Tower Facts & Figures Date of Birth: The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 for the Universal Exposition celebrating the centenary of the French Revolution. Contractor : Gustave Eiffel & Cie. Engineers : Maurice Koechlin & Emile Nouguier. Architect : Stephen Sauvestre. Studies began : 1884. Construction : 1887 - 1889 (2 years, 2 months and 5 days). Workmen: 50 engineers, designers produced 5,300 "blueprints" 100 ironworkers produced the 18,038 individual parts to be assembled 121 men working the construction site. Weight: The Eiffel Tower is relatively lightweight , creating a force of only 4.5kg/cm2 on the foundation. If the Tower was placed in an air cylinder, its weight would not be more than that of the air cylinder.Metal framework weight : 7,300 tons. Total weight : 10,000 tons. Height: 1889 (height with flag): 312.27m 1991 (height with antenna): 317.96m 1994 (height with antenna): 318.70m 2000 (height with antenna): 324.00m Until the construction of the Chrysler Building in 1930 by William Van Allen, architect, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world.