1945/07/28/Upper-floors-of-tallest-building-blazing-inferno/9111501037185/ |access-date=December 4, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/07/29/284668382.pdf |title=Crash Fire Ruins Sculptor's Studio; Photo-Diagram Of The Plane Crash |date=July 29, 1945 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 24, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="McGovern 1982">{{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Tom |date=September 19, 1982 |title=Thick Fog, An Errant Turn, Then Disaster |pages=35 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115221215/thick-fog-an-errant-turn-then/ |access-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226233121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115221215/thick-fog-an-errant-turn-then/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft, causing a fire that was extinguished in 40&nbsp;minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident.{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=86}}<ref name="Bartlett 1976"/><ref name="McGovern 1982" /> Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories and survived, which still holds the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the longest survived elevator fall recorded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=53746 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317041607/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=53746 |archive-date=March 17, 2006 |title=Longest Fall Survived in an Elevator |publisher=Guinness World Records |access-date=October 11, 2010 }}</ref>

Despite the damage and loss of life, many floors were open two days later.{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=86}}<ref name="Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1945"/> The crash helped spur the passage of the long-pending [[Federal Tort Claims Act]] of 1946, as well as the insertion of retroactive provisions into the law, allowing people to sue the government for the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Day A Bomber Hit The Empire State Building |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92987873 |publisher=NPR |access-date=July 28, 2008 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075155/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92987873 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also as a result of the crash, the [[Civil Aeronautics Administration (United States)|Civil Aeronautics Administration]] enacted strict regulations regarding flying over New York City, setting a minimum flying altitude of {{convert|2500|ft|m}} above sea level regardless of the weather conditions.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=330}}{{sfn|Berman|Museum of New York City|2003|p=86}}

A year later, on July 24, 1946, another airplane narrowly missed striking the building. The unidentified twin-engine plane scraped past the observation deck, frightening the tourists there.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/07/26/88375043.pdf |title=Empire State Plane Still Not Identified |date=July 26, 1946 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 21, 2017 }}</ref>

=== 2000 elevator plunge ===
On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable that controlled the cabin's maximum speed was severed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/26/nyregion/elevator-cable-failed-at-empire-state-building-city-finds.html |title=Elevator Cable Failed at Empire State Building, City Finds |last=Chivers |first=C. J. |year=2000 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223141709/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/26/nyregion/elevator-cable-failed-at-empire-state-building-city-finds.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The elevator fell from the 44th floor to the fourth floor, where a narrowed elevator shaft provided a second safety system. Despite the 40-floor fall, both of the passengers in the cabin at the time were only slightly injured. After the fall, building inspectors reviewed all of the building's elevators.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/25/nyregion/empire-state-elevator-plummets-40-floors.html |title=Empire State Elevator Plummets 40 Floors |year=2000 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527143856/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/25/nyregion/empire-state-elevator-plummets-40-floors.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Suicide attempts===
Because of the building's iconic status, it and other Midtown landmarks are common locations for suicide attempts.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gross |first1=Charles |last2=Piper |first2=Tinka Markham |last3=Bucciarelli |first3=Angela |last4=Tardiff |first4=Kenneth |last5=Vlahov |first5=David |last6=Galea |first6=Sandro |date=November 2007 |title=Suicide Tourism in Manhattan, New York City, 1990–2004 |journal=Journal of Urban Health |volume=84 |issue=6 |pages=755–765 |doi=10.1007/s11524-007-9224-0 |issn=1099-3460 |pmc=2232032 |pmid=17885807 }}</ref> More than 30 people have [[Jumper (suicide)|attempted suicide]] over the years by jumping from the upper parts of the building, with most attempts being successful.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/lawyer-dies-empire-suicide-horror-article-1.208440 |title=Lawyer Dies in Empire Suicide Horror |work=New York Daily News |access-date=October 26, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602220803/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/lawyer-dies-empire-suicide-horror-article-1.208440 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/26/features/empside.php |title=An Urban Icon Where They Used to Go Fishing |last=VanDam |first=Jeff |date=April 26, 2006 |work=The Herald Tribune |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212202646/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/26/features/empside.php |archive-date=February 12, 2009 }}</ref>

The first suicide from the building occurred on April 7, 1931, before it was even completed, when a carpenter who had been laid off went to the 58th floor and jumped.<ref>{{cite news |title=Killed in 57-Story Fall; Carpenter's Death at Empire State Building Believed to Be Suicide. |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 7, 1931 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/04/07/96190964.pdf |access-date=October 28, 2017 }}</ref> The first suicide after the building's opening occurred from the 86th floor observatory in February 1935, when Irma P. Eberhardt fell {{convert|1029|ft|m}} onto a [[marquee (sign)|marquee sign]].{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=242}} On December 16, 1943, William Lloyd Rambo jumped to his death from the 86th floor, landing amidst Christmas shoppers on the street below.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19431217&id=0hkqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6593,5004005 |title=Youth Dives from Empire State Bldg |work=The Schenectady Gazette |date=December 17, 1943 |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414043724/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19431217&id=0hkqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6593,5004005 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the early morning of September 27, 1946, [[Post-traumatic stress disorder|shell-shocked]] Marine Douglas W. Brashear Jr. jumped from the 76th-floor window of the Grant Advertising Agency; police found his shoes {{convert|50|ft|m}} from his body.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19460927&id=XkxBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6017,1193556 |title=Leaps to Death from 76th Floor |work=Tuscaloosa News |date=September 27, 1946 |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529101731/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19460927&id=XkxBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6017,1193556 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 1, 1947, [[Evelyn McHale]] leaped to her death from the 86th-floor observation deck and landed on a [[limousine]] parked at the curb. Photography student Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale's oddly intact corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions that she left on the observation deck: "He is much better off without me.... I wouldn't make a good wife for anybody". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947, edition of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Picture of the Week |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZEgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |date=May 12, 1947 |pages=42–43 |issn=0024-3019 |magazine=Life (magazine) }}</ref> and is often referred to as "The Most Beautiful Suicide". It was later used by visual artist [[Andy Warhol]] in one of his prints entitled ''Suicide (Fallen Body)''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dillenberger |first=Jane D. |title=The Religious Art of Andy Warhol |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KemglT-1jSIC&pg=PA67 |date=February 1, 2001 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0-8264-1334-5 |page=67 }}</ref> A {{Convert|7|ft|m|adj=on}} mesh fence was put up around the 86th floor terrace in December 1947 after five people tried to jump during three weeks in October and November of that year.<ref name="The New York Times 1947">{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/12/05/104387577.pdf |title=Safety Guard Completed On The Empire State Building |date=December 5, 1947 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=October 26, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Manhattan |last1=Reavill |first1=Gil |last2=Zimmerman |first2=Jean |publisher=Compass American Guides |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-676-90495-6 |edition=4th |series=Compass American Guides |page=160 }}</ref> By then, sixteen people had died from suicide jumps.<ref name="The New York Times 1947" />

Only one person has jumped from the upper observatory. Frederick Eckert of [[Astoria, Queens|Astoria]] ran past a guard in the enclosed 102nd-floor gallery on November 3, 1932, and jumped a gate leading to an outdoor catwalk intended for [[Airship|dirigible]] passengers. He landed and died on the roof of the 86th floor observation promenade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leaps to His Death Off Empire Tower |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/11/04/105881698.pdf |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=November 4, 1932 |access-date=October 4, 2011 }}</ref>

Two people have survived falls by not falling more than a floor. On December 2, 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind and left with a [[broken hip]].{{sfn|Douglas|2004|p=173}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Broughton |first=Geoffrey |title=Expressions |year=1987 |publisher=Collins ELT |isbn=0-00-370641-9 |page=32 }}</ref>{{sfn|Goldman|1980|p=63}} On April 25, 2013, a man fell from the 86th floor observation deck, but he landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge where security guards brought him inside and paramedics transferred him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sky-fall-man-tumbles-empire-state-building-article-1.1326967 |title=Man Tumbles off Empire State Building |first1=Joseph |last1=Stepansky |first2=Joe |last2=Kemp |first3=Bryan |last3=Calcano |first4=Daniel |last4=Beekman |work=New York Daily News |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2013 |archive-date=April 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427110536/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sky-fall-man-tumbles-empire-state-building-article-1.1326967 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Shootings===
Two fatal shootings have occurred in the direct vicinity of the Empire State Building. Abu Kamal, a 69-year-old Palestinian teacher, [[1997 Empire State Building shooting|shot seven people]] on the 86th floor observation deck during the afternoon of February 23, 1997. He killed one person and wounded six others before committing suicide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gunman Shoots 7, Kills Self at Empire State Building |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9702/24/empire.shooting/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420005919/http://www.cnn.com/US/9702/24/empire.shooting/ |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=February 24, 1997 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamal reportedly committed the shooting in response to events happening in [[Palestinian territories|Palestine]] and Israel.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kleinfield |first=N. R. |title=From Teacher to Gunman: U.S. Visit Ends in Fatal Rage |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=February 25, 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/25/nyregion/from-teacher-to-gunman-us-visit-ends-in-fatal-rage.html |access-date=December 23, 2017 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229141502/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/25/nyregion/from-teacher-to-gunman-us-visit-ends-in-fatal-rage.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On the morning of August 24, 2012, 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnson [[2012 Empire State Building shooting|shot and killed]] a former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He had been laid off from his job in 2011. Two police officers confronted the gunman, and he aimed his firearm at them. They responded by firing 16 shots, killing him but also wounding nine bystanders. Most of the injured were hit by bullet fragments, although three took direct hits from bullets.<ref name="Branigin 2012"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Police: All Empire State Shooting Victims Were Wounded by Officers |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/25/justice/new-york-empire-state-shooting/index.html |access-date=January 4, 2015 |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=August 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104090025/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/25/justice/new-york-empire-state-shooting/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Impact ==
[[File:The Empire State Building by Glenn Odem Coleman, oil on canvas.jpg|thumb|upright|''The Empire State Building'', [[Glenn Coleman (painter)|Glenn Odem Coleman]],<br />{{Circa|1931}}]]
As the tallest building in the world and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building immediately became an icon of the city and of the nation.<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144"/>{{sfn|Willis|Friedman|1998|p=56}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981|p=18}} In 2013, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine noted that the Empire State Building "seems to completely embody the city it has become synonymous with".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Empire State Building: A City Icon Turns 82 Amid Battle to Go Public |magazine=Time |date=May 1, 2013 |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/01/the-empire-state-building-an-icon-in-the-city/ |access-date=October 25, 2017 |last1=Tramz |first1=Mia |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120125603/http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/01/the-empire-state-building-an-icon-in-the-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The historian John Tauranac called it "'the' twentieth-century New York building", despite the existence of taller and more [[Modern architecture|modernist]] buildings.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=19}}

The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,<ref name="Haberman 1981" /><ref name="Sutton 1981" /> citing the historic nature of the first and second floors, as well as "the fixtures and interior components" of the upper floors.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981|page=i}} The [[New York City Planning Commission]] endorsed the landmark status.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 1981 |title=The City; Landmark Status Gains for East Side |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/17/nyregion/the-city-landmark-status-gains-for-east-side.html |access-date=May 7, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507191435/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/17/nyregion/the-city-landmark-status-gains-for-east-side.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986<ref name="nhlsum" /><ref name="nhlnom">{{cite web |last=Pitts |first=Carolyn |date=April 26, 1985 |title=Empire State Building |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/82001192_text |work=National Historic Landmark Nomination |publisher=National Park Service |format=PDF |access-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731062757/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/82001192_text |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nrhpphotos">{{cite web |date=April 26, 1985 |title=Empire State Building—Accompanying 7 Photos, Exterior and Interior, From 1978 |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/82001192_photos |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory |publisher=National Park Service |format=PDF |access-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731062750/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/82001192_photos |url-status=live }}</ref> in close alignment with the New York City Landmarks report.<ref name="nhlnom" /> The Empire State Building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] the following year due to its architectural significance.<ref>{{NRISref|version=2007a}} See also: {{cite web |title=Asset Detail – Empire State Building |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/82001192 |access-date=October 30, 2017 |publisher=National Park Service |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023421/https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/82001192 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Contemporary reception ===
Early architectural critics also focused on the Empire State Building's exterior ornamentation.{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}} Architectural critic Talbot Hamlin wrote in 1931, "That it is the world's tallest building is purely incidental."<ref>{{cite book |title=The New International Yearbook: A Compendium of the World's Progress for the Year.... |year=1931 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=joI3AAAAIAAJ |page=53 |chapter=Architecture |first=Talbot |last=Hamlin }}</ref> [[George Shepard Chappell]], writing in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' under the pseudonym "T-Square", wrote the same year that the Empire State Building had a "palpably enormous" appeal to the general public, and that "its difference and distinction [lay] in the extreme sensitiveness of its entire design".{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Chappell |first=George S. (T-Square) |date=July 13, 1931 |title=The Sky Line |url=https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1931-07-13 |magazine=The New Yorker |volume=7 |pages=46–47 |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017211423/https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1931-07-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> Edmund Wilson of ''[[The New Republic]]'' wrote that the building's neutral color palette made it "New York's handsomest skyscraper".<ref name="Gray 1992" />

Architectural critics also wrote negatively of the mast, especially in light of its failure to become a real air terminal. Chappell called the mast "a silly gesture", and [[Lewis Mumford]] called it "a public comfort station for migratory birds".{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|p=612}} Nevertheless, architecture critic [[Douglas Haskell]] said the Empire State Building's appeal came from the fact that it was "caught at the exact moment of transition—caught between metal and stone, between the idea of 'monumental mass' and that of airy volume, between handicraft and machine design, and in the swing from what was essentially handicraft to what will be essentially industrial methods of fabrication."{{sfn|Stern|Gilmartin|Mellins|1987|pp=614–615}}<!--<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.32106006255894 |first=Douglas |last=Haskell |journal=Creative Art |volume=8 |date=April 1931 |pages=242–244 }}</ref>-->

===As icon===
Early in the building's history, travel companies such as [[Short Line Motor Coach Service]] and [[New York Central Railroad]] used the building as an icon to symbolize the city.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=20}} In a 1932 survey of 50 American architects, fourteen ranked the Empire State Building as the United States' best building; the Empire State Building received more votes than any building except the [[Lincoln Memorial]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Empire State Building Ranked Second in U. S.: Fifty Architects Put Lincoln Memorial First in Vote |date=April 29, 1932 |page=13 |issn=1941-0646 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1125430573}} }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 29, 1932 |title=Architects Pick 'Finest' Buildings; Lincoln Memorial Placed First, Empire State Building Second, Nebraska Capitol Third |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/04/29/archives/architects-pick-finest-buildings-lincoln-memorial-placed-first.html |access-date=December 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226231328/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/04/29/archives/architects-pick-finest-buildings-lincoln-memorial-placed-first.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After the construction of the first World Trade Center, architect [[Paul Goldberger]] noted that the Empire State Building "is famous for being tall, but it is good enough to be famous for being good."<ref name="Mouat 1979"/>

As an icon of the United States, it is also very popular among Americans. In a 2007 survey, the American Institute of Architects found that the Empire State Building was "America's favorite building".<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire State Building Is America's Favorite |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=February 9, 2007 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2007-02-09/empire-state-building-is-americas-favoritebusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054138/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2007-02-09/empire-state-building-is-americas-favoritebusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |url-status=live }}</ref> The building was originally a symbol of hope in a country devastated by the Depression, as well as a work of accomplishment by newer immigrants.<ref name="Young Young 2007 p. 144">{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=William H. |last2=Young |first2=Nancy K. |title=The Great Depression in America: A Cultural Encyclopedia |publisher=Greenwood Press |issue=v. 2 |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-313-33522-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VBljswTLaIEC&pg=PA144 |access-date=October 25, 2017 |pages=144–145 }}</ref> The writer Benjamin Flowers states that the Empire State was "a building intended to celebrate a new America, built by men (both clients and construction workers) who were themselves new Americans."{{sfn|Flowers|2001|p=72}} The architectural critic [[Jonathan Glancey]] refers to the building as an "icon of American design".<ref name="Glancey 2013"/> Additionally, in 2007, the Empire State Building was first on the AIA's List of [[America's Favorite Architecture]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |title=America's FavoriteArchitecture |url=https://www.npr.org/documents/2007/feb/buildings/150buildings.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2017 |publisher=NPR |archive-date=September 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920005830/http://www.npr.org/documents/2007/feb/buildings/150buildings.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Empire State Building has been hailed as an example of a "[[Wonders of the World|wonder of the world]]" due to the massive effort expended during construction.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=19}} ''[[The Washington Star]]'' listed it as part of one of the "seven wonders of the modern world" in 1931, while ''[[Holiday (magazine)|Holiday]]'' magazine wrote in 1958 that the Empire State's height would be taller than the combined heights of the [[Eiffel Tower]] and the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]].{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=19}} The [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] also declared the building "A Modern Civil Engineering Wonder of the United States" in 1958<ref name="ASCE Metropolitan Section" /> and one of the [[Seven Wonders of the Modern World]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 19, 2010 |title=American Society of Civil Engineers Seven Wonders |url=http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802060056/http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 |archive-date=August 2, 2010 |access-date=August 30, 2010 |publisher=Asce.org }}</ref> Ron Miller, in a 2010 book, also described the Empire State Building as one of the "seven wonders of engineering".<ref>{{cite book |last=Miller |first=Ron |title=Seven Wonders of Engineering |publisher=Ebsco Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7613-5989-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R0nN1h_1e7YC&pg=PA15 |access-date=October 25, 2017 |pages=7–15 }}</ref> It has often been called the [[Eighth Wonder of the World]] as well, an appellation that it has held since shortly after opening.<ref name="Dupre 2013"/><ref name="Daily Sentinel 1931"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Judith |title=Empire State Building: The 8Th World Wonder – A History in Photos |website=ABC News |date=May 1, 2012 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/05/the-8th-world-wonder/ |access-date=October 25, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054240/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/05/the-8th-world-wonder/ |archive-date=October 26, 2017 }}</ref> The panels installed in the lobby in 1963 reflected this, showing the seven original wonders alongside the Empire State Building.<ref name="Bosworth 1984"/> The Empire State Building also became the standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures globally, both natural and human-made.<ref>See, for instance: {{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/egypt-suezcanal-ship-singapore/singapore-transport-minister-says-suez-block-may-disrupt-supplies-to-region-idUSL4N2LN38C |title=Singapore Transport Minister Says Suez Block May Disrupt Supplies to Region |work=Reuters |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |quote=A container ship, almost as long as the Empire State Building is high, is blocking transit in both directions through the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping channels for oil and grain and other trade linking Asia and Europe. |postscript=none |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321184850/https://www.reuters.com/article/egypt-suezcanal-ship-singapore/singapore-transport-minister-says-suez-block-may-disrupt-supplies-to-region-idUSL4N2LN38C |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coral-reef-discovery-taller-than-empire-state-building-australia-great-barrier-reef/ |title=Massive coral reef taller than the Empire State Building found off Australian coast |first=Sophie |last=Lewis |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2020 |postscript=none |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715194806/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coral-reef-discovery-taller-than-empire-state-building-australia-great-barrier-reef/ |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=https://shenandoahcountryq102.iheart.com/content/2018-03-28-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-is-size-of-empire-state-building/ |title=World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Size of Empire State Building |publisher=[[iHeart Media]] |date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531201151/https://shenandoahcountryq102.iheart.com/content/2018-03-28-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-is-size-of-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The building has also inspired replicas. The [[New York-New York Hotel and Casino]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]], contains the "Empire Tower",<ref name="New York-New York">{{cite web |title=New York-New York |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/122180/new-york-new-york-las-vegas-nv-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321211318/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/122180/new-york-new-york-las-vegas-nv-usa |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=March 23, 2022 |website=Emporis }}</ref> a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building.<ref name="Goldberger 1997">{{Cite news |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=January 15, 1997 |title=New York-New York, It's a Las Vegas Town |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/15/nyregion/new-york-new-york-it-s-a-las-vegas-town.html |access-date=August 18, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609231254/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/15/nyregion/new-york-new-york-it-s-a-las-vegas-town.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Chicago Tribune 1997">{{cite web |date=January 3, 1997 |title=New York Looms Large in Las Vegas |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-01-03-9701040154-story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322165728/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-01-03-9701040154-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A portion of the hotel's interior was also designed to resemble the Empire State Building's interior.<ref name="Goldberger 1997" />

===In media===
{{Main|Empire State Building in popular culture}}

As an icon of New York City, the Empire State Building has been featured in various films, books, TV shows, and video games. According to the building's official website, more than 250 movies contain depictions of the Empire State Building.<ref name=esb-pr/> In his book about the building, John Tauranac writes that its first documented appearance in popular culture was ''Swiss Family Manhattan'', a 1932 children's story by [[Christopher Morley]].{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=24}} A year later, the film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' depicted [[King Kong|Kong]], a giant [[stop motion]] ape that climbs the Empire State Building during the film's climax,{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=25}}{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=72}}{{sfn|Fodor's|2010|p=153}} bringing the building into the popular imagination.<ref name="Reynolds p. 291" />{{sfn|Fodor's|2010|p=153}} Later movies such as ''[[An Affair to Remember]]'' (1957), ''[[Sleepless in Seattle]]'' (1993), and ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' (1996) also prominently featured the building.{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=73}}<ref name="esb-pr">{{cite web |title=TV & Movies |website=Empire State Building |url=http://www.esbnyc.com/pr-pop-culture/tv-movies |access-date=October 22, 2017 }}</ref> The building has also been featured in other works, such as "[[Daleks in Manhattan]]", a 2007 episode of the TV series ''[[Doctor Who]]'';{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=73}} and ''[[Empire (1964 film)|Empire]]'', an eight-hour black-and-white [[silent film]] by [[Andy Warhol]],{{sfn|Langmead|2009|p=73}} which was later added to the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[National Film Registry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/descriptions-and-essays/ |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |website=[[National Film Preservation Board]] |access-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304022437/https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/descriptions-and-essays/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Throughout its history, the Empire State Building has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries to visit the observation deck. From celebrities like [[Taylor Swift]] and [[Zendaya]] to royalty such as [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince William]], the Empire State Building hosts notable figures every year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aska |first=Jelena |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Kylie Jenner And 19 Other Celebs Spotted Visiting New York's Empire State Building |url=https://www.thetravel.com/kylie-jenner-and-19-other-celebs-spotted-visiting-new-yorks-empire-state-building/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=TheTravel |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223220006/https://www.thetravel.com/kylie-jenner-and-19-other-celebs-spotted-visiting-new-yorks-empire-state-building/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Empire State Building Run-Up===
The Empire State Building Run-Up, a foot race from ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck, has been held annually since 1978.{{sfn|Tauranac|2014|p=27}} It is organized by [[NYCRUNS]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colaizzo |first=Pete |date=February 8, 2016 |title=Empire Stair Building: Rhinebeck Runner Climbs Unusual Feat |language=en-US |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |url=https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/recreational/2016/02/08/empire-stair-building-rhinebeck-runner-climbs-unusual-feat/80025128/ |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031231853/https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/recreational/2016/02/08/empire-stair-building-rhinebeck-runner-climbs-unusual-feat/80025128/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its participants are referred to both as runners and as climbers, and are often [[tower running]] enthusiasts. The race covers a vertical distance of {{cvt|1050|ft|m}} and takes in 1,576 steps. The record time is 9&nbsp;minutes and 33&nbsp;seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclist [[Paul Crake]] in 2003, at a climbing rate of {{cvt|6593|ft|0}} per hour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyrr.org/races/pro/esbru/07story01.asp |title=NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up Crowns Dold and Walsham as Champions |date=February 6, 2007 |work=New York Road Runners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112650/http://www.nyrr.org/races/pro/esbru/07story01.asp |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=July 10, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_specialevents_runup_previous.cfm |title=Past Race Winners |publisher=Empire State Building |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102185933/http://esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_specialevents_runup_previous.cfm |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |access-date=July 10, 2010 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|New York City|New York (state)|Architecture}}
* [[Early skyscrapers]]
* [[List of buildings with 100 floors or more]]
* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in New York City]]
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets]]
* [[List of tallest buildings by U.S. state]]
* [[List of tallest freestanding steel structures]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets]]
* [[NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
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* {{cite book |last=Rasenberger |first=Jim |title=High Steel: The Daring Men Who Built the World's Greatest Skyline, 1881 to the Present |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-06-174675-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XDSxwPx-yJ4C |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006203925/https://books.google.com/books?id=XDSxwPx-yJ4C |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Donald |title=The Architecture of New York City: Histories and Views of Important Structures, Sites, and Symbols |publisher=J. Wiley |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-471-01439-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/architectureofne0000reyn |url-access=subscription |oclc=45730295}}
* {{cite web |last=Robins |first=Anthony W. |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2000.pdf |publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission |date=May 19, 1981 |title=Empire State Building |ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981}} |access-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224142244/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2000.pdf |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Robins |first=Anthony W. |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2001.pdf |publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission |date=May 19, 1981 |title=Empire State Building Interior |ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission Interior|1981}} |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322201307/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2001.pdf |url-status=live}}
* {{cite New York 1930}}
* {{cite book |last=Taranath |first=B.S. |title=Structural Analysis and Design of Tall Buildings: Steel and Composite Construction |publisher=CRC Press |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4398-5090-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PXnRBQAAQBAJ}}
* {{cite book |title=The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark |url=https://archive.org/details/empirestatebuild0000taur |url-access=registration |last=Tauranac |first=John |author-link=John Tauranac |publisher=Scribner |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-684-19678-7}}
* {{cite book |title=Thirteen Months to Go: The Creation of the Empire State Building |last=Wagner |first=Geraldine B. |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-59223-105-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Willis |first=Carol |author-link=Carol Willis (architectural historian) |title=Form Follows Finance: Skyscrapers and Skylines in New York and Chicago |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |year=1995 |isbn=978-1-56898-044-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ITT7GXSQnIC}}
* {{cite book |title=Building the Empire State |last1=Willis |first1=Carol |last2=Friedman |first2=Donald |publisher=W.W. Norton |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-393-73030-2}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Construction: Building the Impossible |last=Aaseng |first=Nathan |publisher=The Oliver Press, Inc. |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-881508-59-5 |pages=38–39 |url=https://archive.org/details/constructionbuil00aase}}
* {{cite book |author-link=Judith Dupré |last=Dupré |first=Judith |date=2013 |title=Skyscrapers: A History of the World's Most Extraordinary Buildings-Revised and Updated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-bXwAEACAAJ |publisher=Hachette/Black Dog & Leventhal |pages=36–37 |isbn=978-1-57912-942-2}}
* {{cite book |title=The Empire State Building |last=James |first=Theodore Jr. |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1975 |isbn=978-0-06-012172-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/empirestatebuild0000jame}}
* {{cite book |title=Nearest Thing to Heaven: The Empire State Building and American Dreams |last=Kingwell |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Kingwell |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-300-10622-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/nearestthingtohe0000king}}
* {{cite book |title=Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon |last=Pacelle |first=Mitchell |publisher=Wiley |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-471-40394-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/empire00mitc}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|wikt=Empire State Building|commons=Category:Empire State Building|b=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|n=no|voy=Empire State Building|d=Q9188|display=Empire State Building}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/empire-state-building/261 Empire State Building] on [[CTBUH]] Skyscraper Center
* [https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/search/index?utf8=✓&keywords=Empire+State+Building# Collection of pictures of the Empire State Building]
* [http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?parent_id=131032 Empire State Building under construction (1930–1931)] at the [[New York Public Library]]
* [https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/3460549/ Empire State Building archive, circa 1930–1969], [[Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library]], [[Columbia University]]

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{{S-ttl|title=[[History of the world's tallest structures|World's tallest freestanding structure]]|years=1931–1967}}
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{{S-ttl|title=[[Skyscraper#History of the tallest skyscrapers|Tallest building in the world]]|years=1931–1970}}
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{{S-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings in the United States|Tallest building in the United States]]|years=1931–1970}}
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{{S-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings in New York City|Tallest building in New York City]]|years=1931–1972}}
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{{S-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings in New York City|Tallest building in New York City]]|years=2001–2012}}
{{S-aft|after=[[One World Trade Center]] (current)}}
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