It's no longer the world's tallest building, though it lives that way in the memories of millions. But it is certainly one of the most easily recognized buildings in the world...and not only because of its role in classic movies, from King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle.
Yet its best features are not on the outside.
On a recent afternoon in midtown Manhattan, I snuck in to grab a few shots of a lobby that's been magical for me since childhood, a place that's more like being in a temple than a mere office building.
I said 'snuck,' by the way, because at each of the three entrances I walked through, on 33rd Street, on Fifth Avenue, and on 34th Street, I was quickly approached by uniformed staff, telling me to go to the observatory entrance, and telling me not to take pictures (though none could say why, or even if it is a rule.)
They even told me that the building is only open to employees—despite the fact that the entire ground floor is given over to retail, with entrances from the lobby!
In truth, the lobby is so special, I would have paid admission for it!
Looking out through the Art Deco front windows, above the main entrance.
Even routine fittings like the escalator entrances and the lobby floors and walls are special, and the wall-mounted artwork even more so.
Night photo by Hakilon/Wikimedia
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