Chrysler Building Building
Art Deco skyscraper in Manhattan with distinctive spire
An Art Deco icon in Midtown Manhattan, the Chrysler Building is noted for its stainless-steel crown, ornamented spire and ornate lobby. Tourists photograph its façade from nearby streets and trace the city's 1920s skyline ambitions around Grand Central Terminal.
Chrysler Building at a Glance#
Address: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174, USA
Website: https://www.chryslerbuilding.com
Hours: Lobby generally open weekdays during building business hours; individual businesses and tenant areas vary.
Admission: Free (lobby access); observation deck access not available
About Chrysler Building#
The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper in Manhattan, New York City, completed in 1930 and designed by architect William Van Alen for Walter P. Chrysler. It rises to a roof/architectural height of about 319 metres (1,046 feet) with 77 floors and was the world’s tallest building briefly after its completion.
Its stepped stainless-steel crown with radiating sunburst motifs and ornamented spire are defining features; the building’s façade incorporates automotive-themed and geometric Art Deco ornamentation. The structure contains offices and a historically styled public lobby, while the crown is not open as a public observation deck.
Construction was completed in 1930 during a period of intense competition for height in Manhattan; it lost the title of tallest building to the Empire State Building in 1931. The building remains an architectural landmark and is widely cited as one of the outstanding examples of American Art Deco skyscraper design.
Located in Midtown Manhattan on the east side of Bryant Park and near Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building occupies a prominent block in Manhattan’s grid and is served by multiple subway lines and surface transit.
- Design highlight: The stainless-steel spire and the ornamented crown are visible across midtown Manhattan and are frequently cited as quintessential Art Deco design.
- Viewing and access: Best exterior photo points are on surrounding streets such as Lexington Avenue and from the observation of nearby taller buildings for skyline shots; the lobby contains period Art Deco decoration but public access is limited.
How to Get to Chrysler Building#
Located in Midtown Manhattan at Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street; nearest transit hubs include Grand Central-42nd Street (subway lines 4,5,6,7,S) and numerous bus routes. The main facade faces Lexington Avenue.
Tips for Visiting Chrysler Building#
- The art-deco lobby is the visitor highlight - allow time to study the elevator doors and the famous eagles above the entrance.
- There is no public observation deck; viewing the skyline from nearby Grand Central Terminal or Bryant Park offers good angles.
- Photography is allowed in the public lobby area but be respectful of security and tenants.
Best Time to Visit Chrysler Building#
The building's interior lobby is accessible year-round during business hours; there is no public observation deck.
Weather & Climate near Chrysler Building#
Chrysler Building's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 4° | -5° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 5° | -4° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 1° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| May | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 16° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.8h |
| July | Excellent | 19° - 29° | 24° | 115 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.6h |
| August | Excellent | 19° - 28° | 24° | 110 mm | some cloud | 73% | 3.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Excellent | 15° - 24° | 20° | 104 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 94 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 6° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 7° | -1° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
