Event: A Look Back at Building the Empire State Book

On May 1 from 6-7 p.m. EST, NYC’s The Skyscraper Museum will host an online event featuring the authors of the historical essays that provided the framework for Building the Empire State, a book that debuted 25 years ago. Still in print and now available in paperback, the book was the first publication from the archives of the newly founded museum. The historical essays by Carol Willis and Don Friedman were based on the original manuscripts of builders Starrett Brothers & Eken, the general contractor that orchestrated construction of the 1,250-ft-tall Empire State Building — the world’s tallest skyscraper from 1931 to 1971. Completed in 11 months, its frame rose more than a story per day; no other building has matched that rate of ascent since. The online program will look back at the book and the building, which is served by an Otis elevator system that was ELEVATOR WORLD’s Project of the Year in the Modernization category in 2020.