Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a publicly listed real estate investment trust founded in 2013, now owns the Empire State Building. Throughout its history, the Empire State Building was owned by various different corporations and people. Empire State Inc., a firm created by John J. Raskob and his partners to construct and run the skyscraper, was the initial owner. The Malkin family and its partners acquired the skyscraper in 2002 and founded Empire State Building Associates, which eventually became Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.