Chrysler Building- New York City, NY

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]

Chrysler Building, New York City

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Chrysler Building, New York City

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