The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue (between 42nd and 43rd streets)
Year completed: 1930
Architect: William Van Alen
Client: Walter P. Chrysler
NEW YORK—At 1,046 feet to the tip of its shining spire and having bested the Eiffel Tower, the Chrysler Building was, in 1930, the tallest building in New York City, and the world. The Empire State Building stole its thunder a few months later in 1931, when it reached 1,250 feet.
The final height of the 77 story Chrysler Building was kept secret, and was thought to have come in second behind the Bank of Manhattan, now 40 Wall St., which was completed one week earlier and topped out at 927 feet.
Architect Van Alen deliberately kept secret the construction of the seven-story steel clad spire within the upper floors of the building, and had it hoisted into place in one afternoon, and suddenly—the Chrysler Building was the tallest in the world.
The Art Deco design reflects the Detroit automaker’s craft with eagle’s head gargoyles that resemble hood ornaments and a spire patterned after a radiator grill. A restoration in 1996 has returned the steel clad exterior to its shining brilliance.
The Chrysler Building does not have an observation deck, however visitors may tour the main lobby with its elegant chrome and marble Art Deco interior and ceiling mural by Edward Trumbull.
After the destruction of The World Trade Center towers in 2001, and with the addition of the Bank of America Tower in 2007 at 1,200 feet, and the New York Times Tower, the same height as the Chrysler Building and also completed in 2007, the Chrysler Building is now tied for third place in the race to the top of the New York skyline.
Sources: nyc-archtiecture.com and aviewoncities.com
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