The Building of the Empire State

On this day in 1931, the Empire State Building was dedicated.  In Washington, President Herbert Hoover ceremonially pressed a button that lit the building in New York.  The Empire State Building was a marvel of architecture - it was completed in under a year, under budget, and ahead of schedule.  At certain points the building grew four and a half stories per week.  At its completion it was the tallest building, at 102 stories and 1,250 feet high.

The Empire State Building figures very prominently in the life of the Brave Astronaut.  I have been to the top many times, most recently during our Christmas visit to New York.  Mrs. BA and I went to the top when we were still dating and have also brought LBA and SoBA to the top as well.

When I lived in Poughkeepsie, my neighbor used to be fond of saying the line noted above about the building being finished early and under budget - anytime he saw a construction project run amok.

For your enjoyment, please have a look at these photos from the construction of the world's tallest building, until the completion of the World Trade Center in the 1970s.  Sadly, the Empire State Building regained the status of the tallest building in New York after the September 11 attacks, but it has been eclipsed again with the completion of the new Freedom Tower.  The building is currently the fourth tallest in the United States and the 23rd tallest in the world.  Bonus points for listing those in front of it.