The Chrysler Building is New York’s great Art Deco masterpiece, and for my money, the most beautiful skyscraper in the world. It’s not the tallest anymore, but it has something its taller neighbors lack — personality. The gleaming stainless steel crown catches the sunrise in a way that makes you stop mid-step and just stare up.
History
Walter Chrysler, the automobile magnate, commissioned the building in 1928 as a monument to his company’s success. Architect William Van Alen designed it, and the two engaged in a fierce competition with the nearby Bank of Manhattan Trust Building to claim the title of world’s tallest. Van Alen’s secret weapon was the 185-foot spire, assembled inside the building’s crown and raised into position in just 90 minutes — a move that secured the height record at 1,046 feet. The building opened in 1930 but held the tallest title for less than a year before the Empire State Building topped it in 1931. The Chrysler Building’s lobby features African marble, onyx, and elevator doors inlaid with art deco designs inspired by Chrysler automobiles.
Features and Highlights
- The iconic stainless steel crown with seven concentric arches inspired by radiator grilles of Chrysler cars
- The 61st-floor eagle gargoyles replicating 1929 Chrysler Plymouth hood ornaments
- The triangular lobby with its 1930s lighting fixtures and murals depicting transportation and industry
- The elevator doors decorated with inlaid wood depicting the Chrysler building, airplanes, and automobiles
- The observation deck on the 71st floor (now closed to the public but historically famous)
- The structure’s use of Nirosta stainless steel in the crown — the first major architectural use of this material
- The building’s striking triangular windows at each corner that form part of the crown’s visual language
Visitor Tips
The Chrysler Building doesn’t have a public observation deck anymore, but you can visit the lobby during business hours — and you absolutely should. The lobby is open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and the art deco details are breathtaking. The best photo of the crown comes from street level at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. For a skyline shot that includes the Chrysler Building, head to the East River esplanade or take the Roosevelt Island Tram. The building at night, when the triangular windows glow, is even more dramatic than in daylight.
Cultural Impact
The Chrysler Building appears in more establishing shots of New York City than any other skyscraper — it’s shorthand for Manhattan glamour and ambition. It’s been featured in Spider-Man, Godzilla, Armageddon, and countless other films. The building represents the peak of the Art Deco movement in architecture, a style that defined New York’s skyline in the 1920s and 1930s. If you’ve taken photos from the top of the Empire State Building – New York City, you’ve likely caught the Chrysler Building glinting below. It stands as a landmark in Manhattan, New York City that connects the Midtown business district with the historic Grand Central Terminal – New York City, making it part of one of the most architecturally rich walks in the city.
Location and Contact
- Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174
- Coordinates: 40.7516° N, 73.9755° W
- Lobby Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM weekdays
- Official Site: Chrysler Building Information
- Wikipedia: Chrysler Building on Wikipedia
CONTACT US
For more information or to visit us, here are our branch addresses:
- Branch 1: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Branch 2: Sobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Email: gracezelguerra22@gmail.com
- Phone: 09460480491
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PH Time)
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