The Empire State Building, New York

The Empire State Building is a world famous skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

Architectural Style - Art Deco

Opened - 1st May 1931

Height - (To tip) 443m / 1454ft

Floors - 102

There are observation decks on the 80th, 86th and 102nd floors. The 86th floor has an enclosed and open air viewing area. The 102nd floor is completely enclosed and smaller.

This was my favourite of the three skyscrapers I visited due to the beautiful

workmanship of the building and the stunning evening view I saw. The only thing missing from the skyline was the building itself! Such an iconic building that is normally limited in reference to King Kong it has endured as a defining piece of the New York skyline. I was lucky to visit in February 2023. 

 

30 Hudson Yards “The Edge”

 

Sometimes known as The North Tower, 30 Hudson Yards is a skyscraper in the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, New York. 

Architectural Style - Neo-Futurism

Opened - 15 March 2019

Height - 395m / 1296ft

Floors - 103

On 100th floor you’ll find The Edge - a triangular observation deck with a bar and event space. This deck is at 1100ft and opened in March 2020 and is the second highest outdoor observation deck in the world after Skywalk in Madeira. 

The picture above was taken from The Empire State Building. The pictures of and in 30 Hudson Yards are from February 2023. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Midtown Manhattan, New York

 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of New York as well as a parish church. It occupies a city block opposite Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue and is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic Cathedral in North America. 

Construction started in 1858 as a replacement to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Work was stopped in the early 1860s during the American Civil War. Work was completed in 1878 and an Archbishop’s house and rectory were added in the early 1880s. As well as spires being added in 1888 and a Lady Chapel being added between 1901 and 1906, there were restorations in the 1940s, 1970s and 2010s. 

It’s impossible to summarise and document such a building on a quick post and even photographing the inside wasn’t entirely possible due to the fantastic detail and multitude of features. The sprinkling of photographs below are a selection from a quick “tourist visit” I was lucky enough to have in February 2023.