Panchyn 1 Katie Panchyn Michael S. Russo/ Don Hazlitt COR: 390-01 20th June 2014
The Chrysler Building Manhattan has always been an area where investors want to purchase property and build memorable skyscrapers that impact the New York Skyline. The Chrysler Building is no different. With its massive height, detailed architecture and straight pointed top its one of New Yorks most unique buildings from the inside out. Originally, The Chrysler Building was named The Reynolds Building and had a very different design. William H. Reynolds owned the property at 42nd street and Lexington in 1921. The original plans for the building called for a tall building with a big glass dome ceiling. The glass dome would be noticeable from all areas because it would be illuminated from the inside. In 192 Reynolds sold the building site along with the building plans to Walter P. Chrysler to begin construction. Chrysler kept the same architect William Van Alen, who thought the design was wonderful, however he wanted to make a peak rather than dome and change the name to Chrysler (Reynolds, 280).
Panchyn 2 Construction on the Chrysler building began in 1929. It followed the high standards of efficiency and convenience of a tall office building and the look of elegance. As the building rose, it grabbed the attention of so many people because it soared above the world’s tallest towers before it. When it was completed in 1931 it was recorded as the tallest office building in the world. It stands at 1.046 feet of art deco complexion all hand crafted and carefully thought out to perfection. When the building was finished, it first only stood at 927 feet, however, Van Alen’s team surprised everyone when his team strategically assembled a series of triangular windows weighing 27 tons and completed the top of the building bringing it to its final height ( Prestel 55). The outside of the building attracts the eye of tourists, new Yorkers and anyone who knows beauty. Its one of the cities most unique and original looking sky scraper making it noticeable to anyone. If the outside of the building isn’t good enough, the inside is more spectacular. The building has 66 floors with its most amazing at the top. The cloud club opened in July 1930 and was both modern and historic all in one. The high cathedral ceilings, modern art deco look and amazing views of the Battery and Central Park (Grey 140) made it one of the top places on the market for people with money. Cloud Club members paid 300 dollars a month for this exclusive membership to be among the elite.
Panchyn 3 The cloud club remained at the top of the Chrysler Building from 1930 into the 1990s. Although it closed its doors in 1979, the top of the building remained the same and nothing inside changed. An article written in the New Yorker in 2002 by Claudia Roth Pierport reported that the interior of the club has been demolished and possibly has plans to be redone. However, that remains unclear. Today most of the interior remains just as breathtaking as when it was first built. Massive marble walls, four banks and gigantic elevators to take anyone to any of the office floors all remain untouched. One of the most amazing things about this building is the detail and exotic woods, nickel, chrome and steel used to create a one of a kind look (Prestel 55). From a distance, sometimes the Chrysler Building can be confused with The Empire State Building because of its height and appearance. However, unlike the Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building was created and built like a giant craft project (Braley, 138). Most of the inside and outside was soldered or crimped by hand making it one of the most amazingly creating buildings in the world today. Seeing the Chrysler Building first hand is something New Yorkers take for granted. As most New Yorkers are walking at a fast pace through the streets they rarely look up and notice the severity of the building. It stood as one of the tallest buildings in the New York City at one point and is now surrounded by numerous skyscrapers. With that being said, the Chrysler
Panchyn 4 Building inside and out needs to be a stop on all New Yorkers list of things to do and also a destination for tourists. It is important to never forget its history and beauty that is a phenomenal land mark in New York City and always will be.
Works Cited
Gray, Christopher, and Suzanne Braley. New York Streetscapes: Tales of Manhattan's Significant Buildings and Landmarks. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2003. Print.
Reynolds, Donald M. The Architecture of New York City: Histories and Views of Important Structures, Sites, and Symbols. New York: Macmillan, 1984. Print.
Thiel-Siling, Sabine, and Wolfgang Bachmann. Icons of Architecture: The 20th Century. Munich: Prestel, 1998. Print.
