With the destruction of the World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks , the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City , and the second-tallest building in the Americas , surpassed only by the Willis Tower in Chicago . The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the new One World Trade Center reached a greater height in April 2012 . , it is the fourth-tallest building in New York City after One World Trade Center , 432 Park Avenue , and 30 Hudson Yards . It is the fifth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States behind the two other tallest buildings in New York City , as well as the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago . The Empire State Building is the 28th-tallest in the world , the tallest being Burj Khalifa in Dubai . It is also the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the Americas behind the five tallest buildings and the CN Tower
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Empire State Building