The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Rising above the Manhattan skyline, this Art Deco masterpiece has captured the public’s imagination for generations.
This quiz looks at the building’s design, its rapid construction, and its role in pop culture. You will find questions about its height, engineering, and historic Hollywood moments.
After completing it, you can check out other famous landmarks, read about famous buildings, or learn about historical skyscrapers and towers.
In which city is the Empire State Building located?
Boston
Boston
Chicago
Chicago
New York City
New York City
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
In which decade was the Empire State Building completed?
1950s
1950s
1940s
1940s
1930s
1930s
1920s
1920s
During the early 1930s, the Empire State Building was primarily competing with which other skyscraper to be the world’s tallest?
The Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building
The Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building
The Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Which architectural style is characterized by the sleek, geometric forms and decorative motifs of the Empire State Building?
Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival
Art Deco
Art Deco
Modernism
Modernism
Neoclassical
Neoclassical
In the iconic 1933 film, which giant creature climbs the Empire State Building in the climax?
King Kong
King Kong
Godzilla
Godzilla
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Mothra
Mothra
How long did it take to construct the Empire State Building from the start of structural steel work to completion?
13 months
13 months
11 months
11 months
15 months
15 months
17 months
17 months
Which floor of the Empire State Building features its most famous outdoor observation deck?
98th Floor
98th Floor
80th Floor
80th Floor
86th Floor
86th Floor
92nd Floor
92nd Floor
What is the primary exterior stone material used to clad the Empire State Building?
Limestone and Granite
Limestone and Granite
Concrete and Rebar
Concrete and Rebar
Steel and Glass
Steel and Glass
Brick and Terra-cotta
Brick and Terra-cotta
What modern technology was installed in 2012 to update the building’s exterior lighting system?
Neon tubes
Neon tubes
LED lights
LED lights
Incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs
Floodlights
Floodlights
In what year was the Empire State Building officially opened to the public?
1935
1935
1929
1929
1933
1933
1931
1931
What was the original, albeit impractical, intended purpose of the spire at the top of the building?
A luxury restaurant
A luxury restaurant
A lightning rod system
A lightning rod system
A dirigible mooring mast
A dirigible mooring mast
A broadcast antenna
A broadcast antenna
Which film sequence featuring the Empire State Building was famously parodied in many later action movies?
Elf
Elf
An Affair to Remember
An Affair to Remember
King Kong
King Kong
Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepless in Seattle
Excluding the antenna, what is the roof height of the Empire State Building in feet?
1,350 feet
1,350 feet
1,150 feet
1,150 feet
1,250 feet
1,250 feet
1,450 feet
1,450 feet
Which historical event occurred at the Empire State Building in July 1945?
A daredevil successfully parachuted from the observation deck
A daredevil successfully parachuted from the observation deck
A lightning strike caused the top spire to collapse
A lightning strike caused the top spire to collapse
A military bomber crashed into the 79th floor in thick fog
A military bomber crashed into the 79th floor in thick fog
A massive fire destroyed the newly built mooring mast
A massive fire destroyed the newly built mooring mast
The construction of the Empire State Building took place during which major economic event?
World War I
World War I
The Great Depression
The Great Depression
The Housing Boom
The Housing Boom
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution
The modern lighting system of the Empire State Building is capable of displaying approximately how many different color combinations?
12 million colors
12 million colors
8 million colors
8 million colors
20 million colors
20 million colors
16 million colors
16 million colors
Which architecture firm was responsible for designing the Empire State Building?
McKim, Mead & White
McKim, Mead & White
Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Burnham & Root
Burnham & Root
How many stories does the Empire State Building have?
110 stories
110 stories
115 stories
115 stories
105 stories
105 stories
102 stories
102 stories
Which of these is a unique, officially recognized trivia fact about the Empire State Building?
The observation deck was designed by a famous French sculptor
The observation deck was designed by a famous French sculptor
The building has its own zip code
The building has its own zip code
The 102nd floor observatory was originally a loading platform for dirigibles
The 102nd floor observatory was originally a loading platform for dirigibles
The building is anchored on a bed of solid granite bedrock
The building is anchored on a bed of solid granite bedrock
In which 1957 classic romantic film do the protagonists plan to meet at the top of the Empire State Building?
Working Girl
Working Girl
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
An Affair to Remember
An Affair to Remember
Who was the primary financier behind the construction of the Empire State Building?
Walter Chrysler
Walter Chrysler
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Alfred E. Smith
Alfred E. Smith
John J. Raskob
John J. Raskob
Which design elements are structural signatures of the building’s Art Deco style?
Verticality, setbacks, and stepped masses
Verticality, setbacks, and stepped masses
Grand arches and flying buttresses
Grand arches and flying buttresses
Horizontal lines and glass curtains
Horizontal lines and glass curtains
Classical columns and pediments
Classical columns and pediments
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If you enjoyed this, try our quizzes on architectural styles, discover iconic film locations, or browse our main architecture section.
