Write Empire State Building is not risk-free undertaking. First risk: the excessive length of the story. Translation: we speak of the king of skyscrapers and the facts are inevitably a lot to tell. According to risk banality. Translation: To make matters worse, many of these facts are probably known to most people.
will try to run these risks, immediately invoking the mercy of the reader.
FIGURES EMPIRE
Like any self-respecting skyscraper, the Empire State Building has its own personal identity card. And these numbers are breathtaking.
height 449 meters, placed on 102 plans, the total area of \u200b\u200b204,385 square meters, total weight of about 370,000 tonnes. 6500 windows, 73 elevators, hosted 1000 companies (with a zip code of the custom building). It 'been for over 40 years the tallest building in the world (since 1931, when it opened in 1972, the completion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center). And 'now, since 11 September 2001 and the disappearance of the Twin Towers, the tallest building in the city New York.
CHALLENGE TO SUMMIT
the origin of the Empire State Building is a story of human passions, unbridled ambition, the absolute desire to excel. A challenge by individuals for the conquest of the sky, with no restrictions, no limitations.
This competition has its roots in the twenties, the era of the real estate boom and the vertical development of the city of New York. At the end of that part of the race for the supreme ultimate prize: the title of tallest skyscraper in the city. The three main competitors are: 40 Wall Street (now the Trump Building), the Chrysler Building (wanted and funded by Walter Chrysler, automobile magnate homonym), the Empire State Building.
As you know, winning is the Empire State Building (though the Chrysler Building is always recognized by another title, one of the most elegant high-rise). Manufacturer and financier of the Empire State Building is John J. Raskob, a businessman and manager, financial director of companies such as Du Pont and General Motors. At his side, who serves as Chairman of construction company, the former governor of New York, Alfred E. Smith. The skyscraper, in Art Deco style, is designed by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon in just two weeks. Exceptionally, Then, the speed at realization: the whole building was built in just 410 days, thanks to the work - tireless, courageous, never praised enough - about 3,400 workers, true heroes of the sky.
On 1 May 1931 is the opening day. The official opening of the doors is with a solemn ceremony, during which the U.S. president Herbert Hoover to turn the lights on the building, pushing a button in Washington, DC
Conceived in an era of big business but completed in full post-crisis stock market crash of 1929, the Empire State Building had no beginning, from a strictly business point of view , easy life. With the Great Depression, many of the office spaces of the building were left without tenants, which would earned him, by New Yorkers, the infamous name of "Empty (blank) State Building." In fact, you have to wait fifty years before the building began to generate profits.
A TERRACE ON THE WORLD
The Empire State Building offers a unique tourist attraction with its two observers, placed 86th and 102nd floor, it is possible to enjoy an incomparable view.
The 86th floor observatory is the most famous, are out along the perimeter of the floor, and allows a 360 ° view. The observatory on the 102nd floor (which for some years was closed to the public and may be even temporarily, in days of excessive influx of tourists) is smaller and is fully covered. One hundred and ten million people have ever visited the Empire observers, including many celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth, Lassie and Fidel Castro.
Bright Lights, NEW YORK
Since 1964, the top floors of the Empire State Building is illuminated by colored lights, themed according to events and occurrences. This is a wonderful attraction, only at night in New York has to offer. The colors chosen
for the lights are extremely varied. Are celebrated: festivals and celebrations (eg. Red light-green for the Christmas lights red-white-blue for July 4, Independence Day), major events (eg. All yellow lights, like tennis balls , at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows) special occasions (eg. all red lights in 2004, for 50 years of Ferrari in America, all yellow lights more recently, in 2007, the 100th anniversary of the taxis in New York ) wins the New York sports teams (eg. orange-blue-white light for the New York Knicks, orange and blue lights for the New York Mets).
FOR LOVE LEONA
In the early '90s Leona Helmsley was convicted for tax evasion (by historical events, her comment quoted by an ex-waitress during the process: "We do not pay taxes. Only the little pay taxes") and had to serve 18 months in prison. It so happens that the devoted husband, Harry Helmsley, American real estate market of famous tycoon, was the owner at the time of the Empire State Building. Octogenarian, gravely ill, deeply in love with his Leona, Harry Helmsley ordered that the day of entry into prison Leona lights most famous skyscraper in New York remain unlit. An act of love and sympathy to his woman. So it was, and for a moment the skyline of Manhattan did not seem really the same.
CLIMB ON FOOT
Every year, the Empire State Building has a very special sporting event: the Empire State Building Run-Up, running, walking up the stairs of the skyscraper, in 1576 steps to the finish to place '86 floor. The competition was introduced for the first time in 1978 and since then has always held regularly. The 2007 edition was won, among men the German Thomas Dold in a time of 10 minutes and 25 seconds, and among women the Australian Suzy Walsham with a time of 13 minutes and 12 seconds.
And they lived happily ever
the Empire State Building you can even get married. Every year, Valentine's Day, 14 couples swear eternal love and fidelity in a romantic ceremony at the 80th floor, so come join the Empire State Building Wedding Club To be selected among couples, future spouses must apply to the direction of the building, explaining why he want to get married at the Empire, the pairs are then chosen on the basis of factors such as originality, style, uniqueness of their request and their motives.
ACCIDENT IN FOG
Saturday, July 28, 1945 the Empire State Building was the scene of a serious accident. At 9:49 am, a plane military, exactly a B-25 bomber, crashed into the north side of the building, near the 79th floor. The origin of the accident, adverse weather conditions, in particular a very thick fog, which led the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel William Smith, to come down to try to recover part of visibility, in this case, however, the plane ended suddenly up being among the skyscrapers of Manhattan. After miraculously avoided the collision with other skyscrapers, the B-25 could not go back and collided with the Empire State. As a result of the crash, the fuel of the aircraft caught fire and blazed a violent fire, which affected the plane incident (the 79th, in fact) and some floors below, up to 75 °. It took 40 minutes to douse the flames. 14 people were killed in the incident (including the three soldiers on board the aircraft). The building also suffered damage only temporary and not likely to undermine its structural integrity.
E 'in this dramatic context that Betty Lou Oliver, involuntarily, "the company performed" that even today is the presence in the Guinness Book of Records: survived, one of the elevators inside the building, a fall of 75 plans!
THE LEGEND OF KING KONG
The Empire State Building became known worldwide because of what might be called a cinematic interpretation of the exception. In 1933 it was one of the "stars" of the film King Kong. The image of the ape that challenges men and their air clinging to the top of the tower remains one of the icons of world cinema.
Since then, the Empire State Building has appeared in many films and other entertainment products, including a remake of King Kong himself, dated 2005 (in the remake, that of 1976, the final scene takes place instead on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center).
JUMPS ELVITA ADAMS
In a famous episode of the sitcom The Jeffersons, George and Louise Jefferson experience moments of anxiety because they fear that Florence, their nice home, wants to commit suicide by jumping off the Empire State Building, so it will not be (in fact, Florence had never had the intention) and the episode will end in joy as always.
Unfortunately the reality, as often happens, is more bitter than fiction. Over the years, more than thirty people who have lost their lives by jumping into the empty upper floors of the building. The last in order of time is a lawyer, committed suicide Friday, April 13, 2007 with a flight from the 69th floor. Fortunately, the side of those who died, There are also some who have tried but have failed.
On 22 December 1977 a boy of 26 years, Thomas Helms, threw Observatory 86th floor, but he did not give enough strength to the outside and it fell back below 85 on the open space floor, still alive and kicking. More amazing still
what happened Dec. 2, 1979. The twenty-nine Elvita Adams attempted suicide by throwing herself from 86 th floor, this time it was decided to launch out and would have been enough to get her to the ground, except that a sudden gust of wind took it in the air and bounced inward making "land" 85th floor and save lives. Miss Adams escaped with a broken rib.
MEDIA CENTER
The outdoor observatory, as mentioned, is 86th floor. From that point on, the last 16 floors of the Empire State are occupied by the spiral tower. Originally conceived as a mooring place for dirigibles, was never used for that purpose. At least not in the real world. In the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, in fact, a huge German airship Hindenburg flies over a New York thirties and is still covered with snow on top of the Empire State Building. But this is science fiction.
In fact, the Spiral Tower skyscraper is used for another important function: on top of it is in fact the antenna for broadcasting, about 50 meters high. All major TV and radio (including CBS, NBC, ABC) broadcast their programs in New York radiating hence their signal.
will try to run these risks, immediately invoking the mercy of the reader.
FIGURES EMPIRE
Like any self-respecting skyscraper, the Empire State Building has its own personal identity card. And these numbers are breathtaking.
height 449 meters, placed on 102 plans, the total area of \u200b\u200b204,385 square meters, total weight of about 370,000 tonnes. 6500 windows, 73 elevators, hosted 1000 companies (with a zip code of the custom building). It 'been for over 40 years the tallest building in the world (since 1931, when it opened in 1972, the completion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center). And 'now, since 11 September 2001 and the disappearance of the Twin Towers, the tallest building in the city New York.
CHALLENGE TO SUMMIT
the origin of the Empire State Building is a story of human passions, unbridled ambition, the absolute desire to excel. A challenge by individuals for the conquest of the sky, with no restrictions, no limitations.
This competition has its roots in the twenties, the era of the real estate boom and the vertical development of the city of New York. At the end of that part of the race for the supreme ultimate prize: the title of tallest skyscraper in the city. The three main competitors are: 40 Wall Street (now the Trump Building), the Chrysler Building (wanted and funded by Walter Chrysler, automobile magnate homonym), the Empire State Building.
As you know, winning is the Empire State Building (though the Chrysler Building is always recognized by another title, one of the most elegant high-rise). Manufacturer and financier of the Empire State Building is John J. Raskob, a businessman and manager, financial director of companies such as Du Pont and General Motors. At his side, who serves as Chairman of construction company, the former governor of New York, Alfred E. Smith. The skyscraper, in Art Deco style, is designed by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon in just two weeks. Exceptionally, Then, the speed at realization: the whole building was built in just 410 days, thanks to the work - tireless, courageous, never praised enough - about 3,400 workers, true heroes of the sky.
On 1 May 1931 is the opening day. The official opening of the doors is with a solemn ceremony, during which the U.S. president Herbert Hoover to turn the lights on the building, pushing a button in Washington, DC
Conceived in an era of big business but completed in full post-crisis stock market crash of 1929, the Empire State Building had no beginning, from a strictly business point of view , easy life. With the Great Depression, many of the office spaces of the building were left without tenants, which would earned him, by New Yorkers, the infamous name of "Empty (blank) State Building." In fact, you have to wait fifty years before the building began to generate profits.
A TERRACE ON THE WORLD
The Empire State Building offers a unique tourist attraction with its two observers, placed 86th and 102nd floor, it is possible to enjoy an incomparable view.
The 86th floor observatory is the most famous, are out along the perimeter of the floor, and allows a 360 ° view. The observatory on the 102nd floor (which for some years was closed to the public and may be even temporarily, in days of excessive influx of tourists) is smaller and is fully covered. One hundred and ten million people have ever visited the Empire observers, including many celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth, Lassie and Fidel Castro.
Bright Lights, NEW YORK
Since 1964, the top floors of the Empire State Building is illuminated by colored lights, themed according to events and occurrences. This is a wonderful attraction, only at night in New York has to offer. The colors chosen
for the lights are extremely varied. Are celebrated: festivals and celebrations (eg. Red light-green for the Christmas lights red-white-blue for July 4, Independence Day), major events (eg. All yellow lights, like tennis balls , at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows) special occasions (eg. all red lights in 2004, for 50 years of Ferrari in America, all yellow lights more recently, in 2007, the 100th anniversary of the taxis in New York ) wins the New York sports teams (eg. orange-blue-white light for the New York Knicks, orange and blue lights for the New York Mets).
FOR LOVE LEONA
In the early '90s Leona Helmsley was convicted for tax evasion (by historical events, her comment quoted by an ex-waitress during the process: "We do not pay taxes. Only the little pay taxes") and had to serve 18 months in prison. It so happens that the devoted husband, Harry Helmsley, American real estate market of famous tycoon, was the owner at the time of the Empire State Building. Octogenarian, gravely ill, deeply in love with his Leona, Harry Helmsley ordered that the day of entry into prison Leona lights most famous skyscraper in New York remain unlit. An act of love and sympathy to his woman. So it was, and for a moment the skyline of Manhattan did not seem really the same.
CLIMB ON FOOT
Every year, the Empire State Building has a very special sporting event: the Empire State Building Run-Up, running, walking up the stairs of the skyscraper, in 1576 steps to the finish to place '86 floor. The competition was introduced for the first time in 1978 and since then has always held regularly. The 2007 edition was won, among men the German Thomas Dold in a time of 10 minutes and 25 seconds, and among women the Australian Suzy Walsham with a time of 13 minutes and 12 seconds.
And they lived happily ever
the Empire State Building you can even get married. Every year, Valentine's Day, 14 couples swear eternal love and fidelity in a romantic ceremony at the 80th floor, so come join the Empire State Building Wedding Club To be selected among couples, future spouses must apply to the direction of the building, explaining why he want to get married at the Empire, the pairs are then chosen on the basis of factors such as originality, style, uniqueness of their request and their motives.
ACCIDENT IN FOG
Saturday, July 28, 1945 the Empire State Building was the scene of a serious accident. At 9:49 am, a plane military, exactly a B-25 bomber, crashed into the north side of the building, near the 79th floor. The origin of the accident, adverse weather conditions, in particular a very thick fog, which led the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel William Smith, to come down to try to recover part of visibility, in this case, however, the plane ended suddenly up being among the skyscrapers of Manhattan. After miraculously avoided the collision with other skyscrapers, the B-25 could not go back and collided with the Empire State. As a result of the crash, the fuel of the aircraft caught fire and blazed a violent fire, which affected the plane incident (the 79th, in fact) and some floors below, up to 75 °. It took 40 minutes to douse the flames. 14 people were killed in the incident (including the three soldiers on board the aircraft). The building also suffered damage only temporary and not likely to undermine its structural integrity.
E 'in this dramatic context that Betty Lou Oliver, involuntarily, "the company performed" that even today is the presence in the Guinness Book of Records: survived, one of the elevators inside the building, a fall of 75 plans!
THE LEGEND OF KING KONG
The Empire State Building became known worldwide because of what might be called a cinematic interpretation of the exception. In 1933 it was one of the "stars" of the film King Kong. The image of the ape that challenges men and their air clinging to the top of the tower remains one of the icons of world cinema.
Since then, the Empire State Building has appeared in many films and other entertainment products, including a remake of King Kong himself, dated 2005 (in the remake, that of 1976, the final scene takes place instead on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center).
JUMPS ELVITA ADAMS
In a famous episode of the sitcom The Jeffersons, George and Louise Jefferson experience moments of anxiety because they fear that Florence, their nice home, wants to commit suicide by jumping off the Empire State Building, so it will not be (in fact, Florence had never had the intention) and the episode will end in joy as always.
Unfortunately the reality, as often happens, is more bitter than fiction. Over the years, more than thirty people who have lost their lives by jumping into the empty upper floors of the building. The last in order of time is a lawyer, committed suicide Friday, April 13, 2007 with a flight from the 69th floor. Fortunately, the side of those who died, There are also some who have tried but have failed.
On 22 December 1977 a boy of 26 years, Thomas Helms, threw Observatory 86th floor, but he did not give enough strength to the outside and it fell back below 85 on the open space floor, still alive and kicking. More amazing still
what happened Dec. 2, 1979. The twenty-nine Elvita Adams attempted suicide by throwing herself from 86 th floor, this time it was decided to launch out and would have been enough to get her to the ground, except that a sudden gust of wind took it in the air and bounced inward making "land" 85th floor and save lives. Miss Adams escaped with a broken rib.
MEDIA CENTER
The outdoor observatory, as mentioned, is 86th floor. From that point on, the last 16 floors of the Empire State are occupied by the spiral tower. Originally conceived as a mooring place for dirigibles, was never used for that purpose. At least not in the real world. In the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, in fact, a huge German airship Hindenburg flies over a New York thirties and is still covered with snow on top of the Empire State Building. But this is science fiction.
In fact, the Spiral Tower skyscraper is used for another important function: on top of it is in fact the antenna for broadcasting, about 50 meters high. All major TV and radio (including CBS, NBC, ABC) broadcast their programs in New York radiating hence their signal.
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