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new york chrysler building
Slightly smaller in statue than the Empire State but no less inspiring the Chrysler building is another world class example of Art Deco design and alongside the Empire State building is easily identifiable across the Manhattan skyline. Built in 1930 for the Chrysler car company it was in direct competition with the Empire State to hold the tallest skyscraper title. chrysler building overview The Chrysler building was designed by New Yorker William Van Alen as part of a commissioned piece by William H Reynolds who sold the design onto Walter Chrysler to be the company's head quarters in midtown Manhattan. At the time there was stiff competition for the title of world's tallest skyscraper and at the time the Chrysler was in direct competition with 40 Wall Street. In 1930 the New York Chrysler building snatched this title with the spire that now illuminates the Manhattan skyline at night which was being secretly constructed inside the building. The additional 185 feet of the spire ensured Chrysler New York was the tallest building. However, this title was short-lived. The 319 meters (1048 feet) of the building was dwarfed swiftly afterwards by the nearby Empire State building. Van Alen's misfortune continued with Chrysler's refusal to pay the fee and his career suffered greatly. Despite his lack of success afterwards van Alen's Chrysler remains one of the worlds greatest examples of Art-Deco style skyscrapers, is synomonous with the New York skyline and it's stainless steel shining crown remains one of city's best and most loved landmarks. The Chrysler building appears in most New York city guides as one of the many things to do in New York, despite being a working business centre rather than a designated tourist attraction. The building exterior is decorated with many ornaments from the 1929 Chrysler car fleets including hubcaps as well as the buildings gargoyles which were modeled on hood ornaments from 1929 Chrysler Plymouth. The interior of the building also was beautifully decorated. On first opening there was a highly impressive public gallery near the top floor of this 77 floor building but it then became occupied by the highly exclusive Cloud Club until their demise. Currently these rooms have been restored to their finer glory but are not opened to the public instead they are leased to private tenants. The rest of the building is leased to various companies as prime office space however the highly impressive lobby is normally open for tourists. Marbled walls and floors are inticrately decorated with art deco images of the period and the ceiling has a wonderful scaled version of the Chrysler building alongside images of transport innovations of the 1930's including trains, planes and of course automobiles. These warm marble images are offset beautifully by the wonderfully moulded silver lobby entrance doors, wall lights and lobby desk. All these combined make the Chrysler building a fascinating piece of art deco architecture. chrysler new york further information 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street New York, NY 10017.
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