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Empire State

Short answer: The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, with William F.

Lamb as chief designer, it was built during the Great Depression and opened on May 1, 1931, about 410 days after construction began. Its roof is 381 m (1,250 ft) high, and its tip reaches 443 m (1,454 ft). It was the world's tallest building until the North Tower of the World Trade Center topped out in 1970. The footage shows the building and city views, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

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What should you know about Empire State?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. It's a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper.

    DD-157-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Art Deco)

  2. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon designed it.

    DD-157-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Designers)

Video transcript: Empire State: The Empire State Building Went up in About 410 Days

The Empire State Building, an iconic skyscraper in the heart of New York City, was completed in 1931 during the Great Depression. DID YOU KNOW? Standing at 1,454 feet, or 443 meters, it held the title of the world's tallest building until 1970. The construction of the Empire State Building was a remarkable engineering achievement, taking only 410 days from the start of excavation to its official opening. Designed by architect William F. Lamb of the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, the building's Art Deco style and setback design were groundbreaking. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 30.3s Reel ·

Video coming soonEmpire State · Instagram Reel
Empire State: The Empire State Building Went up in About 410 Days Instagram Reel · · 30.3s

The write-up

The Empire State Building went up in about 410 days. It stayed the world's tallest building until 1970.

  1. Exhibit A

    Art Deco

    It's a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper.

  2. Exhibit B

    Designers

    Shreve, Lamb & Harmon designed it.

  3. Exhibit C

    1931

    It opened on May 1, 1931.

  4. Exhibit D

    410 days

    It took about 410 days to build.

  5. Exhibit E

    Tallest until 1970

    It was tallest until 1970.

Questions people ask about Empire State

What style is the building?

With setbacks.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Art Deco) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

When did it open?

During the Depression.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Designers) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

About how long did construction take?

Very fast.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (1931) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

How tall is it to the tip?

1,454 ft.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (410 days) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

What took its tallest title?

In 1970.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Tallest until 1970) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What style is the building?

    1. Art Deco
    2. Gothic
    3. Brutalist
    4. Baroque
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Art Deco With setbacks. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Art Deco) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

  2. When did it open?

    1. May 1, 1931
    2. 1901
    3. 1951
    4. 1971
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. May 1, 1931 During the Depression. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Designers) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

  3. About how long did construction take?

    1. About 410 days
    2. About 10 years
    3. About 41 days
    4. About 4 years
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 410 days Very fast. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (1931) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

  4. How tall is it to the tip?

    1. 443 m
    2. 100 m
    3. 828 m
    4. 1,000 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 443 m 1,454 ft. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (410 days) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

  5. What took its tallest title?

    1. The World Trade Center's North Tower
    2. The Eiffel Tower
    3. The Burj Khalifa
    4. The Chrysler Building
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The World Trade Center's North Tower In 1970. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Tallest until 1970) · Wikipedia: Empire State Building

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Empire State." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-157, last updated Jan 2, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/empire-state/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/empire-state/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-157-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/empire-state/#DD-157-F01

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