The building’s spire was originally intended as “a mooring mast for dirigibles,” as Anthony Robins explains in New York Art Deco: A Guide to Gotham’s Jazz Age Architecture. “Theoretically, passengers would exit the dirigible at the building’s top, 1,250 feet in the air, and be whisked by elevators down to midtown’s streets. It never happened,” Robins writes.
Interior Design of the Empire State Building
From a design standpoint, the original Fifth Avenue lobby is undoubtedly the most impressive interior space tourists will have the opportunity to see while visiting the Empire State Building. Restored by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners to align with the original design as much as possible, the triple-height lobby features marble walls, a metal mural of the building designed by metalworker Oscar Bach on the back wall, and a ceiling mural of stars, planets, the sun, and the moon.
The ceiling mural had previously been covered with a drop ceiling in the ‘60s, and it suffered smoke and water damage in the 80+ years between its creation and the restoration. The Beyer Blinder Belle team worked with mural restoration firm EverGreene Architectural Arts to meticulously recreate it based on historical photos, as recounted in the Art Deco Society of New York journal.
“There are so many unique elements to the Empire State Building that make it an iconic architectural gem cherished by so many around the world,” Yuri Choi, director of design and turnkey services for Empire State Realty Trust, tells AD. “The fascinating Art Deco design; traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial elements; metallic colors that feature sunbursts, zigzags, and other dramatic shapes; as well as the 24-karat gold and aluminum leaf mural on the building’s ceiling are just some of the characteristics that make this building so special.”
Empire State Building Uses
Since its inception, the Empire State Building has been intended to serve as both a tourist attraction and an office building. Current office tenants include LinkedIn, Shutterstock, JCDecaux, and Skanska, among others. One of the building’s exhibitions showcases a handful of the office tenants, offering a glimpse at how each one has decorated their square footage. All office tenants have access to a 15,000-square-foot fitness club, 10,000 square feet of lounge space, and more amenities located within the building.
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