The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City and the world, with its rich history, Art Deco design, and breathtaking views. However, beyond its fame as a tourist attraction, the building holds several hidden secrets and fascinating facts that even frequent visitors may not know. From secret floors to hidden historical moments, here are some of the most intriguing secrets of the Empire State Building.
1. The Secret 103rd Floor
While most visitors head to the 86th-floor observatory or the 102nd-floor observation deck, the Empire State Building has a secret 103rd floor that few people know about.
- What’s on the 103rd floor?
- The 103rd floor is a tiny platform above the 102nd-floor observatory, and it is primarily used for VIPs and special guests. Accessible only by a private staircase, this floor was originally built to accommodate airship mooring, though that never came to fruition.
- Today, the 103rd floor serves as a small, exclusive space with stunning 360-degree views of New York City—off-limits to the general public. Celebrities, dignitaries, and high-profile visitors are sometimes granted access to this secret floor.
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2. Airship Docking Plans
When the Empire State Building was first designed in the late 1920s, there were grand plans to use the building as a docking station for airships (dirigibles). The spire on top of the building was originally intended to function as a mooring mast for zeppelins.
- What happened to the plan?
- After the building was completed in 1931, it became clear that the idea was impractical and dangerous due to the intense winds at such a high altitude. In fact, only one attempt was ever made to dock an airship at the Empire State Building, and it failed. The plan was soon scrapped, but the spire remains as a symbol of the building’s bold architectural ambitions.
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3. A Time Capsule from 2011
In 2011, during renovations to the Empire State Building’s lobby, a time capsule was embedded into the walls. The capsule was placed behind a 24-karat gold leaf medallion in the Art Deco lobby.
- What’s inside the time capsule?
- The time capsule contains documents, photos, and memorabilia from the building’s 80-year history up to that point, including items that reflect the technological advancements and cultural milestones associated with the Empire State Building.
- The time capsule is intended to be opened in 100 years—in the year 2111.
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4. The Secret Basement and Tunnels
Beneath the Empire State Building, there are hidden basements and tunnels that are largely inaccessible to the public. These areas are part of the building’s infrastructure and serve a number of purposes, including utility access and building maintenance.
- What’s in the basement?
- The basement is home to several mechanical rooms and was once connected to the city’s underground train system, including a subway tunnel that links to nearby Penn Station.
- Some urban explorers have speculated that there are secret passages or forgotten spaces beneath the building that have not been fully explored, adding to the building’s mysterious aura.
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5. The Tower Lights: A Hidden Message System
The Empire State Building’s tower lights are famous for celebrating holidays, events, and social causes. While most people see the lights as decorative, the building’s lighting system has a unique feature: it’s used to send coded messages.
- What kind of messages?
- The building’s lights are often used to communicate messages of support, solidarity, or celebration for various causes. For instance, the tower lights up in red, white, and blue for Independence Day, rainbow colors during Pride Month, or green for Earth Day.
- The lights can change instantly, and the building’s lighting schedule is often planned months in advance, though sometimes the colors are changed in response to breaking news or important events. For example, after the death of famous individuals, the lights may be dimmed or illuminated in their honor.
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6. The Empire State Building’s Ghost Stories
With its nearly century-long history, the Empire State Building has garnered its share of ghost stories and paranormal legends. Several incidents over the years, including tragedies, have fueled rumors of the building being haunted.
- Ghostly Encounters
- Some staff and visitors claim to have felt eerie presences or experienced strange phenomena, particularly on the upper floors. The 86th-floor observation deck is rumored to be a hot spot for ghostly sightings.
- The building was also the site of a tragic event in 1947, when a woman named Evelyn McHale jumped from the 86th floor, leading some to speculate that her spirit still lingers in the building. Her tragic story became famous after a haunting photograph of her body was taken by photographer Robert Wiles, often referred to as “The Most Beautiful Suicide.”
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7. The Building as a Lightning Rod
The Empire State Building is one of the tallest structures in New York City, making it a natural lightning rod. In fact, the building is struck by lightning approximately 20-25 times per year.
- How is it protected?
- The building is equipped with lightning rods at the top of its spire to safely channel electricity into the ground, protecting the structure and its occupants. In fact, photographers have captured stunning images of lightning striking the spire during storms, creating dramatic visual effects.
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8. Hidden Film and Pop Culture References
The Empire State Building has long been a favorite in pop culture, from King Kong scaling its heights in 1933 to romantic movies like Sleepless in Seattle. But there are lesser-known references to the building in films and television shows.
- Easter Eggs in Movies:
- In Independence Day (1996), the Empire State Building is among the landmarks destroyed by the alien invasion. However, some sharp-eyed viewers have noted small inconsistencies in how the building is depicted in different scenes.
- The building also appeared in movies such as Elf, where the Empire State Building is shown as the headquarters of the character Walter Hobbs (played by James Caan), though its interior shots were filmed on a soundstage.
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9. A Record-Breaking Construction Feat
One of the Empire State Building’s greatest secrets is just how quickly it was built. Incredibly, the skyscraper was completed in just 410 days, a record-breaking feat at the time for such a massive structure.
- Why so fast?
- The construction took place during the Great Depression, and the project provided much-needed jobs to over 3,000 workers. To expedite the process, pre-fabricated materials were used, and the builders worked around the clock, often installing four-and-a-half floors per week.
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10. Secret Celebrity Appearances
The Empire State Building has been the setting for numerous celebrity appearances, including celebrity lightings and special events. However, some VIPs have enjoyed private, low-key visits to the building’s upper floors and secret spaces, out of the public eye.
- Notable Visits:
- Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith are just a few celebrities who have participated in the ceremonial lighting of the tower. However, certain celebrities are granted private tours of restricted areas, such as the 103rd floor or private terraces, offering them exclusive experiences.
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11. Fun Facts
- The Empire State Building is struck by lightning around 25 times a year.
- It took just 410 days to complete the building in 1931, a remarkable feat of construction speed.
- The building’s lights change color to celebrate holidays and special occasions (e.g., red, white, and blue for Independence Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day).
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Summary
The Empire State Building is more than just an architectural marvel and popular tourist destination—it’s a building filled with history, mystery, and little-known secrets that continue to intrigue visitors. Whether it’s the hidden 103rd floor, the plans for airship mooring, or its role in film history, the Empire State Building remains a symbol of innovation and ambition, with fascinating stories waiting to be discovered at every level.
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