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Favorite Buildings – The Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is an Art-Deco style skyscraper in the Turtle Bay neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York.  It is on the corner of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue.  The building is 1,046 feet high and is the tallest brick building with a steel framework in the world.

Constructed by Walter Chrysler, the head of Chrysler Corporation, the building was the corporate headquarters from 1930 to the mid 1950s.  Chrysler paid for it himself so that his children could inherit it.  The Chrysler Building is ranked 9th on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

It’s impossible to list all the details of this Art-Deco style building; so I will give you some of the highlights:  On the exterior of the 31st floor are gargoyles and replicas of the 1929 Chrysler radiator caps.  On the 61st floor are eagles.  The exterior ornaments, window frames, crown and the needle of the building are made of polished stainless steel.  The triangular windows in the crown are an architectural highlight.

The ground floor exterior is covered in polished black granite; and the next three floors are white marble. The walls in the lobby are red granite; and the doors on the four elevator banks each have a different design.  The metal elevator doors are covered with eight types of exotic wood.  On the ceiling is a 110 by 67 foot mural.

The Cloud Club used to occupy the 66th through 68th floor which was a private club for wealthy men. There was a lush, appointed grill and restaurant.  There were also private dining rooms for Walter Chrysler and Texaco.  From 1930 to 1945 there was a 71st floor observation deck.

Photo Credit:  Pixabay

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Written by LindaOH

10 Comments

  1. NYC is my hometown but I have never been in the Chrysler building though I have passed it dozens of times. It is an awesome building. No wonder it’s become a National Historic Landmark..

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  2. the first time I saw the Chrysler building was in 1998. We were in NYC for a bunch of customer meetings.

    I have to say, that while it was impressive, with the WTC and Empire State building, it wasn’t high on the go-see list.

    I went again in 1999, and in 2000 and it was the same, not a big deal for me.

    I went, however in 2005 and i have to say, i understood the value then.

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