The [P 011 / Empire State Building] is such a popular tourist attraction that it's easy to forget its true function as an [L3 214 / N 003 / office building]. There are over two million square feet of rentable space that can accommodate up to 25,000 tenants.
When the building opened (in the depths of the Depression) [L3 414 / occupancy was low] - around 23 percent. A decade later occupancy had reached 45 percent. But it was not until the prosperous years following World War II that things picked up and the building achieved nearly 100 percent occupancy.
The builders had hoped that major corporations would choose the prestigious site for their headquarters. However, from its beginning, the building primarily has served [L3 215 / small companies], usually affiliated with the clothing industry.
