Chrysler Building, New York City

Though the first man-made structure to surpass 1000 feet, the Chrysler Building at a cost of $20,000,000 had but a brief stint out of The Empire State Building's considerable shadow. It stood as the tallest building in the world for only the eleven months after its completion and prior to its more famous neighbor's construction. The Art Deco masterpiece is none-the-less a glistening beauty and consistently ranked amongst the architectural favorites in the United States. In fact, one noted poll has it ranked number nine. Number one you ask? The Empire State Building. It's still my wife's favorite and you can get great shots of it from the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. It is one gorgeous building and is always a standout on the horizon of New York's formidable skyline.

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The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Standing at1,047 ft) it was the world's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931.

The Chrysler Building is a classic example of Art Deco architecture and considered by many contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City. In 2007, it was ranked ninth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

I love the 1930's skyscraper style. It is best encapsulated by the two midtown giants - Empire State (qv) and the Chrysler building.

While the latter is not open to the public (except the lobby) it is well worth dropping in to admire it. it was the tallest building in NYC for a few months until the Empire State was opened.

When it was completed, this was the tallest building in the world - until the Empire State Building opened its doors just eleven months later. But while the Empire might reach higher, it falls short of what is easily the most beautiful structure in Manhattan. With its graceful, arcing spire, glowering gargoyles and intricate detailing, this Art Deco masterpiece is one of the most beloved and photographed icons of New York. It was also one of my biggest disappointments as visitors weren't allowed much farther than the door so all I was able to see of the interior, from the vestibule, was a bit of the amazing, red-marbled lobby and this piece of mural on the ceiling. Worth the trip? Absolutely.

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An art deco masterpiece created during the jazz age of the late 1920s by William Van Alen and finished in 1930, the Chrysler Building is one of New York's most iconic and beloved skyscrapers. The 319 m high architecture - the world's tallest brick building - is considered by many architects and tall building fans, to be the finest skyscraper in the world. The stainless steel metal ornamentation of the tower is based on features that were then being used on Chrysler automobiles.

On the survey researching the favourite architectural memories of the US, it achieved the ninth place, ahead of Congress Library and the WTC towers.

The observatory under the steel-clad spire has long been closed to the public. Legend has it that automobile tycoon Chrysler ordered it to be closed the day the Empire State Building surpassed the Chrysler Building in height. The object of the rumour, that there is a small bathroom in the peak of the skyscraper with a window overlooking the city.

The dark lobby with red Moroccan marble walls and yellow Siena marble floors is worth a visit. The ceiling covered by an elaborate and confusing mural, entitled, "Energy, Result, Workmanship and Transportation,", which contains itself the building, airplanes, and an automobile assembly line.

The elevators are each lined with a different inlay of wood, each from a different part of the world.
"Here is a city within a city.... Everything, that human ingenuity can conceive or money can buy, is provided"( W. Chrysler).
Taller buildings have been built since, but none of them is as fine as the Chrysler Building.

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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]

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The Chrysler building still holds claim to being the tallest brick building in the world. This art deco building is quite fascinating & definetly worth a peek inside the lobby. Its architecture is based on the designs used on the Chrysler automobiles replicas of radiator caps & hood ornaments it has a destintive crown, The spire is modelled on a radiator grill. Inside the roof is decorated with paintings of planes the images are a bit faded but still visible. There is an observation platform on the 71st floor however this is no longer open to the public.

A favourite of many, the Chrysler Building is one of the most incredible Art Déco structures in the world. After a fierce and frantic competition with the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building was completed in 1930 and, at 320 metres, became the world's highest structure. The title was only short-lived as its competitor stole the crown away when its builders installed an oversized radio tower on top. The Chrysler Building initially housed the Chrysler Corporation and the architecture of the building itself was inspired by the designs of Chrysler cars of the time.