NYC on the street: Chrysler Building

The view from the 69th Fl of the Chrysler Building

Friday I went to the dentist....in the Chrysler Building. I seriously didn't know I was there until I walked into the lobby and saw and explosion of Deco goodness. (Note: when you're 5'3" you miss a lot of what's going on overhead)

Here's some of the snaps I took with my iphone in the elevator and lobby. I'm definitely returning to get legit shots of the ceiling mural.

The Chrysler Building is located on the intersection of 42nd St. and Lexington Avenue. It was built in only 2 years, completed in 1930. According to Wikipedia, it was built at the rate of four floors per week! From base to tip, the Chrysler Building stands at 1050 ft and is the 4th tallest building in the city.

It was designed by architect William Van Allen who, in the race to build the highest skyscraper in NYC, secretly built at 138 ft spire inside the frame of the building in order to surpass a rival project at 40 State St. It was the first man-made structure to surpass the 1000 ft mark, however, this accolade was not rewarded--owner Walter Chrysler refused to pay his architect fee (There was speculated financial drama with the building's contractors)!!!

This building is absolutely breathtaking and the views are simply amazing. Since this is a full-functioning office building, you won't be able to get a tour like the Empire State Building, but I recommend taking a gander at the lobby.