Located in New York City, the Empire State Building is one of the world’s most famous structures. It was the world’s tallest building from 1931 until 1972. Today, only a small number of skyscrapers reach higher.
The history of the Empire State Building begins in the late 1800s, when construction companies began using steel to erect buildings. With that, the skyscraper was born. Soon, in the Empire State Building New York era, erecting the world’s tallest building became somewhat of a competition. First came the Woolworth Building in 1913. It was 792 feet high. Then there was the Bank of Manhattan constructed in 1930 at 927 feet. Following this, the Chrysler Building was erected at a height of 1, 046 feet. Yet even before the Chrysler Building was completed, investor John Jacob Raskob was making plans to go higher. He wanted to erect a building that would be a tribute to America as a land of opportunity. Raskob named his dream after New York State’s nickname, and the Empire State Building began to take shape.
The history of the Empire State Building begins in the late 1800s, when construction companies began using steel to erect buildings. With that, the skyscraper was born. Soon, in the Empire State Building New York era, erecting the world’s tallest building became somewhat of a competition. First came the Woolworth Building in 1913. It was 792 feet high. Then there was the Bank of Manhattan constructed in 1930 at 927 feet. Following this, the Chrysler Building was erected at a height of 1, 046 feet. Yet even before the Chrysler Building was completed, investor John Jacob Raskob was making plans to go higher. He wanted to erect a building that would be a tribute to America as a land of opportunity. Raskob named his dream after New York State’s nickname, and the Empire State Building began to take shape.