At 405 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper known for its tiered steel crown and automobile-inspired details. The tower was designed by William Van Alen for Walter Chrysler and completed in 1930. Visitors can admire the exterior and, when access is permitted, see the lobby’s marble, polished walls, custom elevator doors and ceiling mural. The building is still used for private offices, so a visit is best planned as an architectural stop, not a tower tour or observatory visit.
A skyscraper built for the skyline race
The Chrysler Building stands at 405 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, near Grand Central Terminal. Architect William Van Alen designed it for automobile executive Walter Chrysler, who commissioned the tower for his company. Construction began in 1928, and the building opened in 1930.
Its height was part of a contest among New York developers to claim the title of the world’s tallest building. A spire was assembled inside the tower and raised into place near the end of construction, allowing the building to outpace its rivals. The Chrysler Building held the title briefly before the Empire State Building surpassed it in 1931.
Art Deco details inside and out
The building’s upper floors rise to a tiered, sunburst-patterned crown with a steel spire. Look for the eagle ornaments high on the façade and the automobile-inspired forms associated with Chrysler cars, including radiator-cap motifs. These details make the tower recognizable from street level and from other parts of Manhattan.
The lobby gives a closer look at the building’s design. Its interior includes marble, polished walls, custom elevator doors and a ceiling mural titled “Transport and Human Endeavor.” Access is not guaranteed: the building is an active office tower, and visitors may be limited to parts of the lobby or turned away. There is no public tour of the tower.
Planning a visit
Treat the Chrysler Building as a short architectural stop while exploring Midtown, rather than as an observatory visit. Visitors can view the exterior from the street, while lobby access depends on the building’s entry arrangements. If you go inside, keep clear of reception and office traffic, and follow any directions from staff.
A weekday or off-peak visit can make it easier to look around without a crowd. Security staff may be able to answer questions about the building’s history, but do not count on a guided explanation. If the lobby is inaccessible, the crown and façade details remain visible from outside.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can you go inside the Chrysler Building?
Visitors may be able to enter the lobby, but access can be restricted because the building is used for private offices. Public tours of the tower are not offered.
Does the Chrysler Building have an observation deck?
There is no public observation deck at the Chrysler Building.
What should you look for at the Chrysler Building?
From outside, look for the tiered steel crown, eagle ornaments and automobile-inspired details. In the lobby, when access is allowed, see the marble, elevator doors and ceiling mural.
