The Empire State Building is iconic for its height, breathtaking views, and stunning interior design. Visitors routinely stop dead in their tracks in sheer amazement and awe upon first entering the cavernous lobby. Pictures simply do not do it justice to convey the massive size, Art Deco design, and intricate details throughout. The Art Deco design you will see throughout was intentional. It was a popular interior design and architectural theme at the time and communicated the building’s intended enduring presence and immediate iconic status in New York City. Dive into the details that make this building an architectural symbol of American innovation.
The Art Deco Era
The Art Deco design style grew in popularity in France during the 1920s, and by the 1930s, it was everywhere globally. It features bold geometric designs that have symmetry. Zig zags, steps, sunbursts, and chevrons are all common motifs. Ancient Egyptian and Aztec art, sunbursts, flowers, and palm leaves are common adornments. You will see these as etchings, carvings, and reliefs.
The materials used in Art Deco are exotic woods, lacquer, marble, mirrors, and chrome. Gold, brass, chrome, and silver are used as accents. For the furniture adorning Art Decor spaces, you will see luxurious upholstery like silk, velvet, and satin. Color schemes feature vibrant, rich, and bold colors. Metallics, deep reds, emerald green, and deep sea blue are common.
Art Deco at the Empire
Art Deco aesthetics were at their height of popularity when the Empire State Building and many other iconic New York City buildings were constructed. The architects and designers of the building wanted to create a building that embodied innovation and modern ideals while respecting traditional methods. You can see this through the combination of traditional and modern materials and furniture.
The builders wanted the inside of the Empire State Building to exude sophisticated elegance that befitted the grandeur that you would expect to see with one of New York City’s newest and greatest skyscrapers. Art Deco fits the bill with the use of luxurious materials. Marble, granite, and limestone were chosen. Then, it is accentuated with stainless steel and aluminum for the accents.
Art Deco was also chosen for the architectural design of the outside of the building. This made sense since it features a streamlined design and clean lines, making it an economical design for construction. Continuing Art Deco inside created a streamlined look for the building inside and out.
Finally, the Empire State Building was built during the Great Depression, so the value of functionality and economy of Art Deco helped to align with what the country was feeling at the time.
The Grand Lobby
Upon entering the grand lobby of the Empire State Building, you will see Art Deco in its full majestic glory. The cavernous space with the incredibly high ceiling will make you feel small. Immediately apparent is the symmetrical design of the archways, columns, and panel motifs, which are hallmarks of Art Deco design. Luxurious materials were chosen, including limestone, marble, and polished metals. Throughout the lobby, there are decorative accents that feature sunbursts, geometric lines and shapes, and flora and fauna.
The floors of the lobby have geometrically intricate marble designs. The ceiling is a brilliant 24-karat gold leaf. It features a breathtaking mural of fine lines and gears that recognize the mechanical age America was going through at the time. The lines and gears are supposed to emulate the night sky, with a look of sunbursts and stars.
Other Art Deco interior design accents include three medallions above the main entrance. Each represents a form of new technology, Heating, Masonry, and Electricity. The furniture in the lobby also stays in line with the Art Deco design motif with plush chairs and sofas. The tables and display cases are made of polished wood and metals. Even the light fixtures have an Art Deco motif with geometric lines and shapes. They also have diffusers to create the indirect light of ambiance, a hallmark of Art Deco interior design.
The lobby's focal point is the large mural depicting the building’s construction. It prominently stands behind the lobby desk. Aluminum is artfully laid in stone to create the building; sun rays radiate from the top spire.
The Office Floors
The office floors of the Empire State Building do not reflect the bold Art Decor design that you see displayed in the lobby and observation decks. The floors can look very different depending on the company that leases them. Some of the most famous commercial tenants that call the Empire State Building home include LinkedIn, Shutterstock, JCDecaux, Booking Holdings, and Skanska.
Preservation and Restoration Efforts
With the Empire State Building being built in 1930, it has seen many decades of aging. It has shown many areas showing signs of aging and damage. If it wasn’t addressed, there was a risk of many of the beautiful features and elements to the sands of time. Historians and artists went to work in 2007 to save this beautiful building and bring it back to its former glory. It took two years and 20,000 hours to restore the building. This included meticulously restoring thousands of square feet of aluminum and gold leaf. Over 12,000 square feet of glassware was recreated by artisans to update the aging glasswork throughout the building’s lobby and observation decks. Any damaged marble was carefully removed and replaced with a new piece of stone.
See the Empire State Building in Person
Most people visit the Empire State Building because they want to see the view from the observation decks. While this is definitely a can’t-miss experience, it isn’t the only thing worth seeing during your visit. Plan to spend some time in the lobby so that you can take in all of the details from the floor to the walls and ceiling.
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