 | The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark Subjects: Empire State Building (New York N.Y.); Architecture -- New York (State) -- New York; New York (N.Y.) -- Buildings structures etc.; When the 1250-foot Empire State Building opened in the Depression year of 1931, it was the world's tallest building. Today, though it ranks only fourth in the world, it retains a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers. Tauranac tells of the ``odd couple'' responsible for the ESB: millionaire John J. Raskob and his troubleshooter, Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York. Both had come from humble backgrounds and were progressive Irish Catholic Democrats who were pro-business and anti-prohibition. We are shown the frantic ``race'' for height with the neighboring Chrysler Building, also under construction, and how the ESB finally won out. Among the facts cited here about the ESB: it sits on the site of the original Waldorf Astoria hotel; its mast was designed to moor dirigibles; it has appeared in about 90 movies, including King Kong; it was only 50% rented until WWII; in heavy fog in 1945, a B-25 bomber crashed into it, killing 14; it has its own post office; and, virtually unique in Manhattan, its 13th floor is appropriately numbered. Tauranac (Essential New York) has written an informative and exciting biography of Manhattan's most famous building. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved John Tauranac writes on New York's architectural history, teaches and lectures on the subject, gives tours of the city, and is a mapmaker. In 1997, he was the guest curator of A Dream Well Planned: The Empire State Building at the Museum of the City of New York. His books include New York from the Air , Elegant New York , Essential New York , and Seeing New York . He has contributed to the New York Times , the New York Observer , New York Newsday , New York Magazine , Travel & Leisure , Seaport , Avenue Magazine , and other publications. Tauranac is an adjunct associate professor at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. |
