May 1
Empire State Building Dedicated in New York
President Herbert Hoover dedicated the Empire State Building from Washington by illuminating its lights, as New York marked the opening of the world's tallest skyscraper during the Great Depression.
Summary
During the Great Depression, ambitious construction projects symbolized hope and American enterprise amid economic hardship. The Empire State Building site on Fifth Avenue was cleared after the Waldorf-Astoria hotel closed, and construction began in 1930 under a tight schedule to outpace competitors. On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover dedicated the 102-story skyscraper from Washington by pressing a button to illuminate its lights, while ceremonies occurred in New York with Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and others present. Completed in just over a year, it stood as the world's tallest building at the time. The opening drew massive public attention despite the era's challenges.
Context
The stock market crash of 1929 plunged the United States into the Great Depression, bringing mass unemployment and economic contraction. In New York City, major building projects offered both jobs and a visible assertion of continued progress amid widespread hardship. Developers raced to claim the title of world's tallest structure, with the recently completed Chrysler Building setting a high bar for competitors.
The chosen site on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets had housed the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel until its closure in 1929. Empire State Inc., a group that included financier John J. Raskob and former governor Al Smith, purchased the property and engaged the firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon to design a tower that would exceed all rivals in height and speed of construction.
What Happened
Work on the Empire State Building started on March 17, 1930. The general contractor Starrett Brothers and Eken coordinated a workforce that reached as many as 3,400 people on peak days, advancing the steel frame at rates of four and a half stories per week in places. The structure was topped out by mid-September 1930 and structurally complete by April 11, 1931.
Dedication ceremonies took place on May 1, 1931. From the White House, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button that turned on the building's lights. In New York, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt joined other officials for events at the 102-story tower, which measured 1,250 feet to the roof and 1,454 feet including its pinnacle. The Art Deco design by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon emphasized clean vertical lines and setbacks that complied with city zoning while maximizing usable space.
Aftermath
Rental occupancy remained low for years because of the Depression, with only about one-quarter of the offices leased in the first year. The building nonetheless provided steady employment during construction and quickly drew sightseers to its observation decks.
Ownership did not turn a profit until the early 1950s, yet the structure stood as a tangible achievement completed on time and under its roughly $41 million budget.
Legacy
The Empire State Building held the record as the world's tallest building until 1970 and remained New York City's tallest after the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center until 2012. Its Art Deco form and rapid assembly techniques influenced later skyscraper design, while its status as a National Historic Landmark and perennial tourist destination has made it an enduring emblem of the city.
Popular culture has reinforced its iconic role through appearances in films such as King Kong and countless photographs, preserving its association with 20th-century urban ambition and resilience.
Why It Matters
The building embodied 20th-century engineering prowess and urban ambition, serving as an enduring symbol of New York and resilience; it influenced skyscraper design globally and remains an iconic landmark visited by millions, representing the pinnacle of Art Deco architecture and rapid construction techniques.
Related Questions
How long did it take to build the Empire State Building?
Construction began in March 1930 and the building opened on May 1, 1931, a period of just over thirteen months.
Who paid for the Empire State Building?
Empire State Inc., a group that included John J. Raskob and Al Smith, financed the roughly $41 million project.
Why was the dedication done by remote control?
President Hoover remained in Washington, D.C., and pressed a button that symbolically turned on the building's lights while local officials hosted events in New York.
Did the building make money right away?
No. High vacancy rates during the Depression kept it unprofitable until the early 1950s.
What architectural style defines the Empire State Building?
It is a prime example of Art Deco design, featuring setbacks, vertical emphasis, and decorative detailing typical of the period.
Related Portfolio Site
America 250 Atlas: Empire State Building Dedicated in New York is part of U.S. presidential, constitutional, or national civic history.
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Sources
- Empire State Building, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Empire State Building dedicated, History.com. Accessed 2026-07-10.