From “Empty State Building” to International Icon
Does the Empire State Building really need an introduction? For over 80 years, the lofty skyscraper has been one of New York City’s largest icons (maybe only overshadowed in terms of popularity by the Statue of Liberty). Its art deco facade ist so iconic, that it is hard to mistake for any other building in the big apple, or even the world.
However, the Empire State wasn’t always the popular attraction it is today. In the beginning, the skyscraper on Fifth Avenue was also nicknamed the Empty State Building, since most of the offices were empty after it opened until the 1950s. But the building quickly became friends and today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Prior to the construction of the World Trade Center, the Empire State was the city’s tallest building at 1,454 feet for many decades before sadly regaining that record on September 11, 2001. Since 200? the newly built One World Trade Center trumped the Empire state and relegated it to second place among the tallest buildings in New York.
Construction of the building started in 1930 and took only one year to complete.
Empire State Building Observation Deck
New York looks even more amazing from above than it does from the ground. To get an overview of the cosmopolitan metropolis, you have to climb a full 102 floors, where the viewing platform of the Empire State Building awaits you.
Tickets to the Empire State Observatory
Seeing Manhattan from above is a sight to behold!
