[NEW DATE 10/21] Behind the Steel & Stone: An Art Deco Icon, The Empire State Building

It's here, it's real. The NYU Stern Real Estate Club is partnering with the Chen Institute of Real Estate Finance and Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) for a behind-the-scenes look of the iconic Empire State Building. With a sustainability focused guided tour led by ESRT executives plus access to the Observatory Deck, you do not want to miss this exclusive tour.

Voted the #1 attraction in the world and the most magnificent Art Deco skyscraper, it’s a living piece of New York history and an instantly recognizable symbol of city culture today. Soaring 1,454 feet above Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the crown jewel of New York’s skyline and a monument to the city’s ambition. Completed in 1931 in just over a year—a record-setting feat of engineering—it rose during the depths of the Great Depression as a symbol of resilience and progress. Its sleek Art Deco design, with limestone cladding, stainless steel spire, and soaring setbacks, captures the glamour of early 20th-century architecture. Once the world’s tallest building, it remains an enduring icon of innovation, aspiration, and timeless style.

Building the Empire State was as daring as it was ambitious. Developers faced the challenge of financing the tallest building in the world at a time when most projects stalled. Construction itself was a logistical feat—over 60,000 tons of steel were hoisted into place with remarkable speed, while 3,400 workers labored under tight deadlines and dangerous conditions. Materials had to be delivered just-in-time in the middle of Manhattan’s crowded streets, with steel beams arriving in the morning and set into the frame by afternoon. Harsh winter weather, dizzying heights, and the pressure to outpace rival skyscrapers tested every crew on site.

A true testament to the power of American industry, the Empire State was the first building in the world to have more than 100 floors, and its steel frame was considered a modern marvel. At nightfall, the 200-foot crowning spire captures the city’s gaze, illuminated by tower lights that dazzle with ever-changing combinations of color. It’s no wonder the Empire State Building is the most photographed building in the world.

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