The schedule was the responsibility of the contractors, Starret Brothers and Eken, Inc. The original schedule for construction of the Empire State Building called for overlaps in the various tasks:
Demolition: October 1929 - February 1930.
Excavation: January to March.
Structural steel: March to September.
Exterior masonry: June to December.
Metal window frames: May to January 1931.
Elevators and mail chutes: May to February.
Interior partitions: June to February.
Painting and revolving doors: March to occupancy.
The 86 habitable stories were completed 12 days ahead of schedule. The steel was topped out 12 days ahead of schedule, the exterior limestone 13 days ahead. Total construction time: one year and 45 days.
