EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST LAUNCHES VIDEO CONTEST IN HONOR OF 85TH ANNIVERSARY

NEW YORK, NY (May 1, 2016) – Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) today announced the launch of its online contest, inviting students to submit short videos that capture how they envision the future of  New York City in the next 50 years.  

U.S. citizens between the ages of 13 and 18 can submit their videos via YouTube or the Empire State Building’s official Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages using hashtag #ESBDay starting today, May 1, 12:00 p.m. EST through June 3, 11:59 p.m. EST. Each video should be one and a half minutes or shorter.  

The Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 and dinner for two at STATE Grill & Bar, located on the ground floor of the building. Additionally, their video will be featured on the Empire State Building’s website, social media platforms, and in a window display in the building’s Fifth Avenue lobby windows.  The second prize winner will receive $500 and will be featured on the Empire State Building’s website.  

A similar contest debuted in 1965 when high school students submitted essays which communicated how they imagined New York City would be 50 years later. The Empire State Building has been New York City’s most recognizable and celebrated attractions throughout the years and ESRT was inspired to reintroduce the essay contest in celebration of the Empire State Building’s 85th anniversary. 

“The Empire State Building is the heart of New York City, and a staple of the city’s skyline and culture. To imagine the city in 50 years, is to imagine how it has developed around its beloved landmark and global icon. As it celebrates its 85th birthday, we look to the future to see how the building will continue to be important to all visitors,” said Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust.   

About the Empire State Building 

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building, owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., is the “World’s Most Famous Building.” With new investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper’s robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America’s favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world’s most beloved attractions as the region’s #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.empirestatebuilding.com, www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, @EmpireStateBldg, www.instagram.com/empirestatebldg, www.youtube.com/esbnyc or www.pinterest.com/empirestatebldg/.  

About Empire State Realty Trust 

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the world's most famous building. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company's office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, as of September 30, 2015, consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties, including nine in Manhattan, three in Fairfield County, Connecticut and two in Westchester County, New York; and approximately 724,000 rentable square feet in the retail portfolio. 

Forward-Looking Statements  

This press release includes “forward looking statements”. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “pro forma,” “estimates,” “contemplates,” “aims,” “continues,” “would” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: the factors included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, including those set forth under the headings "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Business,” and “Properties." While forward-looking statements reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, or new information, data or methods, future events or other changes after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact the Company's future results, performance or transactions, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and other risks described in documents subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to the Company (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements).