Facts

• The tower was one of the first to employ the then new fast-track construction technique.


• At least 32 people jumped to their deaths off the observation deck on the top during the deck's operation.


• Construction took just over 18 months.


• On a Saturday morning in July 1945, a US B-25 Bomber crashed into the 79th floor offices of the Catholic War Relief Services. Fourteen people died. Despite suffering some fire damage and a 20-foot gash, the Empire State building opened back up for business on Monday.


• The lobby is a five-story Art Deco masterpiece crafted in rich granite and marble, and highlighted by brushed stainless steel.


• Tallest building in the world from 1931 - 1972; surpassed byOne World Trade Center.


• The Empire State Building was constructed on the site of the former Astoria Hotel.


• Excavation began on January 22, 1930.


• Construction started on March 17, 1930.


• The building incorporates 10 million bricks, 1,886 kilometres (1,172 miles) of elevator cables, 6,400 windows and weighs 331,000 tonnes.


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