Discover the Spectacular Art Deco Lobby of the Empire State Building

One of the most impressive features of the Art Deco lobby is its grand entrance. Located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the entrance is noticeable by a striking marquee with the words "Empire State Building" embedded in bold letters. Adorned with sleek geometric lines and Art Deco motifs like stylized eagles and sunbursts, the entrance sets the tone for everything inside the building.

The golden ceiling of the Art Deco lobby inside the Empire State Building is another stunning feature of the space. Originally installed in 1930 during the construction of the building, the ceiling is entirely made of brass and decorated with concentric circles and sunbursts. To give the ceiling its golden hue, the brass underwent a process called ‘Dutch metal.’

The floor of the Art Deco lobby is made of two types of marble - the lower level is made of red marble from Tennessee, while the upper level is made of gray marble from Italy. Inspired by the Art Deco style, the marble is cut and laid in geometric shapes and patterns, creating a dynamic sense of movement. The marble floors were also part of the major restoration project that took place in 2009.

Adorning the back wall of the lobby, the stunning mural of the Art Deco lobby was the work of artist and illustrator, Hildreth Meière. It is made of 23-karat gold leaf and glazed tiles and is considered one of her finest works. The mural depicts a version of the constellations with golden stars and shiny tiles set against a blue background. The geometric shapes, golden hues, and dynamic placements, make this mural a masterpiece of the Art Deco style.

The bronze and aluminum decorations of the Art Deco lobby are an intricate part of the space. These decorations were carefully designed to create a sense of dynamism and include a series of geometric patterns and motifs with stylized eagles, sunbursts, and zig-zags. In order to give the decorations an aged and antique look, the bronze was treated with a patina, while the aluminum was left with its natural metallic shimmer.

The lighting inside the Art Deco lobby is a carefully considered aspect of the space. To portray the powerful symbol of the Empire State Building, the lighting was placed in a way that creates a sense of glamor and grandeur. Many of these fixtures were custom made for the lobby and given a coat of golden hue to match the other aspects of the lobby. The placement of the lighting directly compliments the golden ceiling, the marble floors, and the bronze and aluminum decorations.