When we talk about New York, we think about the city that never sleeps like a big megalopolis with millions of inhabitants and famous buildings like the Empire State Building.
The world's most famous skyscraper that was built in 1931 is a true myth. Certainly it is now overtaken by larger towers , but there is still the symbol of New York and somewhere in the United States too. To better know this architectural giant, here are 15 anecdotes that you may not know about Empire State Building .
Immense popularity
A study by Cornell University on millions of photos from the Flickr site showed that the Empire State Building was the most photographed building in the world. A result made possible by the use of keywords and hashtags on the site.
Attention to static electricity
If the weather conditions are met, it is possible for a couple who embraces at the top of the Empire State Building to receive a small electric shock. Static electricity is easily found in high places when the weather is favourable. Then pay attention to your lips.
Shot of lightning
Photo credit: Instagram – thewilliamanderson
The Empire State Building, in addition to supporting static electricity, also acts as a paratonner. Every year, the building is hit on average 23 times by lightning .
Exceptional view
At the top of the Empire State Building, if you are lucky, you can see much more than the city of New York. If the weather is clear, you can see in the distance five different states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
From music to altitude
Every Thursday and Saturday, a saxophonist comes to play a few pieces on the 86th floor, a skyscraper observation site. A romantic meeting possible from 9:00 to midnight.
Antenna at the top
The summit of the Empire State Building is used to broadcast the majority of television and radio advertisements of the channels in New York.
Business Building
The Empire State Building also houses many societies or organizations such as Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation , LF USA , Shutterstock , Coty or the Human Rights Foundation .
Construction in record time
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Lewis Hine
It took only 11 months for the workers to completely erect the Empire State Building. Less than a year to build a tower of 381 meters in the 1930s, the performance is to be emphasized.
A building full of limestone
The Empire State Building has nearly 200,000 limestone blocks. They come from the state of Indiana.
Personal postal code
Since many companies are located in the Empire State Building, the tower has its own postal code: 10118.
Star of Americans
In 2007, a survey proposed by the American Institute of Architects made a very flattering verdict for the Empire State Building. Indeed, it comes at the top of the favorite American monuments of the inhabitants even advancing the White House.
Sustainable Tour
The Empire State Building is the highest tower in the United States that has certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design . A label that recognizes the excellence of sustainable development construction.
Beautiful outside and inside
Photo credit: Flickr – Tony Hisgett
The interior of the Empire State Building is just as important as its inner aspect. Its entrails are also classified as a historic monument by the Commission for the Preservation of Historical Monuments.
Among the 7 wonders of the modern world
The Empire State Building is in the new version of the 7 wonders of the world imagined by the American Society of Civil Engineers . A modern ranking that includes the Panama Canal, the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) or the CN Tower (Toronto).
Halt for airships
Initially, the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building had been designed to serve as a mooring for the airships. Now it’s an observation site all over the city.
Photo credit: Interesting America
Main photo credit: Flickr – Ivo Jansch
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