Empire State Building Opens
The Empire State Building opened in New York City as the world's tallest building
April 11, 1931
Racing to the Sky
The Empire State Building opened on May 1, 1931, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and immediately became the tallest building in the world — a title it held for 40 years until the World Trade Center surpassed it in 1970. Rising 1,454 feet (443 meters) to the top of its antenna, the building has 102 floors and was constructed in just 410 days — an astonishing pace even by modern standards. It was built during the Great Depression, providing jobs for thousands of workers at a time of severe unemployment. At peak construction, 3,400 workers labored on the site daily.
An Engineering Marvel Under Pressure
The Empire State Building's speed of construction was achieved through extraordinary organization. Steel was ordered in small batches to match the precise construction schedule — there was no room on the Manhattan site for large stockpiles. Workers often labored six or seven days a week. The structural steel frame rose at a rate of more than four floors per week at peak pace. Five workers died during construction — remarkably few given the scale, height, and era of the project. The building was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon in the Art Deco style, and its distinctive stepped silhouette became one of the most recognized shapes in the world.
A New York Landmark Forever
When it opened, the Empire State Building struggled to find tenants during the Depression, earning the nickname "Empty State Building." But it became profitable over time and is now one of the most valuable commercial properties in the world. Its observation decks attract millions of visitors annually. The building's exterior lights change color to mark holidays and events. King Kong climbed its fictional version in 1933. It has appeared in countless films, television shows, and photographs. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was its nearest rival in iconic status — two towers that define two cities and two eras of construction ambition.