#028 l Chrysler Building l NEW YORK l 319m l 77fl

D-Mac · October 8th, 2002, 04:25 AM

Chrysler Building
New York, USA

HEIGHT: 319m/1,046 feet
FLOORS: 77 floors
COMPLETION: 1930
ARCHITECT: William Van Alen

In the summer of 1929, a "race for the sky" broke out on the island of Manhattan. Automobile tycoon Walter Chrysler battled Wall Street powerhouse Bank of Manhattan Trust Company for the title of world's tallest building in what many historians consider to be the most intense race in skyscraper history. In the spring of 1930, just when it appeared that the bank might capture the coveted title, a small crew jacked a needle-thin spire hidden in Chrysler's building through the top of the crown to claim the title of worlds tallest at 1,046 feet.

Not only was the Chrysler Building the world's tallest structure, it was also one of the most decorated office buildings in the world. Chrysler wanted "a bold structure, declaring the glories of the modern age" -- and he got it. He decorated his skyscraper with hubcaps, mudguards, and hood ornaments, just like his cars, hoping that such a distinctive building would make his car company a household name. Today, the Chrysler Building is recognized as New York City's greatest display of Art Deco, a decorative style characterized by sharp angular or zigzag surface forms and ornaments.

Only four months after the completion of the Chrysler Building, the world's tallest championship title would be claimed by a new structure, the Empire State Building.

DrumCorpsAlum · October 9th, 2002, 03:47 AM

9/10. This building is outstanding. I love the touch that the gargoyle type creatures add, it makes this building, and makes it almost fantasy like.

October 9th, 2002, 07:17 PM

10/10 -- my favorite NYC Scraper! I love it!

Jasonhouse · October 9th, 2002, 07:17 PM

Simple THE BEST historic skyscraper. Period.

10/10 (my only 10/10 BTW)

RafflesCity · October 9th, 2002, 07:20 PM

8.5/10

I like its top best and the shaft..but the base is nothing much. That said this building is really a queen.

Jasonhouse · October 9th, 2002, 07:27 PM

You guys have to understand that the set of zoning laws that NYC adopted in 1916 basically mandated that the bases of buildings look like that, to allow for maximum light penetration to the street below. Almost all towers from this time period had a rather "bland" looking , chunky base. Following the street contours as closely as possible was the best way to recoup what developers considered the "lost space" of setbacks. The resulting form was simply the best compromise between maximum profits (always important in highrise commerical architecture) and obeying the law.

Jasonhouse · October 9th, 2002, 07:30 PM

And some more pics...

Classic B&W

Details...

Some nice pics...

SteelCity32 · October 9th, 2002, 10:07 PM

Isn't this the one in Jan's avatar? anyways I like it. Awsome cap to it. 10/10

Ersh · October 9th, 2002, 10:14 PM

My favorite Art Deco building...9/10

October 10th, 2002, 07:46 AM

Simply put: this is a classic. 10/10.

October 10th, 2002, 09:53 AM

Chrystler.... we salute you! This has got to be on atleat the top 10 favorite skyscrapers in everyone's list!

10/10!

I can only think of about 5 skyscrapers that are 10/10 worthy, and this is one of them!

Fabian · October 10th, 2002, 10:03 AM

Chrysler is one of things that make me think about New York City and is fairly well designed however I don't like it's fat base and should of been a thin tower from the ground up.

8.5/10

tayser · October 10th, 2002, 10:17 AM

I mean, really can you fault Chrysler ? I cant

10/10

only thing I dislike is that it's really boxed in (density) but eh, it's still an absolutely fantastic pinacle in among boringness (the other crud around it).

tays

Muse · October 10th, 2002, 10:21 AM

My definite all-time favourite of interntional art deco talls.

10

AG · October 10th, 2002, 10:53 AM

Very historical and unique. Nice deco art building.

9.5/10

Caledon1981 · October 10th, 2002, 08:04 PM

10/10 ABSOLUTE PERFECT!!! i love everything about it . .

RafflesCity · October 10th, 2002, 08:10 PM

This is one of the most flattering pictures of it:

Sadly a lot of other buildings have grown around it..obscuring more of it. They should have rules governing what gets built around the Chrysler.

October 10th, 2002, 08:46 PM

A classic.

9.5/10

Skyscrapercitizen · October 10th, 2002, 11:36 PM

As one of the greatest skyscraperfans in the world I can't do anything else then give this Masterpiece of skyscraper Architecture a 10!

MSPtoMKE · October 11th, 2002, 03:20 AM

9.5/10
One of the best tops of any skyscraper. I love it!

Who could gave it a 5???

View Poll Results: Chrysler Building, New York City
10	1,189	57.33%
9.5	267	12.87%
9	191	9.21%
8.5	60	2.89%
8	60	2.89%
7.5	25	1.21%
7	30	1.45%
6.5	12	0.58%
6	17	0.82%
5.5	7	0.34%
5	12	0.58%
4.5	17	0.82%
4	38	1.83%
3.5	89	4.29%
3 or less	60	2.89%
Voters: 2074. You may not vote on this poll

October 8th, 2002, 04:25 AM	#1
D-Mac Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 144 Likes (Received): 0	#028 l Chrysler Building l NEW YORK l 319m l 77fl Chrysler Building New York, USA HEIGHT: 319m/1,046 feet FLOORS: 77 floors COMPLETION: 1930 ARCHITECT: William Van Alen In the summer of 1929, a "race for the sky" broke out on the island of Manhattan. Automobile tycoon Walter Chrysler battled Wall Street powerhouse Bank of Manhattan Trust Company for the title of world's tallest building in what many historians consider to be the most intense race in skyscraper history. In the spring of 1930, just when it appeared that the bank might capture the coveted title, a small crew jacked a needle-thin spire hidden in Chrysler's building through the top of the crown to claim the title of worlds tallest at 1,046 feet. Not only was the Chrysler Building the world's tallest structure, it was also one of the most decorated office buildings in the world. Chrysler wanted "a bold structure, declaring the glories of the modern age" -- and he got it. He decorated his skyscraper with hubcaps, mudguards, and hood ornaments, just like his cars, hoping that such a distinctive building would make his car company a household name. Today, the Chrysler Building is recognized as New York City's greatest display of Art Deco, a decorative style characterized by sharp angular or zigzag surface forms and ornaments. Only four months after the completion of the Chrysler Building, the world's tallest championship title would be claimed by a new structure, the Empire State Building. Last edited by ZZ-II; June 19th, 2008 at 10:23 PM.

October 9th, 2002, 03:47 AM	#2
DrumCorpsAlum Phoenix, AZ/Camden, SC Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ/Camden, SC Posts: 320 Likes (Received): 0	9/10. This building is outstanding. I love the touch that the gargoyle type creatures add, it makes this building, and makes it almost fantasy like. __________________ http://www.galleychronicles.com http://www.facebook.com/DrumCorpsAlum

October 9th, 2002, 10:07 PM	#8
SteelCity32 Don't be that guy! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,098 Likes (Received): 0	Isn't this the one in Jan's avatar? anyways I like it. Awsome cap to it. 10/10 __________________ I often dream of huge numb buildings, jet black sinister architecture. Being installed when nobody sees. Their appearence so sudden that few would take notice.

October 9th, 2002, 10:14 PM	#9
Ersh Skyscrapercity Hobbit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 78 Likes (Received): 0	My favorite Art Deco building...9/10 __________________ 9/11 - We will remember

October 9th, 2002, 07:17 PM	#3
BrianInIA Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	10/10 -- my favorite NYC Scraper! I love it!

October 9th, 2002, 07:17 PM	#4
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	Simple THE BEST historic skyscraper. Period. 10/10 (my only 10/10 BTW)

October 9th, 2002, 07:20 PM	#5
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 2	8.5/10 I like its top best and the shaft..but the base is nothing much. That said this building is really a queen.

October 9th, 2002, 07:27 PM	#6
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	You guys have to understand that the set of zoning laws that NYC adopted in 1916 basically mandated that the bases of buildings look like that, to allow for maximum light penetration to the street below. Almost all towers from this time period had a rather "bland" looking , chunky base. Following the street contours as closely as possible was the best way to recoup what developers considered the "lost space" of setbacks. The resulting form was simply the best compromise between maximum profits (always important in highrise commerical architecture) and obeying the law.

October 9th, 2002, 07:30 PM	#7
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	And some more pics... Classic B&W Details... Some nice pics...

October 10th, 2002, 07:46 AM	#10
Procurator Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	Simply put: this is a classic. 10/10.

October 10th, 2002, 09:53 AM	#11
X-seed 4000 Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	Chrystler.... we salute you! This has got to be on atleat the top 10 favorite skyscrapers in everyone's list! 10/10! I can only think of about 5 skyscrapers that are 10/10 worthy, and this is one of them!

October 10th, 2002, 10:03 AM	#12
Fabian Sydney: World's best city Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 29,602 Likes (Received): 106	Chrysler is one of things that make me think about New York City and is fairly well designed however I don't like it's fat base and should of been a thin tower from the ground up. 8.5/10

October 10th, 2002, 10:17 AM	#13
tayser Champagne Socialist Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 10,531 Likes (Received): 32	I mean, really can you fault Chrysler ? I cant 10/10 only thing I dislike is that it's really boxed in (density) but eh, it's still an absolutely fantastic pinacle in among boringness (the other crud around it). tays __________________ "America gave the world George Bush, France gave the world the ménage à trois... Game Over." UrbanMelbourne.info

October 10th, 2002, 10:21 AM	#14
Muse Supernature Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 8,630 Likes (Received): 7	My definite all-time favourite of interntional art deco talls. 10 Last edited by Muse; October 14th, 2002 at 04:38 AM.

October 10th, 2002, 10:53 AM	#15
AG Engineer in training Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gladstone (ex. Adelaide) Posts: 2,022 Likes (Received): 0	Very historical and unique. Nice deco art building. 9.5/10

October 10th, 2002, 08:04 PM	#16
Caledon1981 --------- Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: OKC Posts: 217 Likes (Received): 0	10/10 ABSOLUTE PERFECT!!! i love everything about it . . __________________ --------

October 10th, 2002, 08:10 PM	#17
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 2	This is one of the most flattering pictures of it: Sadly a lot of other buildings have grown around it..obscuring more of it. They should have rules governing what gets built around the Chrysler.

October 10th, 2002, 08:46 PM	#18
Sunflower Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	A classic. 9.5/10

October 10th, 2002, 11:36 PM	#19
Skyscrapercitizen Like it Vertical Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Rotterdam, NYC Posts: 25,345	As one of the greatest skyscraperfans in the world I can't do anything else then give this Masterpiece of skyscraper Architecture a 10! __________________ Volg RTM XL op Facebook en Twitter en blijf op de hoogte van het laatste XL nieuws!

October 11th, 2002, 03:20 AM	#20
MSPtoMKE Glory to the Hypnotoad Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 312 Likes (Received): 0	9.5/10 One of the best tops of any skyscraper. I love it! Who could gave it a 5???

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