New York's Empire State Building The 102-story Empire State Skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, completed in 1931, was the highest building in the world until 1971, when construction on the 1,368-foot (417 m) North Tower of the first World Trade Center overtook it. The Empire State Building remains the largest skyscraper in New York.
In addition to being a major landmark and tourist attraction, the Empire State Building is also an important part of American history due to its role in the development of air traffic control and radio communications standards. It was here that the first transatlantic radio transmission was made by British scientists who established contact with Radio City at 10:17 a.m. on May 2, 1937.
The building's design includes large windows which allow natural light into its floors, as well as special lighting systems which can be activated during nighttime blackouts for those without electricity. The building's location above many major transportation routes has made it useful for communication systems, while its size allows for efficient use of materials and manpower during construction.
It should come as no surprise then that the Empire State Building is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in America. It uses much less energy than other modern buildings of its size, and has reduced carbon emissions by nearly 50 percent since it opened.
New York's Empire State Building The Empire State Building stands 1,250 feet (380 meters) tall at its highest point. The total height of the structure, including the spire and antenna, is 1,454 feet (443 meters). It is now the fourth highest structure in New York City, the sixth tallest structure in the United States, and the 43rd tallest structure in the world. The building was designed by Shubrick and Anderson and built by a team led by John J. McShane. It took more than 5 years to complete the project. The base of the building is made of concrete and has 56 floors; the top floor has been designated as an observation deck open to the public.
In addition to being a major landmark, the Empire State Building is also important for its use as a filming location in many movies. From its debut in 1931 until 1992, when it was surpassed by Toronto's CN Tower, the Empire State Building was the world's most-filmed spot. It has also been said to be the most photographed object in the world because of this fact. In 2001, after the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, this role was taken over by photojournalists taking pictures of New York City from above during the recovery effort.
Another reason people love the Empire State Building is that it offers one of the best views in New York City. From the observation deck on the 96th floor you can see all the way across the city to the Statue of Liberty and beyond.
When it was finished in 1972, 1 World Trade Center was the tallest skyscraper in the world for two years, eclipsing the Empire State Building's 40-year rule. The North Tower was 1,368 feet (417 meters) tall, with a 362 foot (110 meter) telecommunications antenna or mast added on the roof in 1978. The South Tower was 1,344 feet (411 meters) when it opened in 1973.
In 2010, after 9/11, both towers were completely rebuilt and now share the title of being the second tallest building in New York City. The spires on top of each tower are 472 feet (143 meters) and 416 feet (127 meters), respectively.
1 World Trade Center was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, who also designed the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and so on. The building is internationally known as the "Trinity" because it has three equal-height spires that serve as antennas for radio telescopes mounted at their tips. The main telescope for the International Foundation for Astronautics is located on the 104th floor observatory deck.
It took more than 10 years to complete 1 World Trade Center. It was opened for business on February 14, 1973, just four months before its rival the Sears Tower was to have been completed. The opening of these twin towers greatly increased the stature of American architecture on the global stage.
New York City's Tallest Buildings
| Rank | Name | Height ft (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One World Trade Center | 1,776 ft. (541m) |
| 2 | 432 Park Avenue* | 1,400 ft.(426m) |
| 3 | 30 Hudson Yards | 1,296 ft. (395m) |
| 4 | Empire State Building | 1,250 ft. (381 m) 1,454 ft.(to the top of the spire) |
The Chrysler Building was the first structure in the world to exceed 300 meters (984 feet), while the Empire State Building was the first structure to have more than 100 storeys. It has 102 storeys and a height of 381 meters (1,250 feet). The World Trade Center, which was completed in 1971, was the second highest building. It had 998 feet until the Twin Towers were completed in 1973, which were 1,397 feet tall.
The Sears Tower is currently the tallest building in Chicago at 328 m (1083 ft). The Lotte World Tower is the current tallest building in Seoul at 515 m (1,638 ft). The Guangzhou International Finance Centre is the current tallest building in China with a height of 514 m (1,637 ft).
The Petronas Tower is currently the tallest oil refinery in Asia with a height of 427 m (1,443 ft). The previous record holder was the Pudong Airport Terminal 2 with a height of 420 m (1,437 ft).
When it was built, the World Trade Center was the tallest building in America. Today, it's been surpassed by two buildings: the Shanghai World Financial Center and the South Tower of the World Trade Center. They are both 443 m (1,476 ft) tall.
The CN-SA Tower is currently the tallest cellular phone tower in Canada at 450 m (1,480 ft).
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