Empire state building construction death toll

As one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Empire State Building stands as a testament to human achievement and the spirit of New York City. However, its construction history is not without tragedy. This article aims to delve into the fatalities that occurred during its construction, a subject often overshadowed by the building's grandeur.

Construction of the Empire State Building

The construction of the Empire State Building was an enormous undertaking. The project began in March 1930 and was completed in April 1931, taking just over a year, or more precisely, 410 days​. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world, standing at 1,454 feet tall with 102 floors​​. The construction was performed at a record pace, with as many as 3,400 men working each day to assemble its skeleton at a rate of four and a half stories per week​​.

Fatalities during Construction

The construction of the Empire State Building was a remarkable achievement in architectural and engineering terms and came at a human cost. According to official records, five people died during the building's construction, which spanned just over a year from 1930 to 1931.

The causes of these fatalities varied, illustrating the multitude of dangers present on a construction site, particularly one of such an unprecedented scale:

1. Struck by a Truck: One of the construction workers was killed in a truck accident. The specifics of this incident are not detailed in the records, but it underscores the dangers posed by heavy machinery on construction sites.

2. Fall Down an Elevator Shaft: Elevator shafts, while crucial to functioning a skyscraper like the Empire State Building, pose significant risks during construction. One worker tragically lost his life by falling down an elevator shaft.

3. Killed by Explosives: Using explosives is sometimes necessary for large-scale construction, particularly in groundwork a

Whether you’re visiting New York City for the first time, or you have visited it on a thousand and one different occasions, the Empire State Building is a landmark that will always make you stop for a second and be aware of the most amazing fact of all: you’re in NYC!

As if we didn’t already love the Empire State Building enough, it turns out that there are a lot of fun, and even wacky, facts about it. Read on to discover some things about this historical landmark that will make you look at it in a different light next time you visit.

It was originally supposed to have a dirigible anchor

Originally, the 17-story spire was supposed to be a dirigible anchor and passenger gate. 

The current top observation deck (at 1,250 feet!) is enclosed. But, in the original plans, it was an outdoor platform where passengers loaded on and off transatlantic dirigibles parked over midtown.

After high winds nearly led to catastrophe, the plan was abandoned.

The construction work of the Empire State Building was not easy

According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction of the building. 

There are also plenty of stories surrounding the construction work of the building, as well as many unofficial accounts that point to higher numbers. 

What we’re sure of is that it wasn’t a job for people scared of heights.

On July 28, 1945, a B-25 bomber that was lost in fog slammed into the north wall of the 78th and 79th floors. Fourteen people were killed (it was a Saturday, so many offices were empty). 

Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver survived a plunge of 75 stories inside an elevator, the Guinness World Record for the longest (survived) elevator fall recorded. She went on to live a long and prosperous life.

There was no important structural damage to the building, which opened for business on the following Monday.

A person that jumped out of and back in the Empire

The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic symbols of the 20th century and a clear representation of the American Dream. From a distance, the image of the grand building is impressive; to think it was built without the loss of human life seems almost impossible.

Sadly, many people died while constructing this remarkable building, climbing to dizzying heights of 1,250 feet. The exact number of the fatalities is unknown, and the truth behind these stories is still subject to debate. This article aims to uncover just how many people tragically died while erecting the Empire State Building.

What is the Empire State building?

The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic and recognizable skyscrapers in the world. Standing tall in midtown Manhattan, it captures the essence and energy of New York City.

The colossal, magical building stands 102 stories high, stretching a whopping 1250 feet into the sky. Notwithstanding the breathtaking architecture and unparalleled view of the city, the Empire State Building has an emotional, almost spiritual, impact on people.

But before it could captivate the public with its breathtaking beauty, the Empire State Building had to be built– a colossal task that took superhuman effort. Construction workers risked their lives every day on the iron beams of the building, high above the ground, in order to bring a dream alive. And unfortunately, several workers paid with their lives. The harsh realities of the construction process meant that a significant number of people died building the Empire State Building. This is a sad and heartbreaking reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who worked hard and withstood unimaginable danger to manifest this landmark of a building.

Who owns the Empire State Building?

The striking edifice of the

Back when it was completed in 1931, the 102-story art deco skyscraper was the tallest building in the world — and it remained so for over 40 years. It was also built insanely fast. Not only for something built in the 1930s, but even today it would seem impossible to complete a 1,250-foot-high skyscraper in just 410 days. This means workers were completing four and a half floors a week. Given the technology and tools available in the 1930s, this was no easy feat.

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And it wasn’t one that came cheap either — in today’s money, the land, planning, and construction of the Empire State Building cost the equivalent to over $750 million. Sounds like a lot of money, but this was actually under budget (and ahead of schedule).

The Daredevil Sky Boys

As impressive as the Empire State Building still is today, perhaps more impressive is the men who are behind its construction. You’ve seen the photos: workers walking or sitting on beams swinging up 80 stories up in the air, hanging from precarious cables or jumping over open spaces hundreds of feet above the street. This wouldn’t be possible today, when (thankfully) safety regulations and standards would demand the use of harnesses as a very minimum — but these daredevils were even a rarity back then, and press photographers loved them.

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The 3,400-strong task force — often referred to back then as “the sky boys” — was made up of mainly Italian and Irish immigrant laborers who did everything from laying bricks and installing elevators, to setting up heating and ventilation, plus everything in between. A significant number of the ironworkers on site were Mohawk who had come over from the Kahnawake reservation specifically to work on the building. All workers earned $15 a day and on busy days (especially towards the end of the construction project), 3,000 men could be onsite at the same time.

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