Car Rental New York and the Empire State Building

Civilizations have always built great monuments to symbolize their achievements. The Egyptians had pyramids. Medieval Europeans built inspirational cathedrals. Today Americans build skyscrapers! New York City proudly houses some of the nation's most stunning examples of skyscraper technology, including the undisputed king of high-rise architecture - the Empire State Building. Built during the early 1930's, the Empire State Building is one of Manhattan's most iconic figures. It may be difficult to tell from the base of the 381 meter tall Empire State Building just how monumental this structure really is, but wait until you step into the lobby! Decorated in an ornate Art Deco style, the interior of the Empire State Building helps put the structure into perspective! Erected during the height of the Great Depression, the Empire State Building is much more than a high-rise office tower. Intended to provide New Yorkers with a sense of pride and achievement, the Empire State Building stands as a symbol of strength and integrity high above the streets of NYC.

A View from the Top: Visiting the Empire State Building Observatories

The Empire State Building Observatories are two must-visit New York City attractions. Someone once said that "you can live in New York your entire life, but until you see it from the top of the Empire State Building, you haven't seen the city". Located on the 86th and 102nd floor of the building, these observation decks provide car rental New York City travelers with an unobstructed view of New York City's concrete jungle. Car rental New York City customers are invited to see the city for the first time inside either one of these glass-enclosed areas, both of which can be accessed by high-power elevator. Heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, these beautiful promenades offer some of the most stunning views of New York City. High-powered binoculars are located at regular intervals around the promenades for increased viewing pleasure. Admission tickets to the 86th floor observatory are between $10 and $16. An additional $14 charge will be applied for those wishing to visit the 102nd floor observation deck. The observation decks are open to car rental New York clients 8am to midnight, 365 days a year. The last elevator up leaves at 11:15 pm.

Building an Empire: A Brief History of America's most Iconic Building

The Empire State Building is forever cemented into American history thanks to a fierce construction rivalry between Walter Chrysler (Chrysler Corp.) and John Jakob Raskob (creator of General motors). The race to see who could build the world's tallest skyscraper first quickly consumed the American public! Designer William Lamb, an architect from the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, developed the Empire State Buildings original form from that of a simply pencil. The clean, soaring shape was said to inspire him and it wasn't long before the building became realized in stone. In order to speed up the production process, Lamb requested that the building's posts, beams, windows and window frames were put together in manufacturing factories hundreds of miles away! In the end the Empire State Building would beat out the Chrysler Building in the race to build the world's tallest skyscraper. The building would remain the tallest building in New York City until the World Trade Center Towers were erected in the late 20th century.

Disaster and Delight: Interesting Facts about the Empire State Building

Car rental New York City customers might be interested to learn that:

  • In 1945 an Army Air Corps B-25 twin-engine bomber plane crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building. The pilot had gotten lost in a thick fog.
  • The Empire State Building is an acting "Ambassador to new York" providing many of the world's most renowned politicians and entertainers with an exclusive view of the city. These visitors have included Fidel Castro, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York.
  • The building's dirigible mast was originally designed as the mooring post for air blimps! The post is now used as a base for television antenna.

Car rental New York City clients interested in learning more about the Empire State Building can visit the official building website at www.espbyc.com. The Empire State Building currently houses 850 business tenants including travel agencies, barber shops and garment factories.

Check out the Brooklyn car rental All Car Rent a Car location at 1941 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234