Two years in the works, the restoration and recreation have resulted in a totally new yet historically faithful lobby with all the original Art Deco details. At the same time, the lobby is fully modernized, with state-of-the-art updates in tenant and visitor service and security.

The restoration involved a creative and historic collaboration amongst a team of best-in-class engineers, architects, artists, historians and craftsmen, including Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP; EverGreene Architectural Arts, Inc.; Hunter Roberts Interiors; Joan Irving Glass Design; Rambusch Lighting; The Lighting Practice, LLP; Two Twelve Associates; and overall building upgrade project manager Jones Lang LaSalle.

The highlight of this extremely complex undertaking is the faithful recreation of the original 1930s Art Deco ceiling mural, which features a celestial sky with sunbursts and stars in aluminum leaf and 23-karat gold applied to canvas. Designed as an homage to the mechanical age, in the 1960s, this mural was painted over and covered with an egg-crate drop ceiling with fluorescent lighting. But now, following two years and more than 20,000 person-hours of work, tenants and guests can enjoy the beauty of the recreated original.

Along elevator banks and side lobby corridors, 12,000 linear feet of intricate cast glass fixture lenses were recreated using plans located in the Corning Glass Museum, replacing the cheap plastic lenses that had taken their place. Using modern lighting technology that incorporates adjustable energy-efficient bulbs and ballasts, the stunning work of the project partners brought to life the original schemes, gently reflecting light against the silver leaf, which once again covers all the ceilings in this area.

The building's original bookmatched marble has also been restored after pieces underwent damage or removal during the ESB's history. The original marbles, from all over the world, were carefully chosen, and equal care was given to the selection of the replacement marble so that the newer material seamlessly matches the original stone that remains in place.

It is interesting to note that some elements that appeared in the original design blueprints never materialized, such as two ornate Art Deco chandeliers. These are now installed over the second-floor pedestrian bridges along the 33rd and 34th Street lobby corridors, following approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and fabrication by Rambusch, according to their original drawings, which were also discovered during the lengthy research process.

One of the final touches in the restoration process was the development of an Art Deco-inspired custom font for use on all interior and exterior signage. Two Twelve Associates created the ESB-trademarked font, which was also approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The restored Art Deco details are enhanced by other improvements within the lobby, including the dedication of tenant- and tenant-guest only entrances on 33rd and 34th Streets, and the new Visitor Reception Desk in the 34th Street lobby, complete with state-of-the-art technology and backed with an exciting new glass mural by noted glass artist Joan Irving.

"The renovated lobby blends history, original aesthetics, and advanced technologies to stunning effect," says Anthony E. Malkin, president of W&H Properties. "It was a monumental endeavor, but it is well worth it. As tenants and brokers can now see for themselves, the result brings the lobby up to the level of the Empire State Building's iconic stature."