About Empire State Building

History, Architecture  & Facts

An Art Deco Icon

The Image of NYC

The Empire State Building, with its towering height and iconic design, shapes the New York City skyline. As the world’s finest Art Deco skyscraper, it’s a living symbol of New York’s history and culture.

At 102 stories and 1,454 feet tall, it was the tallest building globally for nearly 40 years after completion. Today, it remains a remarkable architectural marvel and one of the world’s great towers. At night, the 200-foot spire shines with changing colors, making it the most photographed building globally.

Truly Timeless

Opened in 1931 on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building sits in NYC’s heart. A symbol of American industry, it was the first building with over 100 floors, and its steel frame was a modern marvel.

The Image of NYC

Truly Timeless

An Artistic Marvel

Millions of visitors every year travel through our Fifth Avenue lobby at the end of their Observation Deck visit. The revitalized atrium showcases the magic of art deco style. Shimmering starbursts and metallic touches gild the halls, elevators, and ceiling. It’s a true piece of New York history, and designated a landmark by the Landmark Preservation Commission.

Revitalized for Today

The Empire State ReBuilding initiative aims to restore the building to its original glory for future generations, honoring its designers’ vision

Turning Back Time

After nearly a century, many of the building’s key design elements, from the lighting and glasswork to the marble interiors, had weathered. As a result, some of these defining pieces were in danger of being lost.

Historic Restoration

Today, more than 12,000 feet of historic glassware has been recreated with meticulous attention to detail by a team of artisans and historians. Damaged marble has been removed and replaced with new stone. The result is an ESB experience that’s faithful to the history of the building.

Dazzling Artistry

Among the building’s most striking design artifacts is the vast mural along the ceiling of the lobby. It depicts a celestial sky in classic Art Deco style, adorned with 23-karat gold stars, sunbursts, and gears. For decades, it welcomed visitors to the building – however, in the 1960s, it was painted over and covered with a dropped ceiling.

Recreated Masterpiece

In 2007, artists and historians began to recreate this mural in all its original brilliance. Two years, 20,000 working hours, and several thousand square feet of gold and aluminum leaf later, the lobby ceiling once again captivates visitors as it did on the building’s opening day.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. Elevators are available for strollers. Strollers must be folded on observation decks.

Reservations are required for admission. We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance on the website, but tickets can also be purchased onsite at the ticket office located at 12 W 34 Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Private wedding ceremonies are not hosted. Proposals are available through the Happily Ever Empire package.

Only during the annual Empire State Building Run-Up. Stairs are closed to guests at all other times.

See it Yourself

The Empire State Building’s Observation Decks provide panoramic views of New York City and attract millions of visitors annually.