Shimmering art deco skyscraper from 1930 whose spire once made it the world's tallest building.

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Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building, a quintessential example of Art Deco architecture in New York City, distinguishes itself through its radiant sunburst crown, clad in Nirosta stainless steel. This crown, composed of seven terraced arches, culminates in a spire that was secretly assembled inside the building and hoisted into place, briefly making it the tallest structure in the world upon its completion in 1930. Eagle gargoyles, replicas of Chrysler radiator caps, jut out from the corners of the 31st floor, a unique automotive-inspired detail. The building's lobby is equally impressive, featuring African marble walls, a soaring mural depicting transportation and engineering achievements, and intricate elevator doors inlaid with exotic woods. A little-known fact is that the building was originally intended to be topped with a glass dome, but this design was scrapped in favor of the iconic spire. The cloud club, a lavish restaurant and social club once located on the 66th-68th floors, catered to the city's elite, further cementing the building's status as a symbol of ambition and innovation.

Introduction

Walter Chrysler's vision for the Chrysler Building was deeply personal, funding its construction with his own income as a real estate investment for his children. Chrysler aimed to create a structure taller than the Eiffel Tower, reflecting his ambition and the innovative spirit of the Chrysler Corporation. The building's design incorporated elements reminiscent of Chrysler automobiles, such as hood ornaments replicated as gargoyles, and radiator cap designs, symbolizing the machine age.

Chrysler emphasized the importance of speed and efficiency during construction, lauding the fact that the steelwork was completed without any loss of life. He personally ensured the elevators would operate at 900 feet per minute, exceeding the city's speed restrictions at the time, showcasing his desire to push boundaries. The building's opening featured a Chrysler Automobile Salon, displaying the company's vehicles and highlighting Chrysler's pride in his automotive achievements. The elevators were designed to run at a rate of 900 feet per minute, despite the 700-foot-per-minute speed restriction enforced in all city elevators at the time.

The building's Art Deco details, including the stainless steel Nirosta, were integral to Van Alen's design, accentuating the upward swing of the structure. The topmost needle was built using a process similar to one Chrysler used to manufacture his cars, with precise "hand craftmanship". The building's gargoyles on the 31st floor and the eagles on the 61st floor, were created to represent flight, and to embody the machine age of the time.

Walter Chrysler's Vision

The Chrysler Building, an icon of Art Deco architecture, was commissioned by Walter Chrysler during a major New York construction boom. Completed in 1930, the 319-meter skyscraper became the world's tallest building for a brief period. Its design, conceived by William Van Alen, embodies the Art Deco style through its modernity, geometric shapes, ornamentation, and innovative use of materials.

The building's ties to automobiles are evident in its elaborate steelwork and car-centric ornamentation. Metallic gargoyles resembling 1929 Chrysler car hood ornaments adorn the 61st floor, while replicas of hubcaps and winged radiator caps embellish the lower levels. The stainless-steel-clad crown, featuring seven radiating arched elements with triangular windows, is a defining feature. A 38-meter steel spire was strategically added to surpass the height of 40 Wall Street.

The Chrysler Building showcases the extensive use of "Nirosta" stainless steel, an austenitic alloy developed in Germany by Krupp, in its exterior ornaments, window frames, crown, and needle. This marked the first use of this "18–8 stainless steel" in an American project. The lobby features black Belgian granite, yellow-hued marble flooring, red marble walls, wooden details, and murals by Edward Trumbull. High-speed elevators are decorated with geometric artwork in the Art Deco style. The Chrysler Building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1978.

Art Deco Architecture

The Chrysler Building emerged from a furious construction surge in 1920s New York, driven by intense rivalry and ambition to create the world's tallest skyscraper. William Van Alen, backed by Walter Chrysler, designed the building as a radical architectural statement, a tribute to the automobile age. This put him in direct competition with his former partner, Craig Severance, who was designing the Manhattan Company Building at 40 Wall Street.

The race escalated as each architect sought to outdo the other in height. Chrysler instructed Van Alen to surpass the planned 809 feet, even handing him a blank check to exceed the Eiffel Tower's height. To maintain the upper hand, they kept their true intentions secret. While Severance upgraded 40 Wall Street to over 900 feet, Van Alen devised a surprise: a 27-ton spire, assembled inside the Chrysler Building's crown and then dramatically hoisted into place on October 23.

This audacious move brought the Chrysler Building to 1,046 feet, making it the first structure to exceed 1,000 feet and the tallest in the world. The building held the title briefly, until the Empire State Building was completed in 1931. Despite its relatively short reign as the tallest, the Chrysler Building remains an icon, celebrated for its Art Deco design and its pivotal role in the race to the sky.

Race to the Sky

The Chrysler Building prominently features Nirosta stainless steel, a German-developed austenitic alloy, marking its first commercial use in an American project. This "18-8 stainless steel," composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, is integral to the building's Art Deco design. The building's exterior incorporates Nirosta in its window frames, ornaments, crown, and signature needle, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and ensuring longevity.

Architect William Van Alen chose Nirosta for its bright, silvery appearance, aiming to create a grand visual statement. The reflective qualities of the metal accentuate the building's rising lines and diminishing circular forms, giving the illusion that it dissolves into the sky.

Recognizing its pioneering use, the American Society for Testing Materials established a committee in 1929 to evaluate Nirosta's durability. The building's panels were inspected every five years until 1960. These inspections confirmed minimal deterioration, proving stainless steel's viability as a long-term architectural solution. The success of the Chrysler Building inspired the use of stainless steel in other famous monuments, demonstrating its corrosion resistance and durability. The enduring presence of Nirosta steel on the Chrysler Building exemplifies the fusion of beauty and resilience in modern architecture.

Chrysler Building

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