Chrysler Building: New York’s most beautiful skyscraper
The Chrysler Building is by far the most beautiful building in New York. With its gleaming steel spire, iconic Art Deco design, and stunning gargoyles, it's a must-see landmark.
What You Need to Know About the Chrysler Building
- The Chrysler Building is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in New York. Commissioned by the Chrysler automobile company, it opened in 1930 in Midtown, in the heart of Manhattan. At its inauguration, it was the world’s tallest building. That record didn’t last long—the Empire State Building surpassed it just one year later.
- The Chrysler Building has 77 floors and stands exactly 319 m (1,047 ft) tall, making it slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. Yet it looks modest compared to Midtown’s giant towers, especially One Vanderbilt at 427 m (1,401 ft).
- Today the building no longer belongs to Chrysler, but it kept the name. Tishman Speyer bought it in 1997 for roughly $250 million. In 2008, the New York firm sold 90% of its stake to Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company for $800 million—a handsome profit.
- The building changed hands again in March 2019, becoming the property of New York real estate fund RFR Holdings for $150 million. RFR Holdings also owns the Seagram Building and Lever House in New York. Why such a low price? Interest in older buildings had fallen as new towers rose near the World Trade Center and in Hudson Yards.
- There’s another reason: a clause in the ownership contract. The building’s owner must pay rent to Cooper Union University, which retains ownership of the land. The rent was nearly $8 million last year and jumped to about $33 million per year through 2027. Tishman Speyer and the Abu Dhabi fund couldn’t wait to get out of the deal.
What to See at the Chrysler Building
- The Chrysler Building’s design draws inspiration from automobiles. Look for the striking radiator cap replicas on the 31st floor. On the 61st floor, the unusual gargoyles are actually eagles that once adorned the hoods of Chrysler cars from that era.
- The stainless steel spire is the building’s other defining feature. Watch it gleam and turn brilliant shades of red at sunset. The spire is pierced with small triangular windows.
- At night, the Chrysler Building lights up in a subtle yet striking way. White neon adorns the spire, creating an almost ghostly effect. You absolutely must see the building after dark.
- The interior showcases classic Art Deco architecture. Unfortunately, the building isn’t open for tours, but you can get a glimpse by following my tips on how to see inside the Chrysler Building. You can enter the lobby and admire the magnificent entrance hall. Don’t miss the elevators either—they’re beautifully decorated.
Reader Reviews
- Valentin Lebrun: “I love the eagle heads on this building.”
- Hafsa Kara-mostefa Sadki: “The entrance hall is magnificent… it hints at the beauty of the rest of the building, which sadly you can’t visit.”
The Chrysler Building in Photos
