I subscribe to HN for the insights into technical subjects I might not otherwise have exposure to. My primary takeaway has been "this is why we can't have nice things", whether it's safe air travel, affordable housing, or affordable healthcare.
Demolition on the Waldorf-Astoria began on October 1st 1929. Unforeseen financial difficulties slowed progress. Construction began January 22nd 1930. The steel structure of the Empire State Building was completed on September 19th 1930. Construction was completed April 11th 1931.
These days it's more difficult- impossible- to get permitting for low rise medium density housing buildings in a city with significantly more financial resources and significantly more demand for floorspace.
This is one of the reasons why housing prices in the Bay Area are always increasing. They literally can't build enough, and so what they do build is going to be expensive, because that's what's profitable.
Permits take longer than the building?!