Next we drove by the Empire State Building. It was constructed in 1930 and completed in just 14 months. It was expected to cost $50 million dollars but due to the depression the cost was under $25 million. It was a WPA project during the depression and 7 million man hours were spent on building it during those 14 months. Another building which is shown in many movies is the Flat Iron Building. It has a steel frame which is covered with a non-load-bearing limestone and terra-cotta facade -22 floors. The Flat Iron Building was completed in 1902 and was the first building in New York with a steel frame. The area just above the top floor was originally designed to be a dock for landing dirigibles but it was too windy and so after several trys it was abandoned. The building also has the honor of being the oldest surviving skyscraper in New York City. We will go to the top of this building at the end of the bus tour. For more info this is their official web site: https://www.esbnyc.com/tickets/index.cfm?CFID=22992743&CFTOKEN=79297085