Chrysler Building, Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, United States
The 77-story structure rises 1,047 feet (319 meters) at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, constructed with steel, glass, and limestone. Its distinctive spire consists of seven telescoping arches of stainless steel, while the facade displays triangular windows and decorative Art Deco elements throughout.
Construction began in 1928 under the direction of architect William Van Alen for automotive magnate Walter P. Chrysler, with completion in 1930. The top floors were assembled in just four months, securing the title of world's tallest structure for eleven months until the Empire State Building opened. Ownership changed hands multiple times before the property sold to an investment firm in 2019.
This Manhattan tower has shaped the city skyline for nearly a century, representing American economic confidence during the era of rapid industrialization. It embodies the optimism and technological advancement of that period and stands today as one of New York's most recognizable landmarks, appearing in countless films, photographs, and works of art.
Open to visitors Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for lobby viewing only, as no observation deck exists. The main entrance sits on Lexington Avenue, accessible via subway lines 4, 5, 6, or 7 to Grand Central Station. Public restrooms are available within the lobby, and security screening is required for all visitors entering the premises.
The spire was secretly assembled inside the structure and hoisted into place in just 90 minutes to surprise competing architects and secure the height record. At the 31st floor corners sit silver ornaments shaped like automobile hood ornaments, honoring the automotive industry connection. The lobby ceiling contains a painted sky scene that changes appearance depending on the time of day and lighting conditions.
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 1, 2025 16:59
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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