The Empire State Building is a must-see attraction for visitors to New York City, whether it’s their first or fiftieth time. With over 4 million visitors annually, this iconic structure is one of the world’s most recognizable buildings and a top attraction in the city.

During the late 1920s, New York’s booming economy sparked a competition between builders to create the world’s tallest skyscraper. The Manhattan Company Building (now known as 40 Wall Street) and the Chrysler Building, an elaborate Art Deco structure, were the main contenders. However, when General Motors executive John J. Raskob and former New York Governor Al Smith announced plans for the Empire State Building, the race intensified.

Upon learning of the Empire State Building’s proposed height of 1,000 feet, Walter Chrysler, the creator of the Chrysler Building, modified his plans to include a secret 185-ft.-tall spire that was raised to the top of his skyscraper in just 90 minutes. The addition allowed the Chrysler Building to claim the title of “World’s Tallest Building,” but only briefly.

Upon hearing of the Chrysler Building’s alteration, Raskob and Smith returned to the drawing board and devised an even taller design for the Empire State Building. Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building loomed 1,250 feet over Midtown Manhattan and remained the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years until the first World Trade Center tower was constructed in 1970.

Despite the enormous size of the project, the Empire State Building’s design, planning, and construction took just 20 months from start to finish. After demolishing the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, the previous occupant of the site, contractors Starrett Brothers and Eken used an assembly line process to construct the new skyscraper in a brisk 410 days, with up to 3,400 workers employed daily. At a record pace of 4.5 stories per week, the first 30 stories were completed before certain details of the ground floor were finalized. Although it was finished ahead of schedule and under budget, the construction process resulted in at least five worker fatalities.

Today, the Empire State Building observatory is open every day of the year, offering breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding area. For those who prefer to take in the sights without the expense of a trip to the top, the NYC ferries provide an excellent view of the Manhattan skyline and the Empire State Building.

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