Empire State Building in New York (USA) - 449 m skyscraper

The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, which has become an icon of New York since its construction. Rising to a height of 381 meters without the antenna, and including it reaching 449 meters, it is a true testament to engineering excellence and the undying ambition of humanity.

History and construction

The Empire State Building was for a long time the tallest building in the world, and its construction was a real challenge that required the involvement of thousands of workers and a huge amount of building materials. The skyscraper was built in a record time of 410 days, an incredible feat even in this day and age. Construction began on March 17, 1930 and ended on April 11, 1931. The official opening took place on May 1, 1931, when President Herbert Hoover turned on the building's lights by pressing a button remotely from Washington.

During construction, 60,000 tons of steel, 5,663 cubic meters of lime and granite, 740 tons of aluminum and stainless steel were used for the external walls, and 10 million bricks and 5,600 cubic meters of stone for the floors, walls and basements. More than 3,400 people worked on it, five of whom lost their lives during the work.

Technical innovations and functionality

The Empire State Building impresses not only with its height, but also with the advanced technology that was used during its construction and subsequent modernization. Electrical installation cables have a total length of approximately 692 km, which shows how extensive the building's infrastructure is. There are also 112 miles of water pipes, 80 central heating pipes, 1,060 miles of telephone cables and 6,514 windows.

The building is also equipped with 73 elevators, including 6 freight elevators, which can transport up to 10,000 people per hour. This makes it extremely functional, especially since the building contains office space for 15,000 people. Moreover, there are 1,575 stairs from the base to the 86th floor, and there are even competitions organized to overcome them as quickly as possible. The record in this field is held by Paul Crake, who ran this distance in 10 minutes and 15 seconds.

Place in culture and tourism

The Empire State Building has become not only an architectural icon, but also an important point on the tourist map of New York. There are observation platforms on floors 86 and 102 which are visited by approximately 4 million people every year. On a clear day, you can see as far as New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

The observatory on the 102nd floor was originally planned as a check-in area for zeppelins docked at the tower. Although this plan was never implemented, the idea itself shows how innovative the designers' approach was.

The Empire State Building is also the site of many events, such as the annual Valentine's Day Wedding Pageant. Each year, 14 couples get married on the observation deck on February 14, becoming members of the Empire State Building Wedding Club and receiving free annual admission to the observatory on their wedding anniversary.

Accidents and events

The history of the Empire State Building is not free from dramatic events. In July 1945, a US B-25 bomber hit the 79th floor of the building, resulting in the death of 14 people. This tragic event became one of the most famous incidents in the history of the building, at the same time emphasizing its strength and solidity of the structure.

It is also worth mentioning that the building was designed as a lightning rod. Every year, approximately 24 lightning strikes strike the lightning rod located on top of the structure. Due to static electricity accumulating at the top of the building, couples kissing there may sometimes feel a slight spark.

Contemporaneity and importance

After the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in 2001, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York until One World Trade Center was completed in April 2012. The building is still one of the most important landmarks in the city and the headquarters of many companies, such as LinkedIn, Shutterstock, Coty, Bulova, Skanska.

The Empire State Building is also the most photographed building in the world. In 2011, Cornell researchers analyzed millions of Flickr photos and came to this conclusion. This proves how much the building has become embedded in the consciousness of people around the world as a symbol of New York and American architecture.

Summary

The Empire State Building is not only an icon of New York, but also a symbol of human determination and innovation. His story, from planning and construction, through numerous dramatic events, to its contemporary functions and significance, make it one of the most important buildings in the world. Thanks to its extraordinary height, advanced technology and rich history, the Empire State Building continues to attract millions of tourists and remains an important element of the New York landscape. Whether you are a lover of architecture, history or simply a tourist who wants to admire breathtaking views, the Empire State Building will certainly not disappoint.