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Chrysler Building, New York City

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Chrysler Building: The most beautiful building in NYC?
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  • sue_stone
  • Updated By sue_stone on January 17, 2007
  • New York City Page by sue_stone
  • The Chrysler Building - New York City
    The Chrysler Building
    by sue_stone,
    2 more photos
    My favourite building in New York would have to be the gorgeous Chrysler Building.

    It was built by Walter P. Chrysler, the car manufacturer, as a status symbol and completed in 1930.

    It was the highest building in the world for a year, until the Empire State Building was completed. It is currently the 23rd tallest.

    The Chrysler building is one of the last skyscrapers in the Art Deco style. There are gargoyles (eagles) leaping out towards the top of the building that depict Chrysler car ornaments and the tall spire is modeled on a radiator grille.

    We had a look in the lobby - impressive Art Deco - and felt envious of the office workers heading up to their desk in one of the worlds most beautiful buildings.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, between 42nd & 43rd Streets
  • Directions: Close to Grand Central Station
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    Chrysler Building: My favourite skyscraper
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  • toonsarah
  • Updated By toonsarah on November 12, 2008
  • New York City Page by toonsarah
  • Chrysler Building - New York City
    Chrysler Building
    by toonsarah,
    4 more photos
    This is for me by far the most attractive of New York’s skyscrapers, and is the first I look for whenever I see a photo of that wonderful skyline. On our first visit to the city many years ago we stayed very near here, and when we came home I found myself really missing having this lovely piece of architecture on my doorstep.

    The Chrysler Building was constructed between 1928 and 1930 in the Art Deco style, and for the first few months of its existence was the tallest building in the world (before being overtaken by the Empire State Building). I found a quote (on the website below) which said that Walter P. Chrysler “wanted a provocative building which would not merely scrape the sky but positively pierce it.” Wonderful – that’s exactly what this building achieves, in my view

    Some of the elements in the decoration are typical of the Art Deco period, e.g. the use of a stylised sun-burst motif, but others are unique and reflect the building’s parent company. The extensive use of what appears to be chrome (but is in fact stainless steel) references a car, of course, and towards the top of the building you can see sculptures modelled after 1929 Chrysler hub and radiator caps. The most distinctive feature is perhaps the gargoyles in the shape of American eagles that peer out from just below the sun-burst spire. The building looks especially great in sunlight, when the chrome finish reflects the light so brightly, and at sunset when it really glows – see photo 5 for a view of it from the Top of the Rock.

    When the building first opened, there was a public viewing gallery on the 71st floor, but this was closed to the public in 1945. But even if you can’t go up this Chrysler Building as you can with some of New York’s other iconic skyscrapers, you can go inside to the lobby area, although when we were there on a Sunday access was restricted to the immediate vicinity of the doors. If you like the Art Deco style a look inside is a must, as it is stunning – clad in different marbles, onyx and amber, and with so much interesting detailing (see photo 4 for an example). But whichever way you look at it, this is certainly a beautiful building.

    [please do look at the website below for loads of stunning photos, including several taken during construction]

  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street
  • Directions: Nearest subway stations is Grand Central, served by several lines
  • Website: http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID021.htm
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    Chrysler Building: Chrysler Building
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  • madamx
  • Updated By madamx on October 24, 2005
  • New York City Page by madamx
  • Chrysler Building - New York City
    by madamx,
    1 more photos
    We would often use this distinctive building as our landmark that we were heading out the right way from our hotel in midtown.

    At 77 stories and 1046 feet, the Chrysler Building was at one time the tallest building in the world, until 1930 when the Empire State Building was completed. As Walter P. Chrysler wished, the steel spire of the building was designed to resemble a car radiator grill. The lobby was completely restored in 1978, where Chrysler cars were once displayed.

    If you are an Art Deco fan, this building is a total must-see. Don't miss out on the gorgeous exotic wood inlayed elevator doors. You can't get right up to them due to security gates, but you can get close enough for a good look.

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  • Address: 45 Lexington Ave (at E 42 Street)
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    Chrysler Building: The Chrysler Building....My favorite NYC building
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  • bct341
  • Updated By bct341 on April 11, 2004
  • New York City Page by bct341
  • Chrysler Building at Night - New York City
    Chrysler Building at
    Night
    by bct341
    Definitely the most dramatic and beautiful building that makes up the NYC city skyline. An architectual wonder with its unique top, and gargoyles and was a blending of old and the more modern styles of architecture. It was built in 1930 and has 77 floors. And, although it is only the 18th tallest building in the world, it is one of the finest.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street
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    Chrysler Building: Many a New Yorker's pride and favourite
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  • Christophe_Ons
  • Updated By Christophe_Ons on March 8, 2004
  • New York City Page by Christophe_Ons
  • Chrysler building at dusk - New York City
    Chrysler building at dusk
    by Christophe_Ons,
    4 more photos
    This breathtaking stainless steel Art-Deco skyscraper really stands out in the New York skyline. Its gargoyles, winged radiator caps and nightly-lit spire must be seen to be believed... awesome. The lobby, which at one point was a showroom for Chrysler automobiles, is accessible to the public and wonderfully decorated with marble, chromed steel, granite and paintings on the ceiling.

    Some facts :
    It was briefly the world's tallest building (ca. 320 m) when completed in 1930, until the completion of the Empire State Building (ca. 381 m).
    Architect William Van Alen outsmarted his rival H. Craig Severance in a competition to build the tallest building, as the Chrysler's spire was built in secrecy inside of the building and then lifted to the top.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue
  • Directions: Lower Midtown, on Lexington Avenue between 42nd/43rd St.
  • Website: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=114867
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    Chrysler Building: It sure looks like the Empire State Building
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  • spgood301
  • By spgood301 on April 18, 2005
  • New York City Page by spgood301
  • Chrysler Building, taken from 42nd Street - New York City
    Chrysler Building, taken
    from 42nd Street
    by spgood301
    The Chrysler Building was built around the same time as the Empire State Building; in fact, for a short period it was NY's tallest building. It's a little further uptown from the ESB, and is a beautiful building in it's own right. Along with the ESB, it owns NY's skyline.

    Think for a second about the brave people who constructed these huge buildings, in the 1920's and 1930's. They did their work so far above the city. As someone who's incredibly afraid of heights, I must salute these people-without their hard work and talent, NY wouldn't be the city it is today.

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    Chrysler Building: What a beautiful top!
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  • Mahieu
  • By Mahieu on November 17, 2004
  • New York City Page by Mahieu
  • Chrysler Building - New York City
    by Mahieu
    The Chrysler Building is best seen from some distance. From the top of the Empire State Building or from the Brooklyn Heights, you can admire its beautiful top. The angled windows are illuminated at night.
    The Chrysler Building has been the highest scyscraper for some time, until it was surpassed by the Empire State Building.
    It has been erected in 1930.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Ave
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    Chrysler Building: Chrysler Building!!
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  • butterflykizzez04
  • By butterflykizzez04 on March 27, 2005
  • New York City Page by butterflykizzez04
  • taken from sidewalk on 42nd street. - New York City
    taken from sidewalk on 42nd
    street.
    by butterflykizzez04
    Now we didn't actually go into the Chrysler building. We were walking down 42nd street towards "Grand central Station" and there it was. I took a picture from the street. It was not on our agenda to tour.
    This 77-story Art Deco-style building celebrates the automobile as well as the modern skyscrapers. In 1930, it became the world's tallest building but it lasted only a few months until the Empire State building was completed.
    If you get a chance to enter atleast the lobby you should. we have put it on our list to check out this april.

    only the lobby is open. It is free.
    8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. daily.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd street
  • Directions: Walk down 42nd street towards Grand Central Station, you can't miss it.
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    Chrysler Building: Chrysler Building
  • Tip Rating:
  • mrclay2000
  • Updated By mrclay2000 on April 13, 2005
  • New York City Page by mrclay2000
  • images of the Chrysler Building - New York City
    images of the Chrysler
    Building
    by mrclay2000
    Not far from the Empire State Building is the Chrysler Building. As the first skyscraper to top a 1,000 feet in height, it was once the city's tallest, but now it is almost drowned by other towering marvels. Otherwise the tower is without considerable distinction, save for the triangular panels on its spire, which give the Chrysler Building its distinguished crown. Built in an Art Deco style, the public first deplored this building (as with the WTC) until they finally accepted it in time. For me the stainless steel lobby and chromium nickel gargoyles are garish and unhappy throwbacks to a time when Americans began to approve "fanciness" over function in automobiles even though many stood in soup lines and job lines when the building was completed.

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  • Address: 425 Lexington Ave
  • Directions: Grand Central subway
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    Chrysler Building: Chrysler Building-an art deco classic
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  • Dabs
  • Updated By Dabs on December 31, 2004
  • New York City Page by Dabs
  • Chrysler Building - New York City
    Chrysler Building
    by Dabs
    I think this is my favorite building in New York City, I love the art deco details from the silver gargoyles and stainless steel spire on the the exterior to the beautifully restored interior lobby. It was built in 1928-1930, the 77 floor building was briefly the world's tallest building until the Empire State Building was completed just months later.

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