Did you know there's another building called the Empire State Building? It's significantly shorter and less iconic, but it did have the name first. According to Curbed, 640 Broadway was built in 1897, and above its entryway were the words "Empire State Building," which will reappear following a proposed restoration.
via Curbed
Thanks to an approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the isle of Manhattan will soon have two structures dubbed the "Empire State Building." A once-divey, now-regal prewar rental building headed for a li'l facelift, 640 Broadway will have that moniker etched above its entryway after renovations are complete. Commissioner Michael Devonshire called the proposal "completely appropriate" and it was approved unanimously.
The nine-story building used to house the Empire State Bank, but currently features fancy apartments and penthouses, where, on one future night, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks will finally meet.
We've reached out to the real Empire State Building in hopes of getting some smack talk, and will update if we hear back.
