can you visit chrysler building

The Easiest Way to Visit New York City's Chrysler Building

Strict Visit Policies for This Iconic NYC Landmark

TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins

The Chrysler Building in New York City has been listed among the top 10 on a list of America's favorite architecture by the American Institute of Architects. The 77-story Chrysler Building is an iconic New York City image, easily recognizable in New York City's sprawling skyline because of its shiny peak. If you want to see this art deco masterpiece up close, there are some strict policies regarding visiting the building.

Viewing the Chrysler Building

Visitors can see the building from the outside, and for free, you can visit the lobby to examine the art deco details and an ornate ceiling mural by Edward Trumbull. The Chrysler Building lobby is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays). You do not need tickets to enter the lobby.

The rest of the building is leased to businesses and not accessible to visitors. There are no tours through the building. There is absolutely no access beyond the lobby for tourists.  

Building History

The building was constructed by Walter Chrysler, the head of the Chrysler Corporation, and served as the automobile giant's headquarters from when it opened in 1930 until the 1950s. It took two years to build. Architect William Van Alen added decorative features inspired by Chrysler's automobile designs, including stainless-steel eagle head hood ornaments, Chrysler radiator caps, racing cars on the 31st floor, and even the notable shiny vertex.

Former Observation Deck

From when the building opened until 1945 there was a 3,900 square-foot observation deck on the 71st floor called "Celestial" that offered views up to 100 miles away on a clear day. For 50 cents per person, visitors could walk around the entire circumference through a corridor with vaulted ceilings painted with celestial motifs and small hanging glass planets. The center of the observatory contained the toolbox that Walter P. Chrysler used at the beginning of his career as a mechanic.

Eleven months after the opening of the Chrysler Building, the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building eclipsed it. After the opening of the Empire State Building, the number of Chrysler Building visitors waned.

Walter Chrysler used to have an apartment and office on the top floor. Famous Life magazine photographer, Margaret Bourke-White, well-known for her images of skyscrapers in the 1920s and 30s also had another apartment on the top floor. The magazine leased it in their name, because, despite Bourke-White's fame and fortune, the leasing company did not rent to women.

After the observatory closed, it was used to house radio and television broadcasting equipment. In 1986, the old observatory was renovated by architects Harvey/Morse and Cowperwood Interests and became an office for eight people.

Private Social Club

The Cloud Club , a private dining club, was once housed inside the 66th to the 68th floors. The Cloud Club included a group of mile-high power lunch spots in New York City atop the city’s most distinctive skyscrapers. The private dining club was initially designed for Texaco, which occupied 14 floors of the Chrysler Building and used the space a restaurant for executives. It had amenities like a barber shop and locker rooms that were reportedly used to hide alcohol during Prohibition. The club closed in the late 1970s. The space was gutted and renovated for office tenants.

Current Owners

The building was purchased by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council for $800 million in 2008 from Tishman Speyer real estate investment company for 90 percent majority ownership. Tishman Speyer retains 10 percent. Cooper Union, owns the land lease, which the school has turned into an endowment for the college.

The 10 Tallest Buildings in New York City

Chicago's Most Impressive Architecture

New York City's 11 Best Free Landmarks and Attractions

48 Hours in Lower Manhattan: The Perfect Itinerary

The Most Architecturally Significant Building in Every State

The 17 Best Rooftop Bars in New York City

13 Top New York City Attractions

One Day in Chicago: The Perfect Itinerary

The Top 20 Things to Do in Chicago

20 Fun Places to Take the Kids in NYC

The Most Expensive Hotel Room in America

The Best Hotels for Watching the Thanksgiving Parade in NYC

Top 15 Things to Do in Buffalo, New York

The 10 Best Things to Do in Chicago’s Millennium Park

9 Notable Places to Watch Fireworks in Chicago

The 17 Best Things to Do in Mexico City

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

How to Visit the Chrysler Building

This post is a visitor's guide to the Chrysler Building, NYC's signature piece of Art Deco architecture. We cover what there is to see, its history, and how to get there. 

Though you can step inside the gorgeous lobby, there are no tours of the building. In 2020, discussions for an observation deck began, but those plans remain up in the air.

As local tour guides, we take tens of thousands of visitors each year through the streets of NYC, including Midtown Manhattan and Grand Central. 

These tours stop at the Chrysler building so our guides are very knowledgeable about this stunning skyscraper.

We’ve based this post on their knowledge and we also incorporated some tips from members of our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group to craft this post.

Our group has more than 240,000 members including locals, regular visitors to NYC, and those just getting to know the city.

There's no need to join to read the recommendations. So take a look at our group for more ideas or ask a question yourself!

• Where is the Chrysler Building?
• Is There An Observation Deck?
• Tour the Lobby
• Exterior Design and Symbolism
• Things to Do in NYC
• Other Observation Decks

HOW TO GET TO THE CHRYSLER BUILDING

The Chrysler Building is located at 405 Lexington Avenue between 42nd Street and 43rd Street in Midtown Manhattan adjacent to Grand Central Terminal .

It is served best by the 4, 5, 6, (yellow circle on the map) and 7 (red circle on the map) trains at the terminal's subway station.  

You can also access the Chrysler Building via Times Square on the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R , and S - shuttle trains (green circle on the map).  

We recommend that you use this Google map to  navigate your way to the Chrysler Building . 

Seeing this gem of a building is one of our top things to do in Midtown Manhattan .

New to the subway? Be sure to read our posts on navigating the subway system and choosing which MetroCard to purchase .  

Also, just about every tourist bus makes a stop at or around the corner of the Chrysler Building.

TIP: We cover the outside of the Chrysler Building on our Midtown Manhattan , Manhattan Night , and Grand Central Terminal Tours .

We also have a GPS-enabled audio tour of Midtown that includes the Chrysler Building.

DOES THE CHRYSLER BUILDING HAVE AN OBSERVATION DECK?

There were observation decks in the past. When the building opened in 1930 there was an observation deck called Celestial on the 71st floor. You can see pictures here .

Celestial closed to the public in 1945 and is currently occupied by a private firm.

Until the late 1970s, there was The Cloud Club, a private club occupying the 66th through 68th floors.

In 2020, the Chrysler Building was given the go-ahead to open a public observation deck, though no exact date has been set. You can read about the plans here.

The developers of the new observation deck plan to redo the building’s 61st and 62nd floors, just above the famous eagle gargoyles.

While those plans have not been acted upon, there are five observation decks to visit including SUMMIT One Vandebilt , from where you can get amazing views of the Chrysler Building.

The other four are the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Top of the Rock, and Edge at Hudson Yards.

Check out our post  comparing all these observation decks .

Entries to these observation decks are included for free from many of the New York tourist passes . These passes are explained in this video.

CHRYSLER BUILDING TOURS

Though there are no official tours run by the building, the spectacular Art Deco lobby should not be missed.

It's free to enter the Chrysler Building and no tickets are required.

You may enter the lobby anytime the building is open, from 8:00 am to 6 pm (18:00) on weekdays.

You can see the beautiful mural on the ceiling, the clock, and the beautiful elevators, each with its own custom-designed doors.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by kate david (@surroundingspaces)

You can also see the lobby on our pay-what-you-wish Midtown Manhattan Tour as well as our anytime Midtown Manhattan audio tour app .

While you are in Midtown Manhattan, take the time to see some of these nearby attractions:

• Grand Central Terminal
• Bryant Park
• Empire State Building
• Times Square
• Rockefeller Center
• Waldorf Astoria
• United Nations Building

DESIGN, DECORATION, AND SYMBOLISM

The Chrysler Building is one of the most unique skyscrapers to have ever been built.

The architect who designed this beautiful skyscraper was architect William Van Alen in conjunction with contractor William H. Reynolds.s.

His design was sold to Walter P. Chrysler, who intended the completed building to be the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation.

With this in mind, Van Alen's design was altered slightly to celebrate the aesthetic of Chrysler automobiles and the machine age.

When the building opened to the public in 1931, the lobby housed a Chrysler dealership.

If you look up at the 31st floor, you will notice some interesting artistic elements.

On all four corners of this floor are silver-winged ornaments. These were designed as the cap of the God Mercury, the god of speed, an inspiration for Walter Chrysler.

These caps were used as radiator caps on Chrysler automobiles.

The motifs surrounding the winged caps are images of the 1929 Chrysler Speedster, including chrome hubcaps.

Replicas of eagle hood ornaments (see banner image above) from a 1920s Chrysler Plymouth can be found jutting off of the building like gargoyles, two at each corner.

The signature element though is the beautiful crown of the building, which features seven terraced arches radiating upwards, creating a shiny sunburst pattern, very typical of the Art Deco Movement.

The crown culminates with a 197 ft tall (60 meters) steel spire. The crown is clad in stainless steel (nickel) developed by the German Krupp company.

A Look Inside the Chrysler Building Spire

THE GREAT SKYSCRAPER RACE

The year 1928 was an exciting time for architecture in New York City. Buildings were growing taller and taller and it was a race upward to the sky with each new construction.

Though William Van Alen designed the building, Walter Chrysler was the driving force behind the design alterations that would make it the tallest building in the world.

Van Alen’s original design was 807 feet. When Chrysler entered the picture, it was adjusted to 925 feet, and then 1046 feet (measured from the pedestrian entrance to the top of the antenna).

At the time that ground was broken for the Chrysler Building, it had one chief rival in the race to become the tallest building in the world: 40 Wall Street (the Trump Building ).

40 Wall Street was designed by H. Craig Severance, Van Alen's former partner. When it was completed in May of 1930, the building proclaimed its victory as the world's tallest building in the world.

But Severance was unaware of the secret weapon that Van Alen was hiding in the crown of the Chrysler Building: the 125-foot stainless-steel spire that was going to grace the top of the building.

Four days after 40 Wall Street’s victory, the Chrysler Building's secret spire was raised.

It was in four pieces. The first was raised onto the roof and lowered into the building. The remaining sections were added in just 90 minutes.

That hour and a half was all it took for the Chrysler Building to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, beating both 40 Wall Street and the Eiffel Tower.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @_terra.aesthetic_

Much debate ensued over whether or not the spire should count in the height since 40 Wall Street had more useable floors.

The debates were halted eleven months later when a new contender entered the scene.

The Empire State Building was 1250 feet, far taller than the Chrysler Building, and 40 Wall Street.

The world had a new champion.

And although the Chrysler Building is not the tallest structure in NYC, it's considered one of the most beautiful.

William Van Alen After The Chrysler Building

Van Alen was much acclaimed after the building was finished. His life quickly took a downward turn, however.

He had failed to enter into an official contract with Chrysler when they began working together.

After the building was completed, Van Alen requested a fee. He wanted 6% of the building’s $14 million construction budget ($840,000).

This was the standard fee at the time. Chrysler refused payment, and Van Alen ended up suing him to be paid. He won the suit, but his reputation was severely compromised.

That coupled with the onset of the Great Depression effectively ruined his career as an architect.

CHRYSLER BUILDING STATS AND FUN FACTS

• Year Started: 1928
• Year Completed: 1930
• Height (Roof): 925 ft (282 m)
• Height (Antenna Spire): The building is 1,046 ft tall (319 m)
• Floor Count: 77 floors
• Number of windows: 3,862

1. Though the interior skeleton of the building is steel, the exterior is brick. The Chrysler Building is still the tallest brick building in the world.

2. The Chrysler Building was the first man-made structure to be taller than 1000 feet.

3. More than 391,800 rivets were used in the construction of the building.

4. The lobby of the Chrysler Building contains the world’s first digital clock.

5. The ceiling of the lobby is painted with a mural by Edward Trumbull entitled “Transport and Human Endeavor.”

The mural depicts scenes from Chrysler’s assembly line, Charles Lindbergh flying The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic, and the Chrysler Building itself.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by adam morley (@morleyx42)

6. Though the building was built very quickly, with an average of 4 floors per week built, no one was killed during the construction.

7. Television station WCBS transmitted from the top of the Chrysler Building in the 1940s and ’50s. They later moved to the Empire State Building

8. New York’s Skyscraper Museum polled 100 architects, engineers, and historians in 2005, asking them to choose their favorite buildings in New York.

The Chrysler Building came in first. 90% of those polled placed it on their top-ten list.

9. There are 32 elevators in the Chrysler Building- four banks of eight elevators. They are beautifully inlaid with intricate designs.

10. The Chrysler family sold the building in 1953. Though the building still bears their name, they do not own it.

11. The Cooper Union, a private university in New York, owns the land that the building sits on, and their name is on the deed for the building itself. There is a 150-year lease for the land and building currently in place.

12. There is a restaurant at the Chrysler Building called the Capital Grille.

13. There was a Chrysler showroom in the lobby of the building.

In Movies and TV

14. The crown of the building is seen in the opening credits of Sex and the City. It is while Cynthia Nixon’s name is on screen.

Are you a SATC fan? Check out our post about how to find Carrie's stoop .

15. The building is referenced in the Broadway musical “Annie,” when Miss Hannigan tells the orphans to clean the floors “until they shine like the top of the Chrysler Building.”

The musical is set during the Great Depression, and the Chrysler Building would have been a relatively recent addition to New York.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

We hope this post has provided you with a helpful overview of the Chrysler Building, its history and what makes it so special.

While we’ve shared many stories and facts, hearing from members of our popular New York Travel Tips Facebook group will add to your knowledge of seeing this building inside and out.

The two main questions that come up about the Chrysler Building are about tours and as well as where to get the best view of it.

Here are some group members' insights as well as their incredible photos!

Maria states that yes, the lobby is indeed open to the public, but discovered that videos are not permitted. As you can see from her photograph, cameras are!

Judging from Lisa’s photographs of the unique elevator doors, she was able to do more than stick her head in the door!

Annette found that building security was welcoming, but did ask her to make sure that she made way for people passing through the lobby from the elevators. In other words, be discreet.

It’s such a stunning building, that capturing a picture of it close up is something many visitors to New York City (and locals) want to do.

So where to go to get that amazing picture?

While you can see the Chrysler Building from all the skyscraper observation decks , Summit One Vanderbilt wins hands down.

Taking a picture in black and white is a fantastic way to recreate the atmosphere of the era when the building was built.

At night, it is magical.

If you have any more questions about other skyscrapers in NYC, or any other topic, check out our New York Travel Tips Facebook group ! Post a question yourself if you’d like!

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

Courtney Shapiro

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Chrysler Building Observation Deck in NYC

The viewing deck is making a comeback.

Add this and other places to your personal travel plan. We will then help you with further suitable suggestions: free of charge and straightaway!

It’s been discussed for a long time, and now it has finally become reality: the Chrysler Building will be getting an observation deck! It’s set to be built on the 61st floor, and it will transform the current northern and southern terraces into an observation deck with a view that overlooks Midtown, the East River and One Vanderbilt Summit.

You'll also love this:

• Observation Decks in New York
• Edge Observation Deck
• One World Observatory

The Chrysler Building’s new deck will be the 9th observation deck in New York , offering great views of Midtown Manhattan alongside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , Top of the Rock , the Empire State Building and Edge Hudson Yards .

I’ll share everything you need to know about the Chrysler Building observation deck here in my article!

Table of Contents

First impressions of the Chrysler Building observation deck

As you can see from the initial designs, the deck will have glass walls like the Top of the Rock , so it’ll provide a great view of the streets of Midtown Manhattan.

Did you know that the Chrysler Building used to have a speakeasy bar called The Cloud Club on floors 66 to 68?

The Cloud Club opened during the Prohibition era, in 1930, and didn’t close until 1979. Now it’ll serve as inspiration for the design of the platform.

How high is the Chrysler Building observation deck?

Since the plans call for it to be located on the 61st floor, right at the level of the Art Deco eagles, it will be just over 200 feet up.

In addition to this, the 62nd floor will be rebuilt to create an enclosed area, similar to the ones at the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building , One Vanderbilt Summit and Edge Hudson Yards .

When will the Chrysler Building observation deck open?

As of today, there is no specific timeline. Construction was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2020.

Chrysler Building Observation Deck Tickets

Currently, there are no tickets available for purchase for the Observation Deck. I’ll keep you posted in my newsletter, so as soon as there are updates, you’ll be the first to know. So sign up right here : there are already more than 30,000 New York enthusiasts subscribed!

From my experience, the ticket price will be between $32 and $40 per adult.

The Chrysler Building in NYC

At 319 meters tall, the Chrysler building is currently the 11th tallest building in New York. It is located in Midtown Manhattan , at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, and it’s just one block from Grand Central Station and three blocks from Bryant Park. When the Chrysler Building opened in 1930, it was the tallest building in the world, before that record was taken by the Empire State Building a year later.

The Chrysler Building is a truly iconic New York City building, and it is impossible to imagine the skyline without it. With its beautiful Art Deco architecture, the famous eagles on the corners of the 61st floor, and its unique spire that lights up at night, it always stands out.

Frequently asked questions about the Chrysler Building Observation Deck

Is there an observation deck in the chrysler building.

Not yet. However, there have been plans to add an observation deck to this iconic building for some time, and construction has now been approved.

Can visitors currently tour the Chrysler Building?

No, the Chrysler Building is not open to visitors. It is an office building that only authorized people are allowed to enter. So we’ll have to be patient until the observation deck opening!

How much will the tickets for the Chrysler Building observation deck cost?

There is no information about this at the moment, but based on experience, the tickets will cost likely between $32 and $40. This corresponds to the ticket prices of the other observation platforms in New York .

Is it worth visiting the Chrysler Building observation deck?

This is difficult to answer: on the one hand, it is definitely very exciting to be able to experience this historic building and beautiful architecture in more detail. On the other hand, right next to the Chrysler Building is the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt observation deck. This deck is much higher and therefore offers a view over more of New York.

The 9 Best Observation Decks in New York City

The Edge Hudson Yards Observation Deck

One World Observatory – The Complete Guide

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

Coney Island

Brooklyn's beachside attraction holds the Cyclone roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel, the New York Aquarium, the original Nathan’s Famous and a boardwalk.

Queens Night Market

This expansive open-air night market celebrates the rich cultural diversity of NYC.

Historic Richmond Town

Watch history come alive at this living history village.

Yankee Stadium

Home to baseball's 27-time champs, the new Yankee Stadium was built in 2009 across the street from its former location.

American Museum of Natural History

This Upper West Side museum explores human cultures, the natural world and the universe beyond.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of New York for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy New York without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Chrysler Building | Manhattan, NY

• Midtown East
• price 0 of 4
• Recommended

Time Out says

Everything you need to know about visiting the Chrysler Building (405 Lexington Ave, New York, 10174).

With its steel sunburst crown, the Chrysler Building is the pinnacle of the art deco era and one of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers. Designed by William Van Alen for Chrysler founder Walter F. Chrysler, the 925-foot, 77-story tower boasts car-themed flourishes and was the first man-made structure with a height of more than 1,000 feet. Despite its historic significance, no public tours are offered of the tower. But during business hours, visitors can explore the elegant lobby with Moroccan marble walls and embellished Sienna marble floors. Check out the world’s first digital clock by the reception area and look up at Transport and Human Endeavor , artist Edward Trumbull’s ceiling mural depicting innovative buildings, airplanes and Chrysler’s automotive line. And the building is most stunning from the outside anyway, especially after the sun sets and thousands of lights in the triangular windows set the crown aglow.

Get a crown in the crown Since the public observation deck closed in 1945, there has been no official way for tourists to admire the view from the triangular windows of the Chrysler Building’s iconic crown…but there is a dental office located on the 69th floor. So the best way to enjoy a breathtaking view of the NYC skyline is by getting a root canal.

Spot the car-goyles To pay homage to the building’s namesake car company, no ordinary gargoyles would do. Instead, two giant steel eagles—replicas of hood ornaments from the 1920s Chrysler Plymouths—jut off the corners of the 61st floor. And on the 31st floor, each corner is adorned with a winged cap like the one worn by Mercury, the Roman god of speed, who was an inspiration for Walter Chrysler. But contrary to popular myth, the crown is not made from repurposed hubcaps.

Admire the secret spire In the famed race to create the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Chrysler Building originally appeared to have fallen short by a mere two feet when the 927-foot 40 Wall Street building, designed by Van Alen’s former partner H. Craig Severance, was completed in May 1930. Not to be outdone, Van Alen had secretly constructed a 125-foot stainless steel spire inside the Chrysler building’s frame, and four days after 40 Wall Street opened, it was completed in just 90 minutes, giving Chrysler the edge in the tallest tower title. But both buildings were bested by the 1250-foot Empire State Building, which opened 11 months later.

Our New York editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NYC. at your fingertips. The Chrysler Building was most recently updated with new tips on June 30, 2017.

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Local Marketing Solutions
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Getty Images

Chrysler Building

Top choice in Midtown

Designed by William Van Alen and completed in 1930, the 77-floor Chrysler Building is the pinup for New York's purest art deco architecture, guarded by stylized eagles of chromium nickel and topped by a beautiful seven-tiered spire reminiscent of the rising sun . The building was constructed as the headquarters for Walter P Chrysler and his automobile empire; unable to compete on the production line with bigger rivals Ford and General Motors, Chrysler trumped them on the skyline, and with one of Gotham's most beautiful lobbies.

Indeed, while the Chrysler Building might not offer a restaurant or observation deck, its lobby makes for a lavish consolation prize. Here, dark African wood and marble contrast against the brash steel of industrial America. The lobby's elaborately veneered elevators are especially beautiful, their Egyptian lotus motifs made of inlaid Japanese ash, Oriental walnut and Cuban plum-pudding wood. Above is painter Edward Trumbull's ceiling mural Transport and Human Endeavor . Purportedly the world’s largest mural at 97ft by 100ft, its depiction of buildings, airplanes and industrious workers on Chrysler assembly lines shows the golden promise of industry and modernity.

Topping out at 1046ft with its spire, the Chrysler Building held the title of the world's tallest building for 11 months until the nearby Empire State Building was built. More than 80 years on, Chrysler's ambitious $15 million statement remains one of New York's most poignant symbols. For a great view of the Chrysler Building, head to the corner of Third Ave and 44th St, from where you can appreciate the building's slimline profile, gargoyles and spire in one hit. If you have binoculars, bring them for a close-up view of the facade's detailing, which includes basket-weave motifs and a band of abstract automobiles. Alternatively, head to the top of the Empire State Building, where free telescopes from the observation deck will get you up close and personal with that gleaming steel spire.

405 Lexington Ave. at E 42nd St

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Metropolitan Museum of Art

What started with a handful of paintings brought over from Europe or donated by a coterie of philanthropically minded robber barons in the 19th century…

Central Park

One of the world’s most renowned green spaces, Central Park comprises 843 acres of rolling meadows, boulder-studded outcroppings, elm-lined walkways,…

Ellis Island

Located in New York Harbor, Ellis Island is the US's most famous and historically important gateway and is home to one of the country’s most moving…

Empire State Building

The Chrysler Building may be prettier, and One World Trade Center taller, but the queen bee of the New York skyline remains the Empire State Building. NYC…

One World Observatory

Spanning three levels at the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Observatory offers dazzling panoramic views over Manhattan's…

Guggenheim Museum

A New York icon, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, more commonly known as the Guggenheim, is an internationally-renowned art museum and one of the most…

Statue of Liberty

It’s been over a century since Lady Liberty made her debut appearance on the New York skyline, but this iconic statue is still one of the city’s most…

National September 11 Memorial Museum

When the twin towers of the World Trade Center toppled during the awful events of 11 September 2001, it led to years of soul-searching about what would be…

Nearby Midtown attractions

1 . Chanin Building

Beloved art deco took hold in the 1930s as architects turned away from history, creating unique buildings, configured with setbacks and decorated with…

2 . Grand Central Terminal

Completed in 1913, Grand Central Terminal – commonly, if incorrectly, called Grand Central Station – is one of New York’s most venerated beaux-arts…

3 . Morgan Library & Museum

Incorporating the mansion once owned by steel magnate JP Morgan, this sumptuous cultural center houses a phenomenal array of manuscripts, tapestries and…

4 . New York Public Library

Loyally guarded by 'Patience' and 'Fortitude' (the marble lions overlooking Fifth Ave), this beaux-arts show-off is one of NYC's best free attractions…

5 . Japan Society

Elegant exhibitions of both traditional and contemporary Japanese art, textiles and design are the main draw at this calming cultural center, complete…

6 . United Nations

New York is the home of the UN, a worldwide organization overseeing international law, security and human rights. The Le Corbusier–designed Secretariat…

7 . Bryant Park

European coffee kiosks, alfresco chess games, summer film screenings and winter ice skating: it's hard to believe that this leafy oasis was a crime-ridden…

8 . Le Carrousel

Among Bryant Park's attractions is this French-inspired, Brooklyn-made carousel, with over a dozen delightfully baroque animals you can ride to the sounds…

Chrysler Building

Price & Hours

• Facilities 1.0
• Atmosphere 3.0

Technically, the Chrysler Building is an office building open Monday through Friday, but you don't need to go inside to appreciate its aesthetic appeal. Recent visitors praised the building's unique architectural style (though a few wished you could still go inside to admire its intricate lobby and elevators).

Built in 1930, the Chrysler had a short-lived run as the tallest building in the city, before it was usurped of its title by the Empire State Building . Nevertheless, this 1,046-foot-high skyscraper remains a favorite among New Yorkers for its classic art deco style. And unlike the Empire State, at this site you won't need an expensive entry ticket, a strong stomach to stand soaring heights or patience for long lines to see what all the fuss is about. You can behold the building's menacing gargoyles and triangular openings from many spots in Manhattan. Though the lobby is currently closed to visitors, there have been talks of building an observation deck, though none is available at this time.

You'll reach the Chrysler building if you take the S, 4, 5, 6 or 7 trains to the Grand Central-42nd St. station. 

Popular Tours

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

(9322 reviews)

from $ 99.00

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

(3160 reviews)

from $ 46.82

Empire State Building Ticket

(4992 reviews)

from $ 47.91

More Best Things To Do in New York City

#1 Central Park

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

Explore More of New York City

Things To Do

Best Hotels

You might also like

Philadelphia

# 1 in  Best Day Trips from NYC

# 3 in  Best Day Trips from NYC

# 1 in  Best Places to Visit in New Jersey

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Chrysler Building in New York City – Information for Visitors

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: March 25, 2020

Categories United States

Home / North America / United States / Chrysler Building in New York City – Information for Visitors

The Chrysler Building is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in New York City, and while visitors can only access the building’s lobby (the observation deck on the 71st floor closed to the public in 1945), the structure is still well worth a visiting due to its spectacular architecture.

Ticket Info & Opening Hours

The Chrysler Building lobby is open to the public from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Tickets are not required to enter the lobby, however, the rest of the building is off-limits to the public and there are no tours to the wider areas.

History & more information

The Chrysler Building is an art deco-style skyscraper found on the East Side of New York’s Midtown Manhattan. This spectacular building stands at 319 meters high and houses 77 floors.

Furthermore, it has a lobby three stories high and for 11 months the Chrysler Building was the tallest building in the world before being surpassed by the Empire State Building!

Designed by architect William Van Alen for Mr. Walter P. Chrysler, the building commenced construction on September 19th, 1928 (a time when the battle to build the tallest building was in full swing) and cost a whopping $20 million to finish.

Photo: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

Van Alen showered the building with his impressive design work and included a homage to cars (chrome hubcaps, a car-grill, and racing car sculptures all adorn the building).

In 1947 the Chrysler family sold the building for $18 million and since then, ownership has passed hands many different times. Today the building is in negotiation to be bought for $150 million by Signa Holding, Austria’s largest privately-owned real estate company.

Photo: meunierd / Shutterstock.com

Points of Interest

The Exterior

Before you enter the building, make sure you look up and take a glimpse at the 185-foot spire designed by William Van Alen who was inspired by a car radiator grill.

Other things to note on the exterior of the building include the winged silver ornaments on the 31st floor and the crown of the building which boasts seven arches.

Marble Walls

Check out the Moroccan marble walls in the lobby, they’re adorned with Art Deco light fixtures.

The lobby’s floors re yellow Siena marble with amber, onyx, and blue marble trim which makes them pretty impressive to look at!

The Reception Desk

Take a look at the lobby’s reception desk, it features multiple patterns made from a variety of types of wood (a similar style to the elevator doors).

Ceiling Mural

One of the most impressive features of the Chrysler Building’s lobby is the mural ceiling. Created by Edward Trumbull, the ceiling painting depicts the Chrysler Building as well as a variety of other buildings and an airplane.

Photo: travelview / Shutterstock.com

How to get to Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is found at 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street on Manhattan’s East Side. The area is commonly referred to as Midtown. To get there by subway, take the 4, 5, 6 or 7 subway to Grand Central Station and then walk to Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street.

• From Times Square, it takes about 15 minutes on foot.
• From The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, the Chrysler Building is just a 16-minute walk away.
• From the south exit of Central Park, the Chrysler Building is just a 25-minute walk away.

Best time to visit

The Chrysler Building lobby is only open on weekdays and the crowds you want to avoid are office workers going about their day! Try to avoid arriving between the hours of 8am and 10am when people are arriving for work, and again between 4pm and 6pm when people are heading home from work.

Facts about Chrysler Building

• In total, 391,881 rivets and 29,961 tons of steel were used, and approximately 3,826,000 bricks were manually laid, to create the non-loadbearing walls of the skyscraper.
• The Chrysler Building is renowned and recognized for its terraced crown. Composed of seven radiating terraced arches, Van Alen’s design of the crown is a cruciform groin vault constructed into seven concentric members with transitioning setbacks, mounted up one behind another.
• It was the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation from 1930 until the mid-1950s. Although the building was built and designed specifically for the car manufacturer, the corporation did not pay for the construction of it and never owned it, as Walter P. Chrysler decided to pay for it himself, so that his children could inherit it.
• There are 32 elevators in the Chrysler Building – four banks of eight elevators. They are beautifully inlaid with intricate designs.
• The ceiling of the lobby is painted with a mural by Edward Trumbull entitled “Transport and Human Endeavor.” The mural depicts scenes from Chrysler’s own assembly line, Charles Lindbergh flying The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic and The Chrysler Building itself.
• The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976, a New York City Landmark in 1978, and is considered by many contemporary architects to be one of the finest buildings in New York City.
• New York’s Skyscraper Museum polled one hundred architects, builders, critics, engineers and historians in 2005, asking them to choose their favorite buildings in New York. The Chrysler Building came in first. Ninety percent of those polled placed in on their top-ten list.
• The Chrysler family sold the building in 1953. Though the building still bears their name, they do not own it.
• Though the building was done very quickly, with an average of 4 floors per week built, no one was killed during the construction.
• The lobby of the Chrysler Building contains the world’s very first digital clock.

Photo: Kamira/Shutterstock

FAQ’s (Things to know before you go)

Where are the best views of the Chrysler Building?

Consider heading up the Empire State Building (and looking northeast) or head to the Top of the Rock (and look southeast) to enjoy views over the Chrysler Building. Additionally, there are some streets in midtown Manhattan where you can see the skyscraper in the background. 

Is it true that only the lobby is open to the public?

Yes, members of the public can only explore the lobby, they can not use the elevators or explore any other part of the building.

Why is the Chrysler Building of importance?

The Chrysler Building is considered to be one of the finest displays of Art Deco architecture in America and was created at a time when New York wanted to be the home of the tallest building in the world.

What can I do at the Chrysler Building?

Explore the lobby, admire art deco architecture, and enjoy views of the building from the sidewalk.

How do I get tickets?

You don’t need a ticket to enter the building, simply walk straight in.

Do you have more questions about Chrysler Building in New York City? Leave a comment below!

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

I was fortunate to go to the Empire State Building. What an awesome view at the top! I would go back again.

Chrysler Building

Rated out of 5 Read Reviews

The 1047 foot tall Chrysler Building held the title of the world's tallest building for one year when it was surpassed by the Empire State Building

In the 1920s, New York became obsessed with breaking the record of the world's tallest building. The title was achieved when the 1,047 foot Chrysler Building was built in 1930, but short-lived being surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931. Almost thwarted all together by the Bank of Manhattan building being built at the same time, the stainless steel spire was constructed in secret and installed in 90 minutes giving the Chrysler Building the needed height win the title.

One of the most recognisable buildings in the Manhattan skyline, the 77-floor Art Deco building is currently the third tallest building in New York City. Since its restoration in 1996, the polished chromium nickel of the stepped dome building gleams even on cloudy days.

Automobile tycoon, Walter Chrysler purchased the design from architect William Van Alen and intended to make the building the Chrysler headquarters. Many decorative features inspired by Chrysler's automobiles including stainless steel eagle hood ornaments on the 61st floor and replicas of Chrysler radiator caps on the 31st floor.

Now a state of the art office building, the building is primarily used for business and there is no access for visitors beyond the lobby, but the intricate Art Deco marble floors and elevator banks are definitely worth a peek.

Nearby attractions: Grand Central Terminal , New York Public Library

• See the complete line of New York City Experiences on Viator

Facts For Your Visit

Chrysler Building Hours: Opening hours may differ on holidays

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Address: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174, USA

Phone: (212) 682-3070

Official Website: Chrysler Building

Chrysler Building Reviews

How to get to Chrysler Building by Subway

Take the 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central / 42 Street, exit onto 42nd Street and walk east to the corner of Lexington Avenue. Note that you may get better views of the building itself from farther back.

Map & Instant Route Finder

Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.

Accommodations near Chrysler Building:

Photo gallery.

Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.

Visit New York City’s Chrysler Building

Chrysler building, chrysler building tours, chrysler building history, chrysler building facts.

The Chrysler Building is a supertall skyscraper in New York City. It was the first supertall (buildings taller than 1000 feet) to be built in the world, and it is widely regarded as the most beautiful skyscraper in the city by many New Yorkers.

Walter Chrysler of Chrysler Motors Corporation wanted a building that would be a fitting symbol of his machine-age empire. Architect Willam Van Alen set out to erect the world’s tallest building and had immediate competition from a bank tower going up at 40 Wall Street with the same goal in mind.

Visitors can view the building from the outside, and the lobby is open to the public for free, where they can admire the art deco details and an ornate ceiling mural by Edward Trumbull. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Chrysler Building lobby is open to the public (excluding federal holidays). There are no tickets required to enter the lobby.

The remainder of the structure is leased to businesses and is not accessible to visitors. There are no guided tours of the building. For tourists, there is no access beyond the lobby.

Van Alen had a big surprise that was kept from the media and the public. He secretly built a spire inside the building. At the last minute, to everyone’s amazement, the 185-ft spire was hoisted through the roof and bolted into place. This made it the world’s tallest building at 1046 feet, 119 feet taller than the Wall Street Building.

The victory was short-lived, however. The Empire State Building surpassed the Chrysler Building in height just 12 months later.

The Chrysler Building is named after the Chrysler Corporation (now known as Fiat Chrysler), one of the world’s largest automakers; it was the founder of Chrysler Corporation who proposed and funded the building’s construction. For more than two decades, the building housed the Chrysler Corporation’s headquarters.

The elaborate ornamentation at the top of the Chrysler Building continues to make it one of the most popular buildings in New York City.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Council and Tishman Speyer now own the Chrysler Building. It is primarily an office building that houses the corporate headquarters of several major investment and real estate firms.

• Built from 1929 to 1930
• Constructed of steel with brick and stainless steel on the exterior
• Height: 1046 ft
• Number of Floors: 77
• Height Record: Tallest building in the world at completion, overtaken by the Empire State Building just one year later. Currently the third tallest building in New York City.
• Architect: William Van Alen
• Style: Art Deco

Related posts:

Share this:, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Chrysler building is finally getting an observation deck

After years and years of discussions, it finally seems that 2022 is the right year to have a New Observation Deck in the city: the one of the Chrysler Building .

If this happens – and we really hope it does – the Chrysler Building will join the list of the other 5 observation decks that are already in NYC : Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, The Edge and The Summit.

Seeing the city of NYC from above is without a doubt one of the most unique experiences to have in NYC. If you’re traveling on a budget but at the same time want to see the city from a different perspective, we recommend 2 options:

The first one is a Rooftop Bar . We have selected for you a list of the 5 best rooftop bars in the Times Square area .

READ ALSO >   3 Best Rooftop Bars Around Times Square

The second is to take the Roosevelt Island Tramway , a cable car that connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and costs only 2.75$.

READ ALSO >   Roosevelt Island Tramway: everything you need to know

Going back to the main topic of this article: the Chrysler Building is undoubtedly one of NYC’s most loved skyscrapers. It is located near Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. On foot, from Times Square, you can get there in about 15 minutes.

As beautiful and unique as it is, unfortunately for the moment it is only observable from the outside. We look forward to this change and hopefully we will have the opportunity not only to enter its hall , but also to take its historic elevators and visit the observatory .

READ ALSO >   5 unmissable and not-too-touristy places within walking distance of Times Square

New Observation Deck – The project

It’s been discussed for a long time, and now it has finally become reality: the Chrysler Building will be getting an observation deck!

It’s set to be built on the 61st floor , and it will transform the current northern and southern terraces into an observation deck with a view that overlooks Midtown, the East River and One Vanderbilt Summit.

As you can see from the initial designs, the deck will have glass walls like the Top of the Rock, so it’ll provide a great view of the streets of Midtown Manhattan.

How high is the Chrysler Building observation deck?

Since the plans call for it to be located on the 61st floor, right at the level of the Art Deco eagles , it will be just over 200 feet up .

In addition to this, the 62nd floor will be rebuilt to create an enclosed area , similar to the ones at the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building , One Vanderbilt Summit and Edge Hudson Yards.

If you are in the area of the Chrysler Building we suggest you walk about 10 minutes north to see the most beautiful Artificial Waterfall in Midtown Manhattan , a secret place unknown to many tourists.

READ ALSO >  Secret Spot: A Waterfall in Midtown Manhattan

Our Chrysler Building sightseeing tours

In our portfolio we have several tours that allow you to discover Midtown Manhattan and see the Chrysler Building with us. Among these the best are:

Discover NYC – Day Luxury Tour

• Departure and return from Times Square
• Travel on a Luxury Mini Bus with panoramic transparent glass roof
• Includes a view of the city and its skyline from the Staten Island Ferry
• Visit in 6 hours the most famous landmarks of NYC such as: Empire State Building, Central Park, Flatiron Building, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty and many more
• Use CODE NY15 to get 15% OFF  – Exclusive for Discover NYC
• Click 👉🏼  HERE for more information about our Discover NYC – Day Luxury Tour

Manhattan in Lights – Luxury Night Tour

• Ride on a luxury mini bus with panoramic clear glass roof
• Little Island
• Pier 17 & Brooklyn Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal and Hudson Yards + the Vessel
• Upgrade to include a ticket to “The Edge” to see the city from the tallest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere
• Use CODE NY15 to get 15% OFF  both on the tour and the EDGE ticket (you won’t find a similar discount anywhere else)
• Click 👉🏼  HERE for all the info about our Manhattan in Lights – Luxury Night Tour

Boroughs Tour: Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens + Coney Island

• Start and return in front of Grand Central Terminal
• 7-hour tour with several stops around the city to visit Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens
• Also includes a visit to Coney Island to see the iconic NYC beach
• Apollo Theater in Harlem
• Yankees Stadium in the Bronx
• Flushing Meadows in Queens
• Williamsburg in Brooklyn and
• Coney Island
• Click 👉🏼  HERE for all the info about our Boroughs Tour

MORE FROM THE BLOG

• DYKER HEIGHTS & DUMBO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR
• LATEST ARTICLES FROM OUR BLOG
• CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

Chrysler Building Facts and Information

The Chrysler Building is a supertall skyscraper in New York City , it's the first supertall (buildings higher than 1000 ft) built in the world, the building is considered by many New Yorkers as the most beautiful skyscraper in the city.

In 1976, the Chrysler Building was declared a National Historic Landmark, and a New York City Landmark in 1978. Below are some facts and information about the Chrysler Building.

The Chrysler Building is named after the Chrysler Corporation (Now called Fiat Chrysler), which is one of the largest auto makers in the world, it was the founder of Chrysler Corporation proposed this building and funded the construction of the building. And the building served as the headquarters of Chrysler Corporation for more than twenty years.

The address of the Chrysler Building is 405 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York City. The building is located at the intersection of East 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue in Midtown New York.

The most iconic building near the Chrysler Building is the MetLife Building. The Chrysler Building is only 100 meters away from the Grand Central Terminal, which is located in front of the MetLife Building.

The Chrysler Building stands 319 meters (1047 ft) tall and has 77 floors, when the building was built in 1930, it surpassed the Eiffel Tower in Paris becoming the tallest man-made structure in the world, and overtook the title of the world's tallest building from the Trump Building in Lower Manhattan, it had been holding that title from 1930 to 1931, for 11 months, until it was surpassed by the nearby Empire State Building .

The building contains a 122 ft spire, its roof height is 925 ft(282 meters), which is measured to the bottom of the spire from the ground. The highest floor in the Chrysler Building is 77th floor at 858 ft high, and the highest occupied floor is at 828 ft. The Chrysler Building is the 11th tallest building in New York City among all the completed and topped-out buildings in the city. Although nowadays the Chrysler Building is not as tall as lots of skyscrapers around world , the building is still the tallest building in the world built with bricks.

As its name suggests, Chrysler Building was initially owned by Chrysler family, who moved out and sold the building in 1953, however, the building still bears their name. In 2008, Abu Dhabi Investment Council purchased 90% of the building for $800 million, co-owned the building with the real estate firm Tishman Speyer for more than a decade.

In March 2019, the New York-based real estate company RFR Holding bought the Chrysler Building for only $150 million, becoming the current owner of the building.

The Chrysler Building is a pure-office building. It had once been the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation since its opening in 1930 until in 1953, when Chrysler Corporation sold the building and moved out. Now the building is occupied by a variety of tenants.

After RFR Holding purchased the building in March 2019, the owner of the company Aby Rosen expressed the interest in transforming the tower into a hotel .

Apart from the observation deck, there was a private lunch club called Cloud Club at 66th to 68th floors. Walter Chrysler had a private dining room on the 2nd floor of the club. The Cloud Club closed in late 1970s. Now the space of the Cloud Club has been leased as office space by its former owner Tishman Speyer.

The Chrysler Building was designed by New York architect William Van Alen, the building is a leading example of Art Deco architecture, buildings designed with this type of architectural style generally feature an overall shape in simple rectangular forms, but are also heavily decorated with many ornamental elements. Art Deco buildings are mostly built with traditional materials like bricks, concrete, marble, etc. Other notable examples of Art Deco buildings in New York include the Empire State Building, 70 Pine Street, American Radiator Building, 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The facade of Chrysler building is mostly clad with white brick, and mixed with a small proportion of dark gray brickwork in window rows, it's used as horizontal decoration to enhance the building's window rows. The building has a total of 3,862 windows.

The most recognized feature of the Chrysler building is its terraced crown. Each of four faces of the crown is composed of seven radiating terraced arches, each arch is mounted up behind another arch at a lower position, and each arch has a certain number of triangular form windows radiating from the below terrace.

Development:

In late 1920s, there was an intense competition in New York City to build the world’s tallest building. Walter Chrysler, the owner of Chrysler Corporation planned to build a tallest building in Midtown New York, he wished to make the building the headquarters of his company, the construction fee was not paid by Chrysler Corporation but by Walter Chrysler himself, because he wanted to let his children inherit the building after he died. Construction of the Chrysler Building commenced on September 18, 1928. The building was rising very fast, with an average of 4 floors built per week, and no one was killed during the construction, by contrast, 5 workers were killed during the construction of Empire State Building. There were a total of 391831 rivets, 29,961 tons of steel, and approximately 3,826,000 bricks were used in the construction, the construction cost $20 million, approximately $287 million in 2018, this figure is stilled considered on lower side compared to other buildings in today's New York City, the construction of One World Trade Center cost $3.9 billion in 2014, this is partially because the construction labor in America was come from immigrants by that time. The building was complete on May 27, 1930 after its spire was raised to the top in 90 minutes, giving the building an additional height of 122 ft, hence surpassed 40 Wall Street becoming the tallest building in the world.

Popular Culture:

Being an icon of New York City, the Chrysler Building has been featured in numerous films, TV series and video games. Below are some of them.

In 2016 American superhero film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows : The film begins with four turtles standing on the crown of Chrysler Building. In 2012 American science fiction film Men in Black 3 : Agent J went up to an upper floor of Chrysler Building, he is told to jump of the Chrysler Building so he can travel back in time to save Agent K and he did it.

In 1998 American science fiction film Armageddon , the Chrysler Building is destroyed by a meteor, the entire crown is truncated and fell to the ground.

In 2018 video game Marvel's Spider-Man : A highly realistic Chrysler Building is shown in the game without any modification. However, the building is removed in the sequel of the game, due to the game developer couldn't get permission from the new owner of the building.

Chrysler Building in New York

Visit one of new york’s famous monuments.

The Chrysler Building is a landmark building that holds the record for being the first building to surpass 1,000 feet in height. One of the star attractions on the east side of Manhattan, New York, the art deco-style Chrysler Building boasts 77 floors and a stunning height of 1,046 feet. Most of the building is available to tour to see the incredible construction and architectural details.

The art deco masterpiece skyscraper is hard to miss on the New York City skyline, since it towers over other surrounding places in its vicinity. Whether you want to tour the inside of the building or just catch a glimpse of it, the historical building has several exciting viewpoints both within the building and from other observation areas within the city.

Chrysler Building in New York - one of the highlights of 11 Most Iconic Buildings in New York (Read all about New York here)

Chrysler Building highlights

The Chrysler Building is a fascinating historic landmark that draws visitors from all over. Within the building, you can see spectacular views of the city and get a glimpse into the art deco era in New York City. If you want a new view of the city, book a night tour of the city and check out the Chrysler Building and surrounding skyscrapers illuminated with lights. 

History of the Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building was originally introduced by the developer and New York Senator, William H. Reynolds. However, the actual construction came from Walter Chrysler, the head of the Chrysler Corporation. On May 27, 1930, the building was completed. For 11 months after completion, it held the title of the tallest building in the world. Although built for Chrysler Corporation, Walter Chrysler funed and retained  ownership of the building for his children to inherit. In 1952, the building was sold to the Chrysler family and had several owners over the years before becoming a New York City landmark and National Historic Landmark in 1976.

The construction cost about $10 million. William Van Alen is the architect that originally designed the magnificent skyscraper, while Ralph Squire & Sons engineering firm handled construction. To this day, the Chrysler Building is still an exemplar of art-deco architecture and a famous landmark in New York City. 

Good to know when visiting the Chrysler Building

The building is open for tours on weekdays between 8 am to 6 pm and is free to visit. Although it only opens during the day, nighttime brings out a whole new look, as the elaborate architectural details are highlighted by lights. While you are at the Chrysler Building, you can also visit other attractions in the area like the Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Market.

Because of the  people who come to visit, it is advisable to book your travel in advance and include the Chrysler Building in your sightseeing itinerary. You can find hotels and vacation rentals near the building to stay nearby.  For refreshments during your sightseeing, you can visit places like Juice generation and Gregorys Coffee to pick up snacks  and drinks.

Location: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174, United States

Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 6 pm

Phone: +1 212-682-3070

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

Start planning your trip

Related stories.

Newark Liberty International Airport

6 Things to Do in Fall in New York

Broadway Theatre in New York

13 Best Things to Do in New York

10 Best Hotels with Rooftop Pools in New York

The Battery in New York

10 Best Spas in New York

10 Best Nightclubs in New York

Keep exploring.

• Lake George
• Lake Placid
• United States of America
• Albuquerque
• Amelia Island
• Anna Maria Island
• Atlantic City
• Big Bear Lake
• Cannon Beach
• Cape Canaveral
• Catalina Island
• Chattanooga
• Colorado Springs
• Corpus Christi
• Daytona Beach
• Door County
• Florida Keys
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Walton Beach
• Gulf Shores
• Hawaii Island
• Hilton Head Island
• Indianapolis
• Jacksonville
• Jekyll Island
• Jersey Shore
• Kansas City
• Laguna Beach
• Lake Charles
• Lake Geneva
• Lincoln City
• Long Beach Island
• Los Angeles
• Mackinac Island
• Mackinaw City
• Mammoth Lakes
• Martha's Vineyard
• Minneapolis
• Myrtle Beach
• New Orleans
• New Shoreham
• Oklahoma City
• Orange County
• Outer Banks
• Palm Springs
• Panama City
• Panama City Beach
• Philadelphia
• Pigeon Forge
• Pismo Beach
• Pocono Mountains
• Port Aransas
• Rehoboth Beach
• Salt Lake City
• San Antonio
• San Francisco
• San Luis Obispo
• Sanibel Captiva Island
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Monica
• South Lake Tahoe
• South Padre Island
• St. Augustine
• St. Petersburg
• St. Petersburg - Clearwater (and vicinity)
• Traverse City
• Tybee Island
• Virginia Beach
• Williamsburg
• Wisconsin Dells
• Yellowstone National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Zion National Park
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

North America

Australia - new zealand and the south pacific, mexico and central america, middle east, south america, top destinations, top countries & regions, support & faqs, website feedback.

• Review a property

For Suppliers, Affiliates, and the Media

• Affiliate with us
• Expedia Partner Solutions
• Promote with us
• Travel agents

User terms & Privacy

• Terms & Conditions
• Do not sell my personal information
• About our ads
• Legal Information

List your property

• Hotels near me
• Travel Guides
• Vacation Rentals

* Some hotels require you to cancel more than 24 hours before check-in. Details on site.

© 2024 Hotels.com is an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved.

Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the United States and/ or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Annual skilled trades competition builds technical and professional skills for Iowa students

• Wednesday, May 1, 2024
• Headline Story

Southeast Polk senior Simon Frohock (R) competed in the cabinet making contest for a second year.

High-quality career and professional skill development took center stage last week as over 600 high school and college students took part in the annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference . Held in Ankeny at the Des Moines Area Community College campus, this two-day competition featured over 50 different leadership and technical competitions for students to test their technical skills and knowledge, explore career pathways and make valuable connections with local industry leaders.

Southeast Polk High School seniors Delvis Kouete and Simon Frohock, both 17, were well-prepared for the competition, which featured timed activities related to industrial technology, carpentry, robotics, automotive repair and job interview techniques, among many others. For this year’s skills competition, Delvis competed in architectural drafting and was a member of the school’s quiz bowl team. Simon, the 2023 state champion in cabinet making, returned for a second year in the cabinet making contest. Both students competed well in their individual competitions, with Delvis placing fifth and Simon serving as this year’s runner-up.

“The skills competition can help you strive for excellence in your work and learning,” Simon said. “Even though it’s a competition and there is pressure to do well, it’s a good, low-risk way to see what an employee in this work has to do every day.”

Both Simon and Delvis noted that the competition not only helps to strengthen a student’s technical skills, but it also engages students in career pathway discovery and professional skill development.

“Being a part of SkillsUSA and competing in the skills competition has helped me learn new skills with my hands and work on teamwork, communication and leadership skills,” Delvis said. “You learn how to work with other people that aren’t like you and get your mind thinking about your future career.”

Along with the individual contests, all competitors at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference were required to submit a resume and take a professional development test that focused on workplace, professional and technical skills as well as overall knowledge of SkillsUSA.

“SkillsUSA helps provide real-world context to the content being taught by classroom educators,” said Kent Storm, state director for SkillsUSA Iowa. “Taking the learning beyond the classroom allows students to grow and learn next to industry partners and gain valuable experience."

As one of Iowa’s career and technical student organizations (CTSO) , SkillsUSA champions the skilled trades industry and provides opportunities for students to apply the skills they have developed in classrooms through conferences, competitions, community service events, worksite visits and other activities.

“Participation in a CTSO like SkillsUSA helps students gain hands-on experience and connect classroom curricula to careers,” said Cale Hutchings, education consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. “Through CTSOs, students can become leaders and strengthen their employability skills, which is valuable as they explore potential next steps in their college and career pathways.”

SkillsUSA boasts a roster of over 400,000 members nationwide. In Iowa, over 1,300 students and advisers in career and technical education programs participate in local SkillsUSA chapters.

At Southeast Polk, 21 student members are a part of their SkillsUSA chapter. Led by industrial technology teachers and chapter advisers Ryan Andersen and Brett Rickabaugh, the students have been involved with several community service projects, employer presentations and opportunities to work closely with instructors.

“Any time a student participates in SkillsUSA, it gives us more time with that student to elaborate on what we’ve learned in class,” Andersen said. “They can connect the idea to the planning, design and completion of a project and how that activity fits into a real career. That’s something we can’t replicate without a CTSO.”

Anderson also stated that students who participate in SkillsUSA and activities like the State Leadership and Skills Conference build confidence through their experiences.

“It really helps students to have the confidence to rely on their skills and what they know,” he said. “The skills competition requires them to use problem-solving skills and build off their knowledge to continue to learn and persevere.”

This year’s first-place winners at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference will move onward to compete with 6,000 other students at the national conference in Atlanta this June.

For Simon and Delvis, the skills competition was another step in building necessary skills and acumen for their futures. Simon, with his penchant for cabinet making, already has a full-time job lined up after graduation with a local cabinet shop. Additionally, Delvis would like to pursue something within the computer science field, perhaps in the coding or software engineering areas, and although he is changing fields, he believes SkillsUSA has helped him feel more prepared for the future.

“It has definitely helped me with skill-building and problem-solving,” he said. “What I’ve learned will be beneficial no matter what I decide to do next.”  

China launches Chang'e 6 lunar probe, revving up space race with U.S.

WENCHANG SPACE LAUNCH SITE, China — China launched an uncrewed lunar spacecraft Friday in a first-of-its-kind mission to bring back samples from the far side of the moon, the latest step in a rapidly advancing Chinese space program that is spurring competition with the United States and others. 

The Chang’e 6 lifted off on time at 5:27 p.m. local time (5:27 a.m. ET) from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China’s southern island province of Hainan.

The launch of the lunar probe, which NBC News was one of a handful of news organizations to attend, and the national excitement around it had transformed the normally sleepy fishing village of Longlou into a major tourist attraction, with crowds spilling from tour buses and heading to beaches and rooftops with the best views of the spaceport. One rooftop owner said he had sold out 200 seats at 200 yuan (about $28) each.

Ahead of the launch there was a festival-like atmosphere on the beach, where vendors offered space paraphernalia and groups of children sold Chinese flags for 3 yuan (about 40 cents) each. Families sprawled on picnic blankets playing cards, while others strung up hammocks between palm trees so they could wait in the limited shade.

Yiuwah Ng, a 28-year-old real estate office worker from the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai, traveled six hours by car and another three hours by ferry to stake out the best spot along the shore, where he had been camping for three days with friends and his dog. 

“I want to witness this historic moment,” he said of the launch, his fourth. “It’s an important first step for China’s lunar exploration.”

Max Zhang, a self-described “rocket chaser” from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, has been photographing launches at Wenchang from the beach since 2011. 

“I’m addicted to the shock of seeing the launches, especially the sound of the rocket flame,” he said. “It shakes my heart.”

‘ A force to be reckoned with’

If successful, the Chang’e mission will be a crucial step in realizing the country’s goals of landing Chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030 and eventually building a base on the lunar surface.

The outcome of the mission will also have implications far beyond China’s borders. A slew of spacefaring nations — including Russia, India, Japan and the U.S. — also have their sights set on the moon, creating what some experts have likened to a new kind of space race.

“China is trying to prove that it’s a force to be reckoned with, and so it’s always that China is competing against everyone in space,” said Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

A successful Chang’e 6 mission would demonstrate how sophisticated China’s lunar exploration program has become in a relatively short time.

“Twenty-five years ago, they had very rudimentary space capabilities,” said Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank based in Washington. “Going from that to where they are today — I think they’ve clearly exceeded Russia, and their space capabilities are really only second to the United States.”

China achieved its first moon landing in 2013 with the Chang’e 3 mission, which set a lander and rover on the lunar surface to study the moon’s terrain. Before that, only the U.S. and the former Soviet Union had successfully landed spacecraft on the moon.

In 2019, China notched another historic milestone with its Chang’e 4 flight, becoming the first country to land a probe on the far side of the moon , the part that permanently faces away from Earth.

The following year, in 2020, China returned to the moon’s near side, which always faces Earth, landing the Chang’e 5 spacecraft on a volcanic plain known as Oceanus Procellarum. The probe retrieved samples there and brought them back to Earth, representing a big technological leap forward. 

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has invited scientists from the U.S., Europe and Asia to apply to borrow the lunar samples for their own research, holding a pitch meeting last week in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Researchers funded by NASA received rare approval from Congress to submit proposals, raising the possibility of high-level U.S.-China space cooperation that is otherwise prohibited by U.S. law.

This time, the Chang’e 6 spacecraft is aiming to land and retrieve samples from the South Pole-Aitken basin, an ancient and sprawling impact crater on the far side of the moon.

Conducting a sample return mission from the side of the moon that always faces away from Earth is challenging because mission controllers on the ground have no way of directly contacting a spacecraft in that region. Instead, signals need to be relayed through a satellite now orbiting the moon that China launched from the same site in Hainan last month.

While difficult, the effort could have enormous payoffs. Studies suggest that the moon’s near side was more volcanically active than the far side, which means all of the lunar samples obtained thus far may be telling only part of the story of the moon’s origin and evolution.

Collecting lunar samples from different geological eras and regions “is of great value and significant for all mankind to have a more comprehensive understanding of the moon and even the origin of the solar system,” Ge Ping, a mission leader from CNSA’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, told reporters in Hainan on Thursday.

Beyond its scientific objectives, the Chang’e 6 mission carries with it geopolitical considerations. The flight is a precursor to a pair of Chinese robotic missions to the moon’s south pole to scout locations to build a moon base. Last year, the Chinese and Russian space agencies agreed to jointly build a research station on the lunar surface.

NASA and its commercial partners also aim to establish a permanent presence at the lunar south pole, though the agency’s Artemis moon missions have faced numerous delays and budget overruns . The current timeline has American astronauts returning to the lunar surface in 2026 at the earliest.

With China and Russia forming a rival coalition, there is some pressure for the U.S. to keep its foot on the accelerator, Harrison said.

“It does matter who gets there first, and it matters how you get there and what kind of coalition you’re bringing with you,” he said.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has on multiple occasions warned that the U.S. runs the risk of falling behind China’s lunar ambitions. In an interview this week with Yahoo Finance , Nelson outlined what’s at stake in the new space race.

“I think it’s not beyond the pale that China would suddenly say, ‘We are here. You stay out,’” he said.

Asked Thursday about international competition in space, Ge said, “All countries in the world should explore, develop and use outer space peacefully.” 

“There is no need to worry too much,” he added. “Space programs are for all humans.”

As more countries around the world build up space capabilities, NASA has pushed for more global cooperation, establishing the Artemis Accords in 2020 to promote peaceful, responsible and sustainable practices. U.S. law prevents China from joining the 39 other nations that have signed the accords, which both China and Russia have criticized as a tool to promote U.S. dominance in space.

Many Western space policy experts have in turn raised concerns about China’s and Russia’s intentions. The full scope of China’s ambitions in space is not known, for instance, because its space agency does not operate with the same level of transparency as NASA. The country’s space program is also more closely tied to the military than in the U.S.

“We cannot ever say that China’s investment in civilian space technologies are only civilian and not to be used for military purposes,” said Namrata Goswami, a professor in the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University and co-author of the 2020 book “Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space.”

While it may feel as if China’s spaceflight objectives have accelerated in recent years, they are part of a decadeslong strategy, Goswami said.

“Many of the leaders of China’s space program announced these goals and timelines 20 years ago,” she said. “What is astounding to me is that they are achieving almost all their milestones on time, and for them, that has a strategic advantage in the global narrative of who’s doing it better.”

As much as the moon and its resources can provoke competition among nations, space exploration can also be unifying, Swope said.

“We are literally a speck in the universe, and when we go to the moon or explore space, we as humankind have that shared human trait where we want to understand the unknown and we want to discover,” he said. “That does transcend politics.”

Janis Mackey Frayer reported from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China, and Denise Chow reported from New York.

Janis Mackey Frayer is a Beijing-based correspondent for NBC News.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.