It is located on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th streets in Manhattan.

The Empire State Building took only one year and 45 days to build, or more than seven million man-hours.

There are observatories on both the 86th and 102nd floors.

The building has been featured in several movies such as "An Affair to Remember," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Elf" and "The Amazing Spider-Man."

From the observation decks, visitors can see as far as 80 miles away into New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts on a clear day. The distinctive binocular viewers available around the building were made by Tower Optical company.

The tower lights are turned off on foggy nights during the spring and autumn bird migration seasons, so the lights will not confuse birds and cause them to fly into the building.

Every year on Valentine's Day, couples who marry on the 80th floor become members of the Empire State Building Wedding Club. They receive free admission to the observatory each year on February 14 (their anniversary) thereafter.

Over thirty people have jumped to their deaths from the Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building Run-Up is an annual race up the stairs to the 86th floor (1,576 steps).

The building has 24/7 security. It is monitored with security technology, such as CCTV cameras, and the screening for visitors is similar to airport security procedures.

Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Empire State Building: The Empire State Building is a symbol of everything New York City is known for: ambition, innovation, a competitive spirit, and sheer will. Hide Caption 1 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Construction: Construction began on March 17, 1930, and President Herbert Hoover officially opened it on May 1, 1931. Hide Caption 2 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Race into the Sky: Initial plans for the skyscraper were quite modest, but the "Race into the Sky" was just too much to resist and plans were revised to make it the 103-story, 1,250-foot tall monolith we know now. Hide Caption 3 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Manhattan landmark: It lost the title of world's tallest building decades ago, but the Art Deco skyscraper remains one of the most iconic tourist spots in Manhattan. Hide Caption 4 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building ZIP code: The building even has its own ZIP code (that would be 10118). Hide Caption 5 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Opening hours: The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the last elevator to the observatory leaving at 1:15 a.m. Hide Caption 6 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Location: The 102-story skyscraper is in Midtown Manhattan at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. Hide Caption 7 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Pop culture: The Empire State Building has been a pop culture staple for nearly 90 years; from "King Kong" to "Elf," it's made countless appearances in movies and TV. Hide Caption 8 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Romance: The ESB is a popular proposal spot: there's a saxophonist on duty from 9 p.m. to midnight from Labor Day (the beginning of September) to Memorial Day (the last Monday in May). Hide Caption 9 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Big city lights: Be sure to check the Empire State Colors Twitter account (@esbcolors) to find out what colors will be lighting up the building at night and what those colors honor (holidays, sporting events and awareness months are popular ones). Hide Caption 10 of 11 Photos: Secrets of the Empire State Building Outdoor terrace: Like any must-see spot in NYC, there are VIP-only areas, including the observation deck on the 103rd floor. Don't get too jealous of celebrities such as golf star Michelle Wie -- the narrow outdoor terrace is definitely for the brave of heart. Hide Caption 11 of 11

Timeline

1928-1929 - The famous Fifth Avenue Waldorf Astoria Hotel is sold to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation. Soon after Empire State Inc. is formed by members of the Dupont family and a former General Motors executive. They name former new york governor, Alfred E. Smith to head the newly formed corporation.

March 17, 1930 - Construction begins with 3,000 workers building 4.5 floors per week.

April 1931 - At completion, it becomes the tallest building in the world.

May 1, 1931 - President Herbert Hoover turns on the building's lights, officially opening it, by pressing a button in Washington, DC.

July 28, 1945 - At the end of At the end of World War II, an Army Air Corps B-25 twin-engine bomber plane crashes into the 79th floor of the building, due to foggy conditions. Only two stories are damaged, but 14 people are killed.

1951 - The building is sold for $34 million to a group led by Roger Stevens, but is also sold to Prudential Insurance Company of America. PICA agrees to a long-term lease.

1954 - Col. Henry J. Crown and his Chicago group purchase the building for $51.5 million.

1961 - An investment group headed by Lawrence Wien purchases the building for $65 million.

1973 - The construction of the World Trade Center in Manhattan ends the Empire State Building's reign as the tallest building in the world.

May 18, 1981 - The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission declares the building a landmark.

June 24, 1986 - National Parks Service recognizes it as a National Parks Service recognizes it as a National Historic Landmark.

September 11, 2001 - Becomes the tallest building in New York again after the collapse of the Becomes the tallest building in New York again after the collapse of the World Trade Center. The new One World Trade Center reclaims the title in 2012.

2002 - Peter L. Malkin purchases the building while holding the 114-year lease; becomes owner and manager.

February 13, 2012 - Malkin Holdings LLC, which controls the Empire State Building, files for an initial public offering for a real estate investment trust (REIT) for the building, along with two other Manhattan properties it controls. Malkin Holdings LLC, which controls the Empire State Building, files for an initial public offering for a real estate investment trust (REIT) for the building, along with two other Manhattan properties it controls. The filing puts the estimated value for the Empire State Building at $2.5 billion

August 22, 2018 - A new entrance for Observatory visitors at 20 West 34th Street is unveiled as part of the Empire State ReBuilding Project. "Guests will ascend a grand staircase which splits around a two-story architectural model of ESB." The new entrance, to be completed by the end of 2019, is the first renovation.

November 26, 2019 - New components to the final phase of the $165 million-dollar project are new art exhibits, panoramic views of many renowned landmarks around the city, and several interactive experiences. The 80th floor redevelopment is completed. New components to the final phase of the $165 million-dollar project are new art exhibits, panoramic views of many renowned landmarks around the city, and several interactive experiences.

Characteristics

Cost: $40,948,900 (including land)

Building Alone: $24,718,000 (less than anticipated by half, due to the Depression)

Area of Site: 79,288 square feet (7,240m) or about two acres. East to west, 424 feet (129m), north to south, 187 feet (56.9m).

Lobby: 47 feet (14.3m) above sea level

Height: The base of building rises five floors above the street. The entrance is four floors high. The lobby is three floors high. From the 60-foot setback on the fifth floor, the building soars without a break to the 86th floor.

Total Height: 1,454 feet (1,453 feet, 8 9/16th inches) or 443.2m to top of lightning rod

- To 86th Floor Observatory: 1,050 feet

- To 102nd Floor Observatory: 1,250 feet

- 102nd Floor to tip: 230 feet

Height of Antenna: 204 feet

Steps: 1,860 from street level to the 103rd floor

Weight: 365,000 tons

Windows: 6,514

Street Level Access: Five entrances on 33rd Street, Fifth Avenue and 34th Street

Elevators: 73, including six freight elevators

Escalators: There are eight high-speed escalators in the concourse and second floor areas.