Chrysler Building

William Van Alen
1930



At 1046 feet (77 floors), this Art Deco skyscraper with its metal sunburst spire was for a few brief months the tallest structure in the world, beating out even the Eiffel Tower. In these early skyscraper wars, the Empire State Building won the honor.
 
Ornamental details are derived from automobiles: hood ornaments (the eagles on the 61st floor--far right), hubcaps, and bands of abstract automobiles.



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