Empire State Building Celebrates 95th Anniversary
The Empire State Building in New York celebrates its 95th anniversary on May 1, 2025. Opened in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover via a button press from the White House, the Art Deco tower was built in under 14 months using prefabricated parts and 3,500 workers. It lost its title as the world's tallest building in 1972 to the World Trade Center and is now 443 meters tall with antenna. The building attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually. For the anniversary, it offers children's birthday parties (four-figure cost) and a limited-edition ice cream sundae with a chocolate King Kong. The building's lights, which have been lit nightly for 50 years, will shine in multicolored glow. Its observatories recently underwent a $165 million renovation. New competitors include One Vanderbilt and One Times Square.
Key facts
- Empire State Building opened May 1, 1931.
- President Herbert Hoover remotely turned on its lights from the White House.
- Built in under 14 months with 3,500 workers.
- Height: 443 meters with antenna.
- Lost tallest building title in 1972 to World Trade Center.
- Over 2.5 million visitors annually.
- 73 elevators; 1,860 steps to 102nd floor.
- Own ZIP code: 10118.
- Lights have been lit nightly for 50 years.
- Observatories renovated for $165 million.
- New competitors: One Vanderbilt, One Times Square.
Entities
Institutions
- Empire State Building
- White House
- New York Times
- World Trade Center
- Burj Khalifa
- Rockefeller Center
- Hudson Yards
- One Vanderbilt
- Grand Central Terminal
- One Times Square
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Fifth Avenue
- 33rd Street
- Dubai
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Delaware