Empire State Building Opens: World's Tallest Tower Rises
The Empire State Building opened on May 1, 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression. Construction took just 410 days using a workforce of 3,400 men, five of whom died in construction accidents. The building rose 102 stories and 1,454 feet (including its mooring mast for dirigibles), making it the world's tallest structure until the World Trade Center surpassed it in 1970. Vacancy rates exceeded 75% for years, earning it the nickname "Empty State Building." Revenue from the observation deck, which attracted tourists from opening day, kept the building financially viable. The building's Art Deco design, conceived by architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, used 10 million bricks, 730 tons of aluminum, and 200,000 cubic feet of limestone.
May 1, 1931
95 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on May 1
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