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Fun Real Estate Fact #7 - Why Does the Empire State Bldg Have a Spire?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Bend Premier Real Estate 200009031

 

Built in 1930, the Empire State Building is one of the most memorable buildings in the world and is an iconic representative of New York City and Manhattan Island. The skyscraper has been the location of famous movies (i.e. King Kong), the office of many businesses and at one time, the tallest building in the world.

The 200 foot spire on the top of the 1050 foot tall building was placed, according to former New York State Governor Al Smith and the construction chairman of the building, to serve as a mooring mast for the docking of dirigibles with the argument that the closest port for these blimps was in Ocean County, NJ at the time.  However, many believe that the reason the spire was really placed was to top the 1046 foot tall Chrysler Building as the tallest building in the world.

If you have a chance to visit New York City, a stop at the Empire State Building is a must. Seeing the stunning 1930's architecture and hearing the story of how the building was constructed is very much worth the time.

Original blog can be seen at Bend Premier Real Estate.

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

I have heard it was to make it taller than the Chrysler building the other sounds more iffy to me! But fun fact are just that no?

Mar 02, 2018 12:58 PM
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert - Yes - I think also it was to be the tallest building, but the idea of mooring a blimp to the Empire State Building is a fun thing to visualize!  But how would they get from the blimp to the building????

Mar 02, 2018 01:07 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Lynnea,

Fun story, and somewhere along the line, I heard this story.  Thanks for refreshing my memory.  Enjoy the weekend.  A

Mar 02, 2018 01:25 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing this story.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mar 03, 2018 07:12 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Lynnea Miller  Very interesting... I had never heard of the spire to be used for dirigible, but I had heard it was to make it the tallest building (at the time). 

Mar 04, 2018 04:24 PM
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Hi Lisa Von Domek .  The idea of the dirigibles sounds really far fetched to me.  I cannot imagine how you would get from the blimp to the building. That is a long ways down to miss a step!

Mar 04, 2018 05:30 PM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Hi,  Lynnea.  I have only been to the Empire State Building in New York City one time. Yes, it will always be a fond memory.

Mar 05, 2018 02:03 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, interesting fact, Lynnea! I had always heard it was to become taller than the Chrysler building too so, interesting fact!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Mar 10, 2018 10:28 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Lynnea, I have been to the Empire State building and even to the Twin Towers that are no longer here since 9/11... Endre

Mar 12, 2018 10:50 PM
Lynnea Miller

Endre Barath, Jr. - I have too - last November in particular.  The 9/11 museum is a must see.

Apr 04, 2018 03:44 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I've been up there twice and did get to the top of the Twin Towers too. Oh what a  view.

Mar 13, 2018 06:00 PM
Ben DeHaven
Haven Realty & Investments - Lakeland, FL
Proudly serving Winter Haven & Lakeland, Florida

I thought "dirigibles" might mean blimps, and I was right!

Apr 03, 2018 07:19 AM