The Empire State Building Facade: Evaluation and Repair of an Engineering Landmark

Abstract

The Empire State Building was completed in 1931, after only one year and 45 days of construction. At 1250 ft. to the top of the dirigible mooring mast (plus a two hundred foot tall T.V. and radio antenna mast) the Empire State Building was the world's tallest building for over 40 years. A New York City Landmark, the Empire State building has also been cited by the ASCE as a National Civil Engineering Landmark. One of the many innovative characteristics of the building is the unique early curtain wall design for this building's facade. This wall system bridged the technology of the traditional rigid masonry facades that predated it, and pioneered the concepts of flexibility that are now commonly incorporated into high rise building curtain walls. This article examines the challenges faced by the designers of the building and by the restoration engineers in its repair after 60 years of service. It should be noted here that 60 years without major restoration represents a very respectable service life for the exterior wall system of a high-rise building.