On June 20, 1930, the construction of New York’s iconic Empire State Building reached a major milestone when its steel frame rose to the 26th floor. This achievement showed the speed, ambition and technical strength behind one of the most important real estate projects of the 20th century.

Work on the Empire State Building had begun in March 1930, and within a short time the structure started rising rapidly above Manhattan. The construction team relied on careful planning, prefabricated steel components, skilled labour and a highly organised workflow to keep the project moving at an extraordinary pace.

The building was completed in 1931 and soon became a defining symbol of New York’s skyline, commercial property development and the modern skyscraper era. The Empire State Building remains a powerful reminder that major real estate projects do more than create buildings; they shape city identity, economic confidence and architectural history.