Empire State Building

When you think of New York City, a few things come to mind within a second. The Empire State Building is one of them.

The Empire State Building has got 102 floors and is located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and West 34th Street.

Most people have no idea but, its name is derived from the nickname for the state of New York. It stood as the world's tallest building for more than forty years, from its completion in 1931 until construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower was completed in 1972. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City and New York State.

The skyscraper has one of the most popular outdoor observatories in the world. The 86th floor observation deck offers impressive 360-degree views of the city. On clear days you are able to see 125km ahead. There is a second observation deck on the 102nd floor that is open to the public. It is completely enclosed and much smaller than the first one; it may be closed on high-traffic days. Tourists may pay to visit the observation deck on the 86th floor and an additional amount for the 102nd floor. The lines to enter the observation decks are as legendary as the building itself, it takes around 2 hours. For an extra fee tourists can skip to the front of the line.

In 1964, floodlights were added to illuminate the top of the building at night, in colors chosen to match seasonal and other events (American or not), such as St. Patrick's Day and Christmas. Every September 7th, for example, the top is illuminated of green and yellow due to Brazil’s Independence Day. Another (famous) example is that after the eightieth birthday and subsequent death of Frank Sinatra, the building was bathed in blue light to represent the singer's nickname "Blue Eyes". After the death of actress Fay Wray (King Kong) in late 2004, the building stood in complete darkness for 15 minutes.

Weird information: Over the years, more than thirty people have committed suicide from the top of the building. The first suicide occurred even before its completion, by a worker who had been laid off. The fence around the observatory terrace was put up in 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span. In 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto the 85th floor and left with only a broken hip. The building was also the site of suicides in 2004 and 2006. The most recent suicide was by a lawyer who leapt from the 69th floor on April 13, 2007.

The numbers of the ESB.
Constructed: 1929–1931
Height:
- Antenna/Spire 1,472 ft (448.7 m)
- Roof 1,250 ft (381.0 m)
- Top floor 1,224 ft (373.2 m)
Technical details:
- Floor count 102
- Cost $40,948,900

Fee: 19USD for the 86th floor. +15USD for the 102nd floor.
From 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. (last elevator goes up at 1:15 a.m.)
(212) 736-3100
Official Website for the Empire State Building