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Emblem of New York
At its opening on 1 May 1931, the Empire State Building was the tallest skyscraper in the world. Located in New York at number 350 5th Avenue, it remains the symbol of the twentieth century and its technological prowess. It is also one of the most emblematic buildings of the skyline of the Big Apple. From its 443 meters, including antenna, its light shines on the city.

In the late 1930s, the city of New York is passionate about the competition between two men: Walter Chrysler and John Raskob Jakok. They compete to build the highest skyscraper in the city. The first keeps secret the final height of the tower, which became the Chrysler Building. In 1929, John Raskob bought the parcel from the old Waldorf-Astoria, which was demolished and rebuilt on Park Avenue. He urged architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon who draw the plans. Planned for 80 stories, the building will end in 85, since its competitor, completed in May 1930, was likely to overtake. But Raskob, not comfortable enough, decides to give himself an antenna tower, a sort of hat, which guarantees the ownership of the title of tallest building for some time. Its tower is 381 m against 319 for the Chrysler.

The construction of the building starts March 17, 1930 but already, the teams know they can not achieve the objective of his owner John Raskob. The man wants to beat a double record, the height and speed of building a tower erected in 18 months. To speed up the process, beams, window frames and other components are assembled in a factory Pennsylvania and assembled on site. At the height of its assembly, 3400 workers were present on the site. 57,000 tons of steel were needed to complete the steel skeleton around which is built the tower. On July 21, 1930, the 40th floor and is reached on October 3, the tower has 88. It grows at a rate of four and a half floors per week. In reality, the building will be completed after one year and 45 days of work is November 13, 1930. What an accomplishment for the time.

The Empire State Building was designed in Art Deco full wave. It has no decorations on the walls but its form reflects the strong style: with several levels, like a pyramid. Its elegant facade covered with stone, with large windows for maximum natural light, reflects many of the typical geometric architectural movement. The building comprises a large central cavity, which includes elevators, escalators and the necessary ductwork, which are arranged around the floors. Their size decreases as you go up the tower. It differs from other skyscrapers since its four facades are all visible from the street. Finally, the lobby, also inspired by Art Deco, consists of three floors of colored marble and granite. Its ceiling is decorated with aluminum, platinum and gold leaf.

If he now welcomes tourists and hosts the top companies in its floors, the Empire State Building was not always busy. Worse, his future has been seriously clouded. Its construction has cost 24.7 million dollars in total, John Raskob has disbursed 40.9 million with the purchase of land. And because of the Great Depression that followed the 1929 crisis, half the office is long remained empty. So much so that the building was nicknamed the Empty State Building. Resold by Raskob in 1951 following the financial setbacks and lack of profitability of the project, the building was the center of an unprecedented legal battle. Prudential Trust, which wanted to sell it, was played several American to buy them the famous real estate mogul Donald Trump. It wins in 2000 but following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the building loses its value and ownership changes again in March 2002. Since 2006, the company is owned by W & H Properties.

For 41 years, the Empire State Building remained the tallest building in the world. From 1931 to 1972, he reigned over New York and the world from its 102 floors and its 381 m. In its antenna, that is to say from the ground to the 102nd floor and top floor, it is 320 m. But in 1972, he was dethroned by the twin towers of the World Trade Center, who blithely exceed the height of their 415 and 417 m. Since September 11, 2001 and their collapse, the Empire State Building, found her title of tallest … city. However, the future One World Trade Center, former Freedom Tower, built on the ruins of the World Trade Center, is expected to reach the 541 meters at its completion in 2013. After Willis and Trump Tower Chicago, the Empire State Building remains the third skyscraper highest U.S..

Since its inauguration by President Herbert Hoover on 1 May 1931, at the opening of the World Trade Center in 1972, the Empire State Building was the tallest skyscraper in the world. Its observation deck on the 86th floor sees scroll between 10 and 20,000 people every day. The visitors, who climb the floors with a lift of 76 ultra-fast, enjoy a 360-degree view of Manhattan and its surroundings from the terrace which is 320 m of altitude. A second platform, the 102nd floor, smaller home also curious. Weather permitting, we can see at 130 km radius. Originally, the top of the Empire State Building was topped with a mast for dirigibles hang, the terrace is planned for boarding passengers. But only one airship dwelt September 16, 1931 because after several attempts dangerous, the system was abandoned. The television antenna of the building was added in 1952.

The skyscraper has its share of drama. On July 28, 1945, U.S. B25 bomber piloted by Lieutenant Colonel William Smith goes to Newark Airport. But because of bad weather, dense fog covers the city, the pilot flew with difficulty the island of Manhattan. At 9:49, the camera fits into the 79th floor of the north facade of the building, creating a large hole in 5 m in diameter. The accident caused the explosion of the tank of the aircraft and the burning of part of the building to the 75th floor. As the United States had established the six-day week working to support the effort War, the building was crowded there this Saturday. The crash caused 14 casualties, including 11 people working on the tower. Unfortunately, the Empire regularly makes headlines with the suicide despite protective barriers installed at observation decks. Finally, February 24, 1997, a militant pro-Palestinian fired on the crowd with a firearm since the observation catwalk. The shooting is 8 victims whose assailants. Since then, security measures have been strengthened.

An estimated 110 million people have visited the Empire State Building since it opened to the public. Among them, prestigious personalities like Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro or the footballer Pele. The skyscraper, which was quickly enthralled the crowd with a presence in hundreds of commercials and films, the most famous being the King Kong in 1933. Film fans were also able to contemplate in Superman, and more recently Taxi Driver Independence Day. The building is the subject of a cult with toys and postcards bearing his image. The summit, illumined since 1932, has since 1976 a light color. In 1984, its antenna is colored light to turn at special events. Red for example the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Communist republic. After September 11, 2001, the building finds a renewed interest among tourists for its unique panorama.

Each year, a foot race brings together hundreds of courageous people. Their goal: to climb as quickly as possible the 1576 steps that separate the building’s 86th floor to floor. This race is particularly difficult because of its place: the back stairs of the building are very close. The first race was organized in 1978 and since then has become one of the highlights of the sporting life of New York. On February 2, 2010, the 33rd edition has more passion than 300 participants from 17 countries. The winner, a German aged 25 years, posted a time of 10 minutes and 16 seconds. The first winner, he had taken more than 12 minutes. The absolute record is held by Australian Paul Crake, with 9 minutes and 33 seconds in 2003. But a victim of its success, only selected participants can participate. Some years they are up to a few thousand to apply for 300 seats.

Each Valentine’s Day, 14 pairs of lovers, selected by the love story the most original, marry more than 300 meters high from the 80th floor. The event started in 1994.
The tower owes its name to the name of the State of New York is the Empire State. President George Washington would have given New York and worthy, he said, to host the capital of an empire.
Each year, the building suffered 100 lightning strikes.
It has 1860 steps of the ground floor to the 102nd floor.
The building has 6,500 windows.
Since 1950, the antenna on its roof is used by 19 radio stations and nearly 25 television channels.