The operations of the Equitable Building were described as being akin to a small city. When the building opened, there was a power station below ground level. It contained seven boilers with a combined output of , which took up a space measuring . There was also an artificial ice plant. The power station originally burned oil, consuming 2.5 million barrels per year, but started using coal in 1934 due to a rise in fuel prices. At the time of completion, the Equitable Building was said to have more telephones than did all of Greece.