Construction on the art-deco inspired Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930, St. Patricks Day. It cost almost $25 million to build; the onset of the Great Depression actually sliced the anticipated costs in half. The building stands at 1,454 feet (443.2 meters), has 103 floors, 6,500 windows, 73 elevators, and a maintenance and administrative staff of about 250. There are two observatories reachable by high speed elevators: the 86th floor observatory (about 1,050 feet/320 meters) and the 102nd floor observatory; both are open from 8 A.M. to 2 A.M. 365 days a year. The Empire State Building, located at 350 Fifth Avenue, also features a self-guided audio tour. As of 2007, approximately 20,000 employees work at the Empire State Building; it is one of the only buildings in the world to have its own zip code.
The building was the tallest in the world for 41 years before it was surpassed by the North Tower of the World Trade Center. After the September 11 attacks, the Empire State Building is once again the tallest building in New York City and the second highest building in the United Statesonly Chicagos Sears Tower is taller. The building was designated a...