Huge erection

I am sure that every person that has the chance to go up the Empire State building in New York is both impressed with the view and the structure itself.  The building really is huge, especially compared to minnows like the Gherkin or Canary Wharf.  It amazes me that it was finished in 1931 and so much work was done by hand.
  
The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Instead of taking 18 months as anticipated, the construction took just under fifteen. Due to reduced costs during the Depression, the final costs totaled only $24.7 million (372.8 million 2012 dollars) instead of the estimated $43 million.
  
Some images have just been released by the NYPL Digital library and they are very impressive - though not if you suffer from a fear of heights.