Think you can only find amazing Art Deco architecture in Miami? Not so. There is a building in New York City that is one of the finest examples of Art Deco in America. Can you guess which building it is?
Photo of The Chrysler Building, New York City © david.nikonvscanon
If your answer is The Chrysler Building, you’re right!
This iconic building is not only one of the biggest examples of Art Deco architecture in the US, in 2005 it was voted by New York’s Skyscraper Museum as New Yorkers’ favorite tower in the City.
Photo of he Chrysler Building, New York City © angela n.
Fun fact: Decorative features of the building were actually designed after the ornamental features on Chrysler cars. The eagles on the corners of the 21st floor were taken from the eagle hood ornaments on the 1929 Chrysler model car.
Photo of The Chrysler Building, New York City © vtravelled.com
The inside of the building is even more impressive than the outside. There are art deco marbled floors and walls and banks of beautifully decorated elevators.
The Chrysler Building was designed and built in a race to be the tallest building in the world. The car manufactured Chrysler was racing against the Bank of Manhattan at 40 Wall Street.
Photo of The Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, New York City © Henrique Vicente
Chrysler had the spire built in secret inside the building and, when it looked like the Bank of Manhattan was going to win, had the spire added to the Chrysler Building, surprising the worlds and winning the race. It held the record as the tallest building in the world for 11 months until the Empire State Building took the title.
Basic facts about the Chrysler Building:
Location: 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street
Built: 1928 – 1930
Floors: 77
Height: 319.5m (1048 feet)
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