But If King Kong Attacked The Washington National Cathedral, Things Might Have Turned Out Differently

Even though it took years and years to fill up all that office space, the Empire State Building is the most popular architectural landmark in the country:

The Empire State Building, the famed marvel of steel and stone at Fifth Ave. and 34th St., was named America’s favorite work of architecture in a public poll released yesterday by Harris Interactive and the American Institute of Architects.

“It’s one of those places you have to go see,” Ian Molyneux, 26, of Manchester, England, said yesterday as he took in the sweeping view atop the 1,454-foot-tall skyscraper.

“When you go back home, everyone’s going to ask if you went to the Empire State Building.”

The fallen World Trade Center and 31 other city landmarks were also listed among the nation’s 150 favorite structures, making the city the top architectural destination in the U.S.

. . .

The Empire State Building, which was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates, beat out the White House and the Washington National Cathedral, which ranked No.2 and No.3 respectively, in the poll of 1,804 people.

Location Scout: Empire State Building.