The Empire State Building stands as one of the most iconic structures in the world, towering 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan. Nestled between 33rd and 34th streets on Fifth Avenue, this 102-story skyscraper has become a symbol of New York City’s architectural prowess and ambition.
For nearly four decades, from its completion in 1931 until the construction of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1970, the Empire State Building held the title of the tallest building in the world. Recognizing its significance, the American Society of Civil Engineers once named it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
A Race to the Sky
The construction of the Empire State Building was part of an intense competition to claim the title of the tallest building in New York City. The race included notable contenders such as 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building, but ultimately, the Empire State Building emerged victorious.
On January 22, 1930, excavation of the site began, and by March 17, construction was in full swing. The project required an immense workforce, consisting primarily of European immigrants and a significant number of Mohawk ironworkers, known for their fearless approach to working at extreme heights. In total, 3,400 workers contributed to the ambitious undertaking.
Building such a massive structure required an extraordinary amount of materials. The project used 200,000 cubic feet of limestone, 10 million bricks, and 60,000 tons of steel. Despite the lack of modern safety regulations, only five workers lost their lives during construction—an astonishingly low number given the hazardous conditions.
The Rapid Rise of a Landmark
Construction progressed at an incredible pace. On April 11, 1931—just over a year after work began—the Empire State Building was completed. The final height of the skyscraper reached 1,284 feet, capped with a mooring mast designed to accommodate zeppelins, although the idea was quickly abandoned due to safety concerns.
The daring nature of the construction is immortalized in photographs from the era. One of the most famous images captures Carl Russell casually sitting on a steel beam 1,222 feet in the air—no harness, no safety gear, just nerves of steel. Other photos show workers balancing on girders, standing on narrow beams, and even taking quick breaks while perched high above the city.
Photographer Lewis Hine played a crucial role in documenting the process, capturing not just the towering steel skeleton of the building but also the character and resilience of the men who built it. His images remain some of the most powerful testaments to the human effort behind this engineering marvel.
Even after nearly a century, the Empire State Building remains one of the most recognized and celebrated landmarks in the world. It continues to captivate millions of visitors each year, standing as a testament to American ingenuity and determination. Whether admired from the ground or viewed from its world-famous observation deck, this towering masterpiece remains a defining symbol of New York City’s skyline and its indomitable spirit.
On April 11, 1931, barely a year after it began, work on the Empire State Building was finished. Below are some fantastic photos of the process.
