The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. Dominating the New York City skyline since the 1930s, this historic landmark has stood as a symbol of human ambition and engineering marvel for generations.
This quiz looks at its rapid construction, classic design, and appearance in pop culture. Some questions are straightforward, while others ask you to remember details about its lighting and materials.
When you finish, check out more trivia about famous buildings, explore extraordinary skyscrapers, or study famous landmarks.
In which city is the iconic Empire State Building located?
New York City
New York City
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Chicago
Chicago
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
In which decade was the construction of the Empire State Building completed?
1950s
1950s
1960s
1960s
1930s
1930s
1940s
1940s
The Empire State Building is a world-renowned example of which architectural style?
Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival
Neoclassical
Neoclassical
Art Deco
Art Deco
Brutalist
Brutalist
Which skyscraper held the title of the world’s tallest building immediately before the Empire State Building surpassed it in 1931?
Bank of Manhattan Trust Building
Bank of Manhattan Trust Building
Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center
Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building
Approximately how many days did it take to construct the Empire State Building?
610 days
610 days
310 days
310 days
410 days
410 days
510 days
510 days
What primary structural technique was used to enable the rapid height growth of the Empire State Building?
Concrete block
Concrete block
Steel frame
Steel frame
Load-bearing brick
Load-bearing brick
Timber framing
Timber framing
Which floor features the building’s famous open-air observation deck that circles the spire?
90th floor
90th floor
82nd floor
82nd floor
86th floor
86th floor
94th floor
94th floor
In the famous 1933 film, which fictional giant creature climbs the Empire State Building?
Godzilla
Godzilla
Moby Dick
Moby Dick
King Kong
King Kong
Mothra
Mothra
Originally, what was the function of the building’s distinctive top spire?
A luxury penthouse residence
A luxury penthouse residence
A mooring mast for airships
A mooring mast for airships
A television broadcast antenna
A television broadcast antenna
A revolving restaurant
A revolving restaurant
What material primarily clads the exterior of the Empire State Building?
Marble
Marble
Sandstone
Sandstone
Limestone
Limestone
Granite
Granite
Under what original name did the skyscraper at 40 Wall Street compete during the ‘Race to the Sky’?
Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building
Singer Building
Singer Building
Bank of Manhattan Trust Building
Bank of Manhattan Trust Building
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower
What was the original height of the Empire State Building to the roof, excluding the antenna?
361 meters
361 meters
341 meters
341 meters
401 meters
401 meters
381 meters
381 meters
Which 1993 romantic comedy features a climactic meeting of the two main characters at the Empire State Building?
When Harry Met Sally…
When Harry Met Sally…
You’ve Got Mail
You’ve Got Mail
Sleepless in Seattle
Sleepless in Seattle
An Affair to Remember
An Affair to Remember
In which year was the famous new floodlighting system installed to illuminate the top of the Empire State Building?
1954
1954
1984
1984
1974
1974
1964
1964
Which color combination was used for the first color lighting display on the Empire State Building to celebrate the World’s Fair?
Blue, yellow, and green
Blue, yellow, and green
Yellow, black, and red
Yellow, black, and red
Red, white, and blue
Red, white, and blue
Green, white, and orange
Green, white, and orange
What modern technology now allows the building to display a vast array of color combinations?
LED system
LED system
Fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent lamps
Halogen floodlights
Halogen floodlights
Incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs
What key convenience made the building practical for tenants despite its immense height at the time of construction?
High-speed elevators
High-speed elevators
Riser pipes
Riser pipes
External scaffolding
External scaffolding
Construction cranes
Construction cranes
At which major Midtown Manhattan intersection is the Empire State Building located?
Wall Street and Broadway
Wall Street and Broadway
5th Avenue and 34th Street
5th Avenue and 34th Street
Broadway and 50th Street
Broadway and 50th Street
Park Avenue and 42nd Street
Park Avenue and 42nd Street
In which decade did the Empire State Building install its current state-of-the-art computer-controlled LED lighting system?
2010s
2010s
2020s
2020s
1990s
1990s
2000s
2000s
The site of the Empire State Building was previously occupied by which famous demolished hotel?
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
The Pierre
The Pierre
St. Regis Hotel
St. Regis Hotel
Plaza Hotel
Plaza Hotel
What tragic event in 1945 involved a B-25 Mitchell bomber hitting the 78th/79th floors of the building?
A deliberate act of sabotage
A deliberate act of sabotage
A plane crash
A plane crash
A fire during construction
A fire during construction
A structural collapse during a storm
A structural collapse during a storm
Which architectural firm was chosen in 1929 to design the Empire State Building?
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
McKim, Mead & White
McKim, Mead & White
Burnham & Root
Burnham & Root
Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
Shreve, Lamb & Harmon
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