The Best Hotels Closest to Chrysler Building - 2021

[Bookman]

This post is a guide to visiting the Chrysler Building. You’ll learn a little history, where it’s located and what to do there. While this is one of the most iconic buildings in NYC, other than the lobby, it’s not open to the public. However, I’ve got an inside tip on how you can actually go up the building and get terrific views for free.

What once stood as the tallest building in the world, it was surpassed by the Empire State Building only 11 months later. Now it’s currently the 8th tallest building in NYC.

The building was opened by Walter Chrysler, the head of the Chrysler Corporation and served as their headquarters from the 1930’s to mid-50’s. It was built as part of an ongoing building boom that resulted in NYC having the world’s tallest building from the early 1900’s to the 70’s.

[jonsmaradona]

I’ve been walking through this building on my commutes for at least 10 years. I have become friends with the security guards and when I was little we called the entrance to the subway “the secret passage.” This lauded secret passage is the quickest way to the train when traveling from the east side. Most people do not know about the entrance. The directory ultimately helps intending travelers to have a better understanding of the location as it also serves as an educator on popular tourist attractions worldwide.

Here is a cool video of how to effectively use the travel directory: https://youtu.be/pfejm8TzNCw

[Bookman]

While for most people, taking pictures of its beautiful art deco design from the outside is enough for most. However, some people may not realize that you can actually enter the lobby.

When you first enter, you’ll notice the dim lighting that is intended to give it a subdued quality, creating an intimate atmosphere and ability to highlight the place. There are 4 elevator banks, each with a different look and digital clocks with futuristic designs.

The biggest attraction though is the giant, beautiful mural painted on the ceiling. It’s named Transport and Human Endeavor, an homage to the Golden Age of Aviation and the Machine Age. There is also a wall panel with fifty different figures modeled after the workers who participated in the building’s construction, such as masons, carpenters, plasterers, and builders.

[BrightHulk]

At the time construction plans began in 1928, the Woolworth Building was listed as the world’s tallest and Walter Chrysler wanted to make sure his building surpassed it.

However, that same year, a new office building on 40 Wall Street downtown had plans to start construction and they too wanted to not only surpass the Woolworth Building, but the Chrysler Building as well, and the “Race into the Sky” began.

After both buildings were completed, the 40 Wall Street Tower wound up surpassing the Chrysler Building in height by a few feet. Knowing this would happen, William Van Alen, secretly hid a 125 foot spire inside a hidden elevator shaft.

[Bookman]

The Chrysler Building is well known for its distinctive Art Deco architecture with its crown and spire at the top. William Van Alen, the architect, wanted to not only maintain the visual signature of art deco, but also create striking visuals that would symbolize the Chrysler Corporation as well.

Each corner on the exterior of the 31st floor, has steel embellishments that are reminiscent of gargoyles on gothic cathedrals. These embellishments resemble hood ornaments installed on Chrysler vehicles at that time.