Built: 1930 Designed by: William van Alen Type: Skyscraper Maximum Height: 1,048 feet / 319 meters Location: 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, United States
Building Rating 80% of readers like the Chrysler Building.
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E ven though no longer owned by Chrysler (now DaimlerChrysler) the building that bears its name remains hugely important as the poster child for art deco skyscrapers. It's most impressive feature is its steeple, formed in overlapping scales of gleaming steel with triangular windows inset. This most magnificent of the building's attributes was actually a second thought. The tower was supposed to be 925 feet, but then it was announced that the Bank of Manhattan building (40 Wall Street) would be 927 feet. This infuriated William P. Chrysler who wanted his building to be, "a bold structure, declaring the glories of the modern age" and didn't think being in second place was a way to get that done. A secret plan was hatched and the elements of the tower's spire were constructed inside the upper floors. Then when it was too late for the Bank of Manhattan to catch up, the key pieces of the spire were hoisted into place and in just 90 minutes, the building's height was raised to 1,048 feet. Just as its name outlived its seven owners, the Chrysler Building's magnificence has transcended the record books. It was only the world's tallest building for a year, but still remains an historic and cultural landmark.
Each of the 32 elevators are inlaid with a different kind of wood from a different part of the world. Other buildings have followed this model, including the Williams Tower in Houston, Texas which has different marble from different parts of the world in each elevator.
The building's original brochure boasted it had, "every contribution to efficiency, sanitation, comfort, and even inspiration that human ingenuity can conceive or money can buy."
The gargoyles on the 61st floor were created by Cesley Bonestell and modeled after the hood ornaments from the 1929 Chrysler Plymouth.
"Art Deco" is an abbreviation for "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes."
The Chrysler building was the first to use Nirosta metal on its exterior -- a mixture of chrome, nickel and steel.
Martin L.
Monday, December 5th, 2011 @ 1:33am
Rating: Five stars. This building is so awesome. Always loved it, forever will be loved!
Don Borgerson
Friday, November 14th, 2008 @ 9:44pm
Rating: Five stars. The Chrysler Building is a perfect art deco masterpiece. The night time illumination is a beautiful sight as well.
Lee Hull
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 @ 8:32pm
Rating: Five stars. To paraphrase Churchill....' this is not the end of the beginning of beautiful buildings but perhaps it is the beginning of the end of truly iconic skyscrapers.
gary morris
Sunday, April 1st, 2007 @ 11:12am
Have always loved the look of the crysler building.to me it represents the past the present and the future.I love the building especially when I watch CSI NYGARY.
Jon
Friday, January 26th, 2007 @ 1:03am
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful. Perhaps the greatest skyscraper ever built.
Richard Morrison
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 @ 2:54pm
Rating: Four stars. Truly Majestic, i have been in it myself, and Egyptian art is used very much, cubism and typical art deco
Graham
Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 @ 12:20pm
Rating: Five stars. This has to be the "Skyscraper of Skyscrapers!"
tamera whitener
Wednesday, July 19th, 2006 @ 7:38am
Rating: Five stars. superior to say the least coming to n y to see
Terry Staunton
Saturday, April 1st, 2006 @ 11:29am
Rating: Five stars. The most inspiring building on the planet. For me, it represents glory, ambition, drama, elegance and humanity. The ultimate symbol of truth and beauty.
mark
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006 @ 4:31pm
Rating: Five stars. Truly the most majestic building in the city. Awe-inspiring. The elevator doors have woodwork that is unbelievable. Greatest building ever built!!!!!!!!!!!
Wilbert NYC
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005 @ 2:34am
Rating: Five stars. its truly a architectural,art deco masterpiece its unique, it gives true meaning to the word architecture which involves Art and style in a structure design a world landmark
Doreen Foong
Wednesday, July 6th, 2005 @ 8:54pm
Rating: Five stars. In my opinion, the most beautiful building in the world. The design is simple but yet so intriguing.
Kyleigh Kovar
Sunday, April 24th, 2005 @ 4:28pm
Rating: Five stars. Its amazing. By far my favorite.
Matt Tischler
Tuesday, April 19th, 2005 @ 12:30am
Rating: Five stars. The Chrysler Building will forever be my favorite structure in the world.
Mal Walker
Sunday, March 13th, 2005 @ 1:35am
Rating: Five stars. 'The' skyscraper, once seen never forgotten, a thousand skyscrapers may be viewed but one will always remember the Chrysler Building.
Steve G.
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005 @ 10:36pm
Rating: Five stars. Indisputably the most beautiful building ever built.
Manuel Hinds
Sunday, December 26th, 2004 @ 3:40pm
Rating: Five stars. It is one of the greatest buildings in the world
Paul Gibson
Friday, September 24th, 2004 @ 10:51am
Rating: Five stars. I visited NYC in late 03 and although i was incrdibly impressed with all the skyscrapers i visited (particularly the Empire State) no of them come close to the beauty of the Chrysler. I think its the most beautiful building ever created and to see its chrome panels shining in the bright winter sunshine was an amazing sight. I got as far as the lobby but could get no further. What a shame.
Bret Reavie
Sunday, September 12th, 2004 @ 1:10am
Rating: Five stars. A pity that this beautiful building is not open to tourists.
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Martin L.
Five stars.
Don Borgerson
Lee Hull
Four stars.
Doreen Foong
Mal Walker
Bret Reavie