Empire State Building: Height, History & More!

06 May, 2025

Can a single structure encapsulate the spirit of an entire city? The Empire State Building, a towering testament to human ambition and architectural ingenuity, has done just that for New York City for almost a century.

Rising majestically in Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building isn't merely a skyscraper; it's a symbol, a landmark, and a vital organ in the city's sprawling anatomy. Its silhouette, a familiar presence in countless movies, photographs, and advertisements, is instantly recognizable worldwide. Located on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, the building's address is as iconic as the structure itself. Its enduring appeal lies not just in its physical dimensions but in the narratives it holds, the history it embodies, and the sheer audacity of its construction.

Aspect	Details
Name	The Empire State Building
Location	Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (Fifth Avenue at 34th Street)
Construction Start Date	March 17, 1930
Completion Date	May 1, 1931
Architects	Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Structural Engineer	Starrett Brothers and Eken
Stories	102
Usable Stories	86 (lowest)
Height to Roof	1,250 feet (381 meters)
Height with Antenna	1,454 feet (443.2 meters)
Former Tallest in the World	Yes, from 1931 to 1971
Current Tallest in NYC	4th
Current Tallest in the US	6th
World Ranking	43rd tallest tower in the world
Primary Use	Office Space, Observation Decks, Broadcast Antenna
Key Feature	The first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall.
Official Website	www.esbnyc.com

From its inception, the Empire State Building was designed to break records. It wasn't just built; it was engineered for superlatives. Completed in a remarkable 1 year and 45 days, the speed of its construction during the Great Depression was a feat of engineering and a boost to the city. The building used a steel frame clad in limestone and granite. The structure's total height, including its iconic antenna, is a staggering 1,454 feet (443.2 meters). Even without the antenna, the roof height itself is a notable 1,250 feet (381 meters), a mark which defines the skyscraper museums use of the term "supertall".

The building's height is often cited as 1,250 feet to the 102nd floor, with an additional 204 feet for the pinnacle, or spire, which extends to the full height. This iconic antenna is not just a structural element; it houses broadcasting equipment, playing a critical role in the citys communications infrastructure. The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world until the completion of the World Trade Center in 1971, and after its collapse at the September 11, 2001 attacks, it once again became the city's tallest. While it has since been surpassed in height, the Empire State Building remains a potent symbol of resilience and the human drive to reach for the sky.

The architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the masterminds behind the building, adopted the Art Deco style, giving it a distinctive aesthetic that remains timeless. The building's streamlined design, the use of ornamentation, and the stepped-back setbacks are hallmarks of the era. It's a perfect example of how form and function can harmoniously coexist, a testament to the ambition of the era and the skills of the craftsmen who realized the vision. During this period, a total of 44 skyscrapers over 492 feet (150 m) were built in New York City alone, the Empire State Building being the crown jewel in this collection, and at the time, the world.

The structure held the record as the world's tallest building for over 40 years until it was surpassed in height by the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1972. Even now, it is one of the most famous landmarks in the US. The skyscraper is comprised of 102 stories and measures 380 meters from ground level to the roof, with 85 stories of commercial and office space (2,158,000 square feet). Visitors can get a breathtaking view from its 86th and 102nd-floor observatories.

The construction of the Empire State Building was an incredible engineering feat, particularly considering it was built during the Great Depression. The project provided jobs and offered a beacon of hope in a time of economic hardship. The buildings rapid construction, with a workforce peaking at over 3,400 workers, was a testament to the determination and resourcefulness of its creators. The building's impact went beyond economics; it offered a symbolic lift to a city that was struggling.

The buildings impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. From its starring role in the iconic film King Kong to countless appearances in other movies, television shows, and advertisements, the Empire State Building has become a symbol of New York City itself. It has captured the attention of young and old alike and continues to inspire awe and admiration. The image of the building has appeared in hundreds of ads and movies, solidifying its place as a global icon. The annual lighting of the spire, often themed to commemorate events or causes, further enhances its significance.

The building's current use is multi-faceted. It's primarily office space, housing numerous businesses, and it features world-renowned observatories. The observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors offer panoramic views of the city, attracting millions of tourists annually. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, in a bustling part of the city with a wealth of restaurants and shops.

The Empire State Building stands as a landmark in midtown manhattan, and as a symbol of the city's indomitable spirit. Its height is 1,250 feet (381 meters), excluding the television antenna mast, and it has a legal name.

The standard height of the building is 381 meters, and the total height is 443 meters with an antenna. The skyscraper reaches 1,454 feet, or 443.2 meters, if you include its antenna. The height of the empire state building is 1250 ft. To convert this height to meters, we can use the conversion factor:

1 ft = 0.3048 m.

So, to find the height in meters, we multiply 1250 ft by the conversion factor:

1250 ft x 0.3048 m/ft = 381 m.

Expressing this height in scientific notation with three significant figures, we have:

The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet (380 m) and stands a total of 1,454 ft (443.2 m) tall, including its antenna. And during this period 44 skyscrapers over 492 feet (150 m) were built including the Singer Building, Met Life Tower, Woolworth Building, 40 Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building, each of which was the tallest in the world at the time of its completion, the last remaining so for forty years.

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