In the 30s of the 20th century, the Empire State Building in New York was considered the eighth wonder of the world, but even now it is difficult for architects to come up with something new that could amaze the world in the same way. This structure was considered the tallest in the world for 40 years. We will tell you about unique facts - for example, there is a person who, after visiting the Empire State Building and the tragic event that happened there, got into the Guinness Book of Records. You will also find out in what an incredible number of days the business center was built and which floor you need to climb to see the city from a bird's eye view.
Construction history
They began to build a high-rise at a time when skyscrapers were erected on the same site by other investors who wanted their houses to be recognized as the height of perfection. Note that this was the time of the Great Depression, when famine reigned in the country. Businessmen, however, staged a competition: just then, other grandiose buildings appeared - 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building.
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But the imperial building turned out to be the winner not only in terms of height, but also in terms of construction time: the building was built in just 410 days - it grew by 4.5 floors every week. There was such a moment during the construction of the tower: the building was built on 14 floors in just 10 days. The height of the Empire State Building is 381 m, and if we have in mind the antenna towering above it - 443.2 m.
At the same time, the investors - businessmen John Raskob and Pierre du Pont - spent 2 times less money than it was planned: they were ready to fork out $ 43 million (now this amount would be approximately $ 500 million), but in the end they kept within 24.7 million dollars (about 370 million at the moment).
Millionaires found an architect in the office of Shreve, Lamb and Harmon: the project - in just 2 weeks - was developed by a certain William F. Lamb. According to rumors, he was teased by other employees of the architectural office, offering to design the tallest building that will not fall after the completion of construction work. Lubm distinguished himself - the house he invented did not fall even after the invasion of King Kong and other events.
Construction was completed on May 1, 1931, but the house appeared in all its glory in November 1932 to commemorate Franklin Delano Roosevelt's victory in the presidential election. The building sparkled: then for the first time to decorate houses, they used illumination, which is now used in all large cities of the world.
Interesting Facts
The Empire State Building is primarily a business center. The offices of about 1000 companies are located here, employing more than 20 thousand people. To have a room in this building now is the best recommendation for a businessman, although it used to cause smiles (it was called Empty State Building).
The building has 102 floors, the total area of all premises located in it is approximately 257 thousand square meters, it has 6500 windows. According to the people who climbed to the very top, the path takes 1,860 steps. The observation deck, from which you can see the entire city, is located on the 86th floor. From this height, all areas of the city are perfectly visible - with its parks, bridges, walking tourists and yellow taxis. The most impressive sight, which literally takes everyone's breath, is observed after sunset: the illuminated streets viewed from a height in the evening resemble the Milky Way.
On the roof of the building there are antennas of all the country's TV companies. The architects, creating their project, also conceived so that aircraft could land here (at that time they were airships) - the mooring platform was planned to be created between the 86th and 102nd floors. This project was not destined to come true: airships never landed on the roof of the Empire State Building. This was caused by strong air currents at the height of the building - they carried away all objects approaching them. However, people gave up on airships as a vehicle very soon.
Empire State Building in cinema
The most famous building in New York has repeatedly come to the attention of filmmakers. The most famous shots are, of course, in the 1933 film about King Kong. The Empire State Building has appeared in more than 90 films. But this building also received a bad name: it was very popular with suicides. More than 30 people have jumped from the observation deck of the tower on the 86th floor during its existence.
Fortunately, not all attempts ended in tragedy: for example, one of the potential suicides after a fatal jump received only a hip fracture. This happened in 1979: a 29-year-old girl, who jumped off the observation deck, was thrown by a gust of wind onto the ledge of the 85th floor. From there she was removed by the building guards, who then called an ambulance.
The skyscraper survived the impact of the plane (unlike the collapsed twin towers on 11.11.01). In 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into it. He fell into the span between the 79th and 80th floors. Then 14 people died, but many more were saved. One of the lucky ones even got into the Guinness Book of Records: the man survived the fall of the elevator, which was on the 75th floor at the time of the disaster.
Observation deck on the 86th floor
73 elevators will take those wishing to enjoy the views of New York to the observation deck of the building (86th floor). On the 80th floor (the journey will take no more than a minute) there is a souvenir shop. After inspecting and shopping for souvenirs, as well as the employees' story about how the building was built, tourists go to another elevator to climb to the very top (this can be done on foot - using the stairs).
Note that the way there by high-speed elevator takes only one minute, and you can always go up here: the site is open from 08.00 to 02.00 every day. You will have to pay for the entrance - $ 19, a child ticket costs $ 14. After that, a panorama of five states opens up in front of tourists.
The building is also distinguished by a unique lighting system: it changes depending on the holidays. On US Independence Day, the color of the building resembles the American flag - it turns blue-red-white; on a holiday celebrated by all Irish people - St. Patrick's Day - the skyscraper is painted green, and on Columbus's Day - green-white-red.
The skyscraper is visited by more than a thousand people a day. Empire State Building address: New York, Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, 35 (Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, 35). Metro 34th St - Herald Sq (B, D, F, M)
Some more interesting places in the USA are Bad Lands, Carlsbad Caves and Glacier Park.
