The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It stands in the middle of New York City and rises 1,454 feet into the sky, including its antenna. When it opened in 1931, it was the tallest building on Earth. Millions of visitors ride to the top each year to enjoy the amazing view.

Built in Record Time

The Empire State Building was built in just 410 days. That is about one year and two months! At the busiest times, about 3,400 workers were on the job each day. They added about four and a half floors every week. It was an amazing feat of speed and teamwork.

An Iconic Landmark

The Empire State Building has appeared in more than 250 movies and TV shows. Its top floors light up in different colors for holidays and special events. On a clear day, you can see five states from the observation deck on the 86th floor. The building has 73 elevators and 1,872 steps from the bottom to the top.

Fun Facts

• The Empire State Building was built during the Great Depression, a time when many people needed jobs.
• Lightning strikes the building about 23 times each year.
• Every year, runners race up the 1,576 stairs to the 86th floor in a contest called the Empire State Building Run-Up.

Did You Know?

The building's antenna was originally planned as a place to dock airships, like giant blimps. But strong winds at the top made it too dangerous, so the idea was dropped.