Step 1 : Introduction to the question "What iconic building was designed as an airship docking station?"
The Empire State Building was originally designed to serve as a docking station for airships. It's pointed top, now a signature feature of the skyline, was intended to accommodate airship mooring. However, this ambitious idea proved impractical due to strong winds and safety concerns at such heights, as well as the logistical challenges of docking and tethering massive airships. While a series of dramatic airship disasters and the development of aircraft would spell the end of commercial passenger airships, the Empire State Building's mooring mask continues to stand there today.