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Chrysler Building, seen from ESB - New York City
Chrysler Building, seen from ESB
by Ciambella
Chrysler Building tips and photos posted by real travelers and New York City locals.
• 133 Photos
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Chrysler Building: The Metal Crown In The Sky
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  • Chrysler Building, seen from ESB - New York City
    Chrysler Building, seen from
    ESB
    by Ciambella, 4 more photos
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    Since the day it was presented to the public's scrutinizing eyes, Chrysler Building has always been loved, even in the dark of the Depression years. It has always looked as if it should be built in the future, centuries ahead of whatever year in which its contemporaries stuck. The future presents new beginnings and optimistic dreams; Chrysler Building emitted that feeling 75 years ago and still hands it out now, especially since after New York skyline was altered.

    It's a building with an air of both majestic and magic combined. In the daylight, its crown gleams in the sun, its spire pierces the sky. At night, the illuminated triangular windows lit up like seven rows of fish scales shimmering in the dark water. There is never a lack of movement in its appearance; it always seems ready to take off toward another galaxy, another future, another time and place.

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  • Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
  • Directions: Between 42nd and 43rd Sts. Take the 4, 5, 6, to 42nd/Grand Central
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    Chrysler Building: The most beautiful building in NYC?
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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Chrysler Building at Night - New York City
    Chrysler Building at
    Night
    by bct341
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    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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  • 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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  • Chrysler Building, taken from 42nd Street - New York City
    Chrysler Building, taken
    from 42nd Street
    by spgood301
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    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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  • 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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  • taken from sidewalk on 42nd street. - New York City
    taken from sidewalk on 42nd
    street.
    by butterflykizzez04
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    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: The Chrysler Building
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  • Built in the Art Deco style, between 1926-29, the 77 story Chrysler Building was the tallest in the world for one year, until supplanted by the Empire State Building. Originally intended to be the headquarters of the Chrysler automobile dynasty, it was instead rented out on its completion. I consider it to be the finest looking of New York's many skyscrapers.

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  • Directions: 42nd Street area
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