Chrysler Building, Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, United States
The Chrysler Building is a 77-story structure rising 1,047 feet (319 meters) at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, built with steel, glass, and limestone. The spire consists of seven telescoping arches of stainless steel, while the facade shows triangular windows and Art Deco ornamental details.
Construction began in 1928 under architect William Van Alen for automotive magnate Walter P. Chrysler and was completed in 1930. The upper floors were assembled in four months, making it the tallest building in the world for eleven months until the Empire State Building opened.
Office workers occupy most of the floors, while visitors step into the lobby to admire the decorative metalwork and polished wall panels. Many passersby stop on the sidewalk to photograph the illuminated spire at night, which has become part of Midtown's evening silhouette.
The lobby can be visited on weekdays, though there is no public observation deck inside. The main entrance sits on Lexington Avenue and can be reached via subway lines 4, 5, 6, or 7 to Grand Central Station.
The spire was assembled secretly inside and lifted into place in 90 minutes to surprise rival architects and claim the height record. Silver ornaments shaped like automobile hood figures sit at the corners of the 31st floor, honoring the automotive industry connection.
Location: Manhattan
Inception: May 27, 1930
Architects: William Van Alen
Official opening: May 27, 1931
Architectural style: Art Deco
Floors above the ground: 77
Elevators: 32
Height: 282 m
Made from material: brick, glass, granite, limestone, steel
Website: https://chryslerbuilding.com
GPS coordinates: 40.75143,-73.97572
Latest update: December 2, 2025 22:02
This collection brings together skyscrapers that showcase advances in modern engineering and architecture worldwide. These structures rise above metropolises and reshape city horizons, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the CCTV headquarters in Beijing with its two linked towers. Each building reflects a unique architectural approach and technical innovations tailored to its environment. The selection spans all continents and features buildings with various functions. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, 452 meters high and connected by a sky bridge, stand alongside New York’s One World Trade Center, which reaches 541 meters. The Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg is notable for its twisted glass facade, while the Torre Costanera in Santiago offers panoramic views of the Andes. Whether residential buildings like the Eureka Tower in Melbourne or commercial structures such as the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, these constructions demonstrate how contemporary architecture shapes 21st-century cities.
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
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