This model remains very faithful to the design of the real Empire State Building. The red, white, and blue colored upper sections simulate the building's nightly illumination.

The LEGO Empire State Building was built for a celebrity event at a galleria in New York City's Chelsea district, to kick off the search for a new generation of Master Builders and promote the launch of The LEGO Company's 2003 collection.

Situated as the centerpiece of The LEGO Company's International Design Gallery, this model was flanked by LEGO creations built by over 50 international designers and celebrities, including Kenneth Cole, Sophia Lauren, and Courtney Cox. The model was broadcast on news and television around the world and featured in LEGO Company interviews.

Atop, "Little Kong" triumphs the climb.





The famous tapered look of the Empire State Building is due to "setback" laws that were established in the 1920s, requiring buildings to slowly recede as they get higher. These laws were established to prevent dark, alley-like roads from becoming as common as they are in the older sections of the city.





Buildings make interesting models, but adding the human element is what keeps viewers' interest most. This little street scene at the base of the model often gets more attention than the building itself! See more photos of these little cars








The Empire State Building is lit up every night; the colors are always different, but Red, White, and Blue are often used to celebrate America on various holidays. These colors remained in place every night for over a year after the September 11th attacks, which is why Sean chose to use them here.