Top 10 Interesting Facts About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world. Forty years ago, there were no taller buildings than this one. Even today, though it no longer holds the title for height, it remains a symbol of New York City’s grandeur and glory. The iconic building, with 102 floors, was completed in 1931. Here are 10 incredible facts about this unique structure that you may not know:

1. The fastest-constructed skyscraper in the world.
   The skyscraper was built at a pace of 4 floors per week and was fully completed in just 1 year and 45 days.
2. It has a secret observation deck.
   Average visitors can access the observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, though for an extra fee. Few New Yorkers know about a hidden door on the 102nd floor that leads even higher. Moses Gates, in his book Hidden Cities, shares his experience of visiting the 103rd floor, where he was more impressed by the 16 memorial plaques dedicated to the War of Independence than by the view.
3. The original plan included a dirigible docking station on the roof.
   There’s a common misconception that dirigibles landed on the roof of the Empire State Building, spurred by a famous photo of an airship hovering above it. However, the photo was staged, and in reality, docking dirigibles at such a height would be impossible due to strong winds.
4. The top of the building is equipped with lights and spotlights, allowing it to change colors for significant events.
   The first time the beacon on the building was lit was in 1932 to celebrate Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election as president of the United States. Interestingly, during bird migration periods, the lights are turned off after midnight to prevent the birds, disoriented by the bright lights, from colliding with the building.
5. A popular site for suicides.
   Sadly, many people seeking to end their lives have contributed to the building’s notoriety. The first suicide occurred when a construction worker jumped off the building on the day of his dismissal. By 1947, a tall fence had been erected around the observation deck after five suicide attempts in the first three weeks of its opening. One of the most infamous cases was Evelyn McHale, who jumped in 1947 and tragically landed on a United Nations Assembly car.

   A photo of her lifeless body went viral around the world. Another well-known attempt was made by Elvita Adams in 1979; she jumped from the 86th floor but was miraculously blown back onto the 85th floor ledge by a gust of wind, surviving with only a broken hip. Over the years, around 30 suicides have occurred at the Empire State Building, despite safety measures.

6. A plane crashed into the building in 1945.
   On a foggy morning, a bomber pilot flying too low accidentally crashed into the skyscraper, creating a hole in the building and causing an explosion that killed 14 people. The repairs to the building cost around $1 million.
7. Annual races up the stairs.
   Each year, the Empire State Building holds stair races to the 86th floor, and anyone can participate. Contestants must climb more than 1,500 steps. The record, set by professional Australian athlete Paul Crake in 2003, remains unbeaten at 9 minutes and 33 seconds.
8. A favorite spot for weddings.
   About 50 weddings are held each year on the famous observation deck in New York.
9. There are 73 elevators in the building.
   This large number of elevators highlights the scale of the Empire State Building. They can reach the top floor in just one minute and transport around 10,000 people per hour.
10. It regained its title as the tallest building in New York after the 2001 tragedy.
    After the World Trade Center towers were built, the Empire State Building lost its status as New York’s tallest building. However, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the destruction of the Twin Towers, it once again became the city’s tallest structure.