photo: Carol M. Highsmith
As one of the world’s most recognizable structures, the Empire State Building has come to symbolize the commercial strength and vitality of New York City. Architect William Lamb used the simple shape of a pencil as the basis of his design. Standing 1,250 feet tall, the Art Deco–style building was an engineering wonder of its time. Its prominent spire served as a perch for King Kong in the 1933 film.
Comments (26)
While I live in Manhattan, and the view of Empire State Building is beautiful, it just doesn't stand up to the Golden Gate Bridge. With the constant lighting changes, its almost an act of self-promotion. The Golden Gate Bridge is what it is. It inspires awe via what it is, not through trendy lighting...
Posted by ny local former sf native | February 8, 2007 12:50 AM
Posted on February 8, 2007 00:50
They obviously polled only east coast people. Empire State Building? Blah. Over rated.
Posted by Chicago Native | February 8, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on February 8, 2007 08:54
There must be some mistake. The Chrysler Building towers above its taller rival--metaphorically speaking. But somehow this survey has been skewed in favor of monumental buildings; whereas I believe that America's greatest architecture is taking place at human scale.
Posted by Vernon Reed, FAIA | February 10, 2007 2:06 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 14:06
i question this list...
Posted by ss88 | February 10, 2007 3:38 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 15:38
Having been born and lived in New York all of my life and then relocating south. Then is nothing more awesome then the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. Granted the other buildings are wonderful and have their special place amongst other's in this country. NOTHING can compare to the history or the beauty of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
Posted by Jean-Pierre Petrie | February 10, 2007 3:50 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 15:50
It's a beauty all right.
Posted by James R. Dean, E.I.E.I.O. | February 10, 2007 4:19 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 16:19
It's a beauty, all right.
Posted by James R. Dean, E.I.E.I.O. | February 10, 2007 4:20 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 16:20
The greatness of ESB is that it combines big features, impressive height and subtle, classic decoration--something that architects (until very recently) just couldn't get right anymore.
By contrast, any high school kid could design a simple, extended box like the Sears Tower or the (late) WTC towers (OK, with a little help from a structural engineer).
But ESB is evocative--of lovers seeking romantic encounters and, let's not forget King Kong, only 2 years after it was made!
Posted by RonLev | February 10, 2007 4:44 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 16:44
The Empire State Building, while no longer the world's tallest building, is everything a skyscraper should be... very tall, imposing, and with a definate PRESENCE! It is not only America's but the WORLD's premier skyscraper.. a true 8th wonder of the world... and the fact that it doesn't even make the new list makes me question the validity of this new list..it should have been a quest to name the other SIX wonders AFTER the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!!!
Posted by Richard J. Becker | February 10, 2007 5:31 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 17:31
The Empire State Building, while no longer the world's tallest building, is everything a skyscraper should be... very tall, imposing, and with a definate PRESENCE! It is not only America's but the WORLD's premier skyscraper.. a true 8th wonder of the world... and the fact that it doesn't even make the new list makes me question the validity of this new list..it should have been a quest to name the other SIX wonders AFTER the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!!!
Posted by Richard J. Becker | February 10, 2007 5:31 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 17:31
Praise the Lord, #1 for the Empire State Building! If it were a place of worship we would all be on our knees genuflecting, singing and praising its brilliant architecture. The Empire State Building is heads above anything else on this list, in its beauty, simplicity, style and longevity. May every citizen in America get to visit it someday and fall in love with this building and sing its praises to the Lord, for having the engineering for architects to build this wonder of the world.
Posted by Mike | February 10, 2007 7:00 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 19:00
It's a pity that the WTC couldn't have stood up to the 9/11 terrorist airliner hits the same way the Empire State Building withstood the impact of a B-25 near the end of WW2. They made 'em a lot more structurally sound in the old days.
Posted by Brian L. Hope | February 10, 2007 7:28 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 19:28
I was at the top of the World Trade Center one day with a friend who had never been to New York City before. As we looked out towards uptown Manhattan, the expresssion on his face was sheer shock as he commented, " the Empire State Building looks like it was built smack in the center of Manahattan towering over the rest of the other buildings". I told him "of course, where else would King Kong of wanted to hang out?"
Posted by Jesus Guzman | February 10, 2007 7:50 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 19:50
Yes it is the greatist building in the USA. While there are other biger bldg.
in the world the ESB. is still my idea of a great city NEW YORK is.
Posted by powertan | February 10, 2007 9:00 PM
Posted on February 10, 2007 21:00
why did 9/11 have to happen
Posted by Anonymous | February 11, 2007 2:19 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 14:19
Empire State? Tall enough but not too impressive would be my take. It suffers at ground level (as does so much NY architecture) from the viewer's inability to see much of it. I've only really noticed it from Brooklyn or New Jersey. Craning your neck at it from street level is not fun at all and you still don't see much of it. It lacks harmonious combination of shape and decoration. It's ordinary except for its height.
Looks to me like most of the voters in the poll were people who seldom, if ever, get farther west than the Meadowlands. Perhaps to them, it had to be best because it was the tallest thing around, which would be somewhat typical NY provincialism.
As far as deco style goes, the Chrysler Building got it a lot better anyway - it's a much more distinguished presence. Plus, the latter can be seen in considerable glory all up and down Lexington Ave.
Personally, I'd move the Chrysler Building way up the list and drop ESB entirely.
Posted by LL | February 16, 2007 8:56 AM
Posted on February 16, 2007 08:56
hi ashley g.
Posted by bohts | February 21, 2007 5:02 PM
Posted on February 21, 2007 17:02
hi hobo baggins
Posted by ash | February 21, 2007 5:03 PM
Posted on February 21, 2007 17:03
man this building is huge...its frickin awesome!! must of took a lot of hard work to complete ...
Posted by Korey M. | February 21, 2007 5:04 PM
Posted on February 21, 2007 17:04
WOW LAULAU!
Posted by Flip | February 21, 2007 5:06 PM
Posted on February 21, 2007 17:06
Yes I love the Empire State Building too. The entrance even looks a bit like a face with the large main doorway and two large dark windows that look like eyes. A Slate article linked to this one pointed out that many of the top bldgs on this list were older ones, implying people did not much like newer bldgs. I think one major factor is that people are just more familiar with the older bldgs and not as aware of the newer ones.
Posted by fairlady68 | March 14, 2007 7:17 PM
Posted on March 14, 2007 19:17
I am a Canadian and have seen most of the buildings in the top 150, New York city alone has many beautiful building, however when I think New York the Empire State Building always comes to mind first.
Posted by Mark | March 15, 2007 1:57 PM
Posted on March 15, 2007 13:57
i think this building is very "cool"
Posted by diego | March 16, 2007 3:37 PM
Posted on March 16, 2007 15:37
I'm sorry but I cannot let people claim the Chrysler building is better than this building. The Chrysler gains its fame from some cheap ornamental tricks towards the top, put on an otherwise bland office building. From the street level it is actually quite awkward looking. The Empire State Building, meanwhile works as an organic whole, its set backs working with its ornament, and it actually feels human on the street level.
Posted by Anonymous | March 17, 2007 2:25 AM
Posted on March 17, 2007 02:25
While I am disappointed that most of the first 20 are just monuments, and not buildings where people live, work or learn, I am glad that #1 is a building designed by Cornell alumni.
Posted by Christian Nielsen-Palacios | March 23, 2007 9:36 AM
Posted on March 23, 2007 09:36
Does anybody outside New York or Hollywood care about Manhattan?
Posted by John | March 27, 2007 4:43 PM
Posted on March 27, 2007 16:43