Chrysler Building
The 1047 foot tall Chrysler Building held the title of the world's tallest building for one year when it was surpassed by the Empire State Building
In the 1920s, New York became obsessed with breaking the record of the world's tallest building. The title was achieved when the 1,047 foot Chrysler Building was built in 1930, but short-lived being surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931. Almost thwarted all together by the Bank of Manhattan building being built at the same time, the stainless steel spire was constructed in secret and installed in 90 minutes giving the Chrysler Building the needed height win the title.
One of the most recognisable buildings in the Manhattan skyline, the 77-floor Art Deco building is currently the third tallest building in New York City. Since its restoration in 1996, the polished chromium nickel of the stepped dome building gleams even on cloudy days.
Automobile tycoon, Walter Chrysler purchased the design from architect William Van Alen and intended to make the building the Chrysler headquarters. Many decorative features inspired by Chrysler's automobiles including stainless steel eagle hood ornaments on the 61st floor and replicas of Chrysler radiator caps on the 31st floor.
Now a state of the art office building, the building is primarily used for business and there is no access for visitors beyond the lobby, but the intricate Art Deco marble floors and elevator banks are definitely worth a peek.
Nearby attractions: Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoOpen Now
Hours This Week:- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Address: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174, USA
Phone: (212) 682-3070
Official Website: Chrysler Building
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 5, 6 or 7 | Grand Central / 42 Street | 0-2 MInutes |
How to get to Chrysler Building by Subway
Take the 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central / 42 Street, exit onto 42nd Street and walk east to the corner of Lexington Avenue. Note that you may get better views of the building itself from farther back.
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Reviews
Rated out of 5
The Chrysler Building Held The Title Of The World Tallest Building For A Brief Period In The 1930's Before The Iconic And Historic Empire State Building Took Over The Title, And It Held It For Over 42 Years. That Remains The Longest Held Title In Modern Times. The Twin Towers Then Took Over In The 1970's But Didn't Held The Title For Long As New Structures Are Being Erected At An Alarming Rate And Speed Never Seen Before In The History Of The World. Of Course That Means That The Title Of "The Tallest Building In The World" Keeps Changing Hands. Chicago Sears Tower Surpassed The Twin Towers As Tallest In The Western Hemisphere, But World Wide The Title Kept Changing Hands. The One World Trade Center "The Freedom Tower" Became The Title Holder In The Western Hemisphere With A Height Of 1,776 Feet High Counting The Antenna. There Are Taller Buildings In The World And New York Might Never Held The Title Ever Again Again. Of Course, Only Time Will Tell. The US Could Be Richer If There Weren't WARS, Because Wars Leave HUGE Deficits Behind. The US Is The World's Greatest Deficit Holder As Defenders Of The World's Freedoms. Of Course, As The Space Age Develops With Trump's Space Force Leading The Way, The US Will Be The World's Top Economy Soon Enough. Then, The Next US Super Structure Could Rise. Thanks Readers Championship Sports Rules!
CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS SUPERSTAR NETWORK - 11 days ago
The Chrysler Building Held The Title Of The World Tallest Building For A Brief Period In The 1930's Before The Iconic And Historic Empire State Building Took Over The Title, And It Held It For Over 42 Years. That Remains The Longest Held Title In Modern Times. The Twin Towers Then Took Over In The 1970's But Didn't Held The Title For Long As New Structures Are Being Erected At An Alarming Rate And Speed Never Seen Before In The History Of The World. Of Course That Means That The Title Of "The Tallest Building In The World" Keeps Changing Hands. Chicago Sears Tower Surpassed The Twin Towers As Tallest In The Western Hemisphere, But World Wide The Title Kept Changing Hands. The One World Trade Center "The Freedom Tower" Became The Title Holder In The Western Hemisphere With A Height Of 1,776 Feet High Counting The Antenna. There Are Taller Buildings In The World And New York Might Never Held The Title Ever Again Again. Of Course, Only Time Will Tell. The US Could Be Richer If There Weren't WARS, Because Wars Leave HUGE Deficits Behind. The US Is The World's Greatest Deficit Holder As Defenders Of The World's Freedoms. Of Course, As The Space Age Develops With Trump's Space Force Leading The Way, The US Will Be The World's Top Economy Soon Enough. Then, The Next US Super Structure Could Rise. Thanks Readers Championship Sports Rules!
Beata Collis - 1 month ago
Old world history. Architecture like many of the original Chrysler structures. Mr. Walter Percy Chrysler chose to pay for the construction in full. In this way his children would own this building that we today refer to in so many different words.
luor ps - 2 months ago
Old world history. Architecture like many of the original Chrysler structures. Mr. Walter Percy Chrysler chose to pay for the construction in full. In this way his children would own this building that we today refer to in so many different words.
Carlos Auxier-Loyola - 2 months ago
James Gibson - 5 months ago
Video
Photo Gallery
Looking Skyward at New York City's famous Chrysler Building cc licensed photo by zoonabar -
Midtown skyline looking east, NYC cc licensed photo by Dimitry B -
Have you ever tried to climb the light? cc licensed photo by akigabo -
Tudor City Overpass, Day into Night cc licensed photo by John Cunniff -
Chrysler Building cc licensed photo by rwkvisual -
Midtown Skyline cc licensed photo by jakarachuonyo -
Manhattanhedge 2988v cc licensed photo by fernandosmagrane -
How high the moon cc licensed photo by tinto -
Panoramic view of New York from Top of the Rock cc licensed photo by biajoe -
61st floor, thick glass cc licensed photo by susanjanegolding -
Chrysler Building, from downtown cc licensed photo by Jeffrey
