August 14, 2004

Empire State Building just trying to help

The Empire State Building, which expects to see 10 million visitors this summer, has installed 10 big enameled-covered panels to help observers figure out which buildings they're looking at below, the New York Times reports. The panels were originally drawn freehand by graphic designer and artist Keith Godard, who also created the hat mosaics in the 23rd Street subway stop as well as the bronze plaques on the Brooklyn Bridge he says were inspired by Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" in Florence. His skyline sketches were then computerized for the final rendition. (The font, by the way, is Futura.)

The story also notes the ESB has added an audio tour, which runs 22 minutes and costs $5. It's believed to be the first audio tour for the tower.

August 14, 2004 08:42 AM in Midtown, Romance, Sightsology

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