Chrysler Building is one of the most famous buildings in the world

The Chrysler Building is one of New York’s most iconic skyscrapers. This metal building has stood above Manhattan for nearly a century. It is a reminder that the heyday of the automobile and construction industries were key drivers of New York City and the American economy.

The Chrysler Building is located at the corner of Lexington Avenue and the famous 42nd Street. It faces Grand Central Terminal and is only a few blocks from the Queens Midtown Tunnel that runs under the East River to unite Manhattan and Queens.

The building was constructed between 1929 and 1930 under the direction of architect William Van Alen. The client was the car company, Chrysler. The inauguration took place on May 27, 1930. The Chrysler Building was then the tallest building in New York. It stands at 1046 feet and has 77 floors.

At a time when architects and companies were coveting the title of the city’s tallest skyscraper, the Chrysler Building only managed to hold onto its title for one year.

Indeed, on May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building took the title thanks to its 1250 feet and an interminable antenna that propelled the record to 1470 feet high.

The symbols of the Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building starts with a steel frame covered with metal. Its construction required 20 961 tons of steel, 391 881 rivets, and 3 826 000 bricks.

The building is equipped with 34 elevators and its facades are perforated by 3,862 windows. In total, its offices offer a surface area of 111,201 m². The Chrysler company had its headquarters here until 1950.

The style of the building is clearly art deco, but it aims primarily to celebrate the car brand whose name it bears. Thus, the exterior and interior decoration symbolizes Chrysler vehicles.

From the street, tourists can admire on the 31st floor, the representation of the chrome radiator caps of the brand; they are symbolized by two eagle wings.

On the 61st floor, they will see eight steel eagles. However, the element of the Chrysler Building that most appeals to New Yorkers are the spire, which was renovated in 1995.

It is made of six stainless steel arches and has triangular windows. It gives the building its unique and elegant style.

Inside, the noblest materials were used: white marble, granite, exotic wood, etc. And at night, the lighting gives the Chrysler Building a fairytale character.