A History of the Empire State Building

Rising 102 stories in New York City, the Empire State Building truly is a New York landmark. It is located at the intersection of West 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. It takes its name from the nickname given to New York State. For 40 years it was considered the tallest building in the state, until it was replaced by the World Trade Center North Tower. When the North Tower fell during the terrorist attacks in 2001, once again the Empire State building became the highest structure in the area.

The Empire State Building is considered one of modern worlds seven wonders. It has been designated as historic landmark It was likewise ranked at the top of Americas Favorite Architecture List as prepared by the AIA. Empire State Building is owned by W&H Properties.

The location where the Empire State Building stands was first developed in the 18th century as John Thomson Farm. During the said period, a stream ran along the area, which emptied the Sunfish Pond which was a block away. The said block was inhabited by Waldorf-Astoria Hotel during the late 19th century. The said place was also a favorite hang out of The Four Hundred, a group of socialites in New York. It was also very accessible as businessmen can always get New York limousine services or even Connecticut limousine services and New Jersey limousine services.

Gregory Johnson and the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon designed the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building was designed from the top and then down. The site where the building is located was excavated on January 22, 1930, while the construction started during St. Patricks Day of the same year. Some 3,400 workers, most of them from Europe, joined hands with Mohawk iron workers in the construction of the building. Official accounts state that there were 5 people who died during construction. The grandchildren of then Governor Smith led the ceremonial ribbon cutting on May 1, 1931.

Opening of the Empire State Building coincided with very difficult times caused by the Great Depression. Thus most of its office space was left unrented. Since there were not enough renters, the building was dubbed Empty State Building. It was only in the 1950s when the building became profitable.

One of the most unfortunate events to happen at the building was a plane crash in 1945. A plane crashed accidentally into the northern part of the building, in between the 80th and 79th floors. The accident resulted in a fire that lasted for more than 40 minutes.

The building also has had its share of suicides. Over the past decades, more than 30 individuals have committed suicide by jumping at the peak of the building. First case of suicide in the building happened even prior to the completion of the building, when a worker who was laid off jumped off the top of the Empire State Building. The fence that surrounds the observatory fence was made in 1947 after 5 individuals attempted to jump in during a span of three weeks. Empire State Building also had various incidents of suicides in 2004, as well as 2006.

Today, the Empire State Building continues to be a historical landmark. For those who are traveling in the area and want to visit it, you could easily call for NYC limousine services or if you live slightly outside the state, for Connecticut limousine services or New Jersey limousine services.

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