Empire State Building Timeline

During the Great Depression, so much office space sat vacant that the building earned the nickname the 'Empty State Building.' Rent revenue did not cover operating costs for years, and observers dubbed it a 'white elephant' until occupancy improved in the 1940s.

The 86th floor observation deck opened shortly after the building's completion, quickly becoming one of New York City's most popular tourist attractions and drawing over a million visitors annually within a few years.

Construction was completed after only 410 days, remarkably ahead of schedule and under budget at roughly $41 million. The building rose from plans to completion faster than any skyscraper before it, employing about 3,400 workers at peak, many of them European immigrants and Mohawk ironworkers.

President Herbert Hoover officially opened the Empire State Building by pressing a button from the White House that turned on the building's lights. Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt attended ceremonies in New York, and the event drew enormous public attention.

The classic film King Kong premiered, featuring its iconic climax atop the Empire State Building where the giant ape scales the tower while clutching Fay Wray. The film forever cemented the skyscraper's place in popular culture.

Image source: King Kong (1933 film)

A B-25 Mitchell bomber, flying in heavy fog, crashed into the north side of the building between the 78th and 80th floors. Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver survived a 75-story elevator fall, earning a Guinness World Record. Fourteen people died in the accident, yet the building remained structurally sound.

Image source: 1945 Empire State Building B-25 crash

This decade saw the building featured prominently in countless works of art, literature, and advertising as an enduring symbol of New York City and American ambition, reinforcing its status as an international cultural icon.

Image source: Barbapapa

The tower's floodlights were first illuminated in colored lights—red, white, and blue for the American Bicentennial—beginning a beloved tradition of lighting the building in colors commemorating holidays, events, and causes.

A 222-foot television antenna tower was erected on top of the building, raising its total height to 1,472 feet and making it a key broadcast transmission point for New York City's radio and television stations.

The North Tower of the World Trade Center topped out, surpassing the Empire State Building as New York City's and the world's tallest building after a reign of nearly 40 years.

Image source: 6 World Trade Center (1974–2001)

Chicago's Sears Tower was completed, taking the world's tallest title from New York City. The Empire State Building nonetheless retained unmatched prestige and continued to define the Manhattan skyline.

Image source: Willis Tower

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Empire State Building an official city landmark, formally protecting its iconic exterior and recognizing its architectural and historical significance.

Image source: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

The Empire State Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, followed in 1986 by designation as a National Historic Landmark, cementing its status among America's most treasured historic structures.

Image source: National Register of Historic Places

A major renovation program updated the building's Art Deco lobby with marble and restored decorative elements, while mechanical systems were upgraded to keep the aging skyscraper competitive with newer office towers.

A lone gunman opened fire on the observation deck in July 1997, killing one person and wounding several others before turning the gun on himself. The incident prompted significant security upgrades at the popular tourist destination.

Image source: 1997 Empire State Building shooting

Control of the Empire State Building passed through real estate transactions involving Peter Malkin's family interests, which later consolidated ownership under Empire State Realty Trust, setting the stage for extensive modernization efforts.

Image source: Empire State Building

Owners announced a groundbreaking $550 million retrofit program with the Clinton Climate Initiative, including new windows, insulation, lighting, and HVAC systems projected to cut energy use by nearly 40 percent and serve as a model for green retrofits worldwide.

The building's exterior floodlights were replaced with a computerized LED system capable of displaying 16 million colors with dynamic effects, dramatically expanding the famous tower light shows seen across the city.

Empire State Realty Trust, owner of the Empire State Building, launched its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker ESRT, formalizing corporate stewardship of the iconic property.

After a $165 million renovation, the enclosed 102nd floor observatory reopened with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering panoramic views, complementing the open-air 86th floor deck and enhancing one of the world's most visited attractions.

Following months of pandemic-related closure, the Empire State Building's observatories reopened to visitors with enhanced health protocols, symbolizing resilience as New York City gradually recovered from the COVID-19 crisis.

Image source: COVID-19 pandemic in New York City