Named for the “Empire state,” New York’s nickname, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for almost 40 years. It was designed in the Art Deco style, a style popular during the 1920s.

 

Fun Facts

• The site of the Empire State Building was a farm for many years.
• In the late 1800s, the Waldorf-Astoria hotel was built on the site, but torn down in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building.
• Architects revised the plans for the building 15 times to ensure that it would be the tallest building in the world.
• More than 3,500 construction workers took 13 months to build the massive Empire State Building. Five workers died during construction. The building opened in 1931.
• The developers had high financial hopes for the building, but offices sat empty because of the Great Depression and World War II. The developers didn’t make a profit until the 1950s.
• The Empire State Building has 102 stories and is 1,454 feet tall. It has two outdoor original observation decks and an indoor one that was added in 2019.
• In 1945, a pilot flying in thick flog accidentally flew into the building, killing 14 people. Four million people visit this famous building every year. It’s an American icon and has appeared in numerous movies, such as Elf, Sleepless in Seattle, and the original King Kong, filmed in 1933.

 

Vocabulary

1. Architect: someone who designs buildings
2. Icon: a well-known symbol

 

Questions and Answers

Question: What is the Empire State Building used for today?

Answer: The Empire State Building is still a prominent office space in Manhattan, as well as a famous tourist destination. It is lit up for various holidays, such as Christmas and the 4th of July.

 

Learn More

See the   Empire State Building lit up to honor police officers.