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Listen "The Empire State Building"
Episode Synopsis
How was the world’s tallest building constructed in just 1 year and 45 days?
When the Empire State Building opened on May 1st, 1931 it stood as the tallest building in the world. It would hold that record for an unprecedented 40 years. Built ahead of schedule and under budget, it remains today an icon of American ambition.
In this episode of Project Blueprint, discover how an unlikely partnership between an automobile magnate and a New York politician created an architectural icon. This is a story of Art Deco design, ruthless competition, and a construction battle waged at breakneck speed. Join us as we trace how the world’s most famous skyscraper went from bold idea to enduring legend.
What You’ll Learn:
How a failed presidential bid kickstarted the 20th century’s greatest construction project
The inspiration behind the building’s Art Deco design
Why logistics made the difference between success and failure
How a record-breaking project can finish on time and under budget
0:00:00 — Introduction
0:03:48 — Boom of the 20s
0:11:50 — An Unlikely Partnership
0:29:51 — The Site
0:42:48 — The Architects
1:12:26 — The Competition
1:31:01 — The Builders
1:58:53 — Construction
2:29:48 — Legacy
2:43:17 — Analysis
Links:
Construction Footage
Interviews with the Builders
Sources
Get email updates every time a new episode is released - plus bonus material that didn’t make it into the show
Send us feedback or suggestions for the next episode
Follow us on X
When the Empire State Building opened on May 1st, 1931 it stood as the tallest building in the world. It would hold that record for an unprecedented 40 years. Built ahead of schedule and under budget, it remains today an icon of American ambition.
In this episode of Project Blueprint, discover how an unlikely partnership between an automobile magnate and a New York politician created an architectural icon. This is a story of Art Deco design, ruthless competition, and a construction battle waged at breakneck speed. Join us as we trace how the world’s most famous skyscraper went from bold idea to enduring legend.
What You’ll Learn:
How a failed presidential bid kickstarted the 20th century’s greatest construction project
The inspiration behind the building’s Art Deco design
Why logistics made the difference between success and failure
How a record-breaking project can finish on time and under budget
0:00:00 — Introduction
0:03:48 — Boom of the 20s
0:11:50 — An Unlikely Partnership
0:29:51 — The Site
0:42:48 — The Architects
1:12:26 — The Competition
1:31:01 — The Builders
1:58:53 — Construction
2:29:48 — Legacy
2:43:17 — Analysis
Links:
Construction Footage
Interviews with the Builders
Sources
Get email updates every time a new episode is released - plus bonus material that didn’t make it into the show
Send us feedback or suggestions for the next episode
Follow us on X
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