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The Chrysler Building!
In the mid-late 1800's, the site of the Chrysler Building was still a goat pasture. It wasn't until the very late 1800's that the are began to be colonized. In 1925, real estate tycoon William H. Reynolds, owner of Coney Island, commisioned architect William van Alen to design him a world's tallest building at the site of 42nd and Lexington Avenue. Van Alen was very enthusiastic about the concept, and designed him a building with a 7-humped spire. Reynolds had no real intention to execute the project, and in 1928, he sold the design to Walter P. Chrysler for million dollars along with the half block of land along Lexington Ave. and between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Groundbreaking started in late 1928, construction started in 1929, and the building was finally completed in january 1931. But, when under construction, the announced height was to be 925 feet, so, van Alens former partner and current enemy, H. Craig Severance, designed the Bank of Manhattan a.k.a. 40 Wall St. to be only 2 feet higher and to have easily outdone his opponent. However, Chrysler and van Alen both predicted this move, and only 90 minutes after the flagpole on 40 Wall was raised, a 123 ft. "vertex" spire was raised out of the fire shaft of the building making the final height of the building, 1048 ft. 40 Wall was only the World's Tallest for 93 minutes. It was the first buildng to become taller than the Eiffle Tower and the first structure to be taller than 1000 ft. At the time, anything over 1000 was considered a mountain. Van Alen jokingly asked the National Geographical Society if his buildng would apply. However, the Chrysler Buildings title was reletively short, also. Jealousy was building up on General Motors, who discovered that their top competitor, Chrysler Motor Corp., had the tallest building giving Chrysler extreme and free advertising. So, General Motors sponsored the construction of the Empire State Building, which was originally planned to be 50 storeys tall, added 53 storeys to it and making it the tallest. However, the Chrysler's locatin was perfect. it was right in the middle of the midtown area and right next to Grand Central Station, so it was filled with occupants quickly. Up until the 1960's, the ESB remained half-empty because of the poor location. The building had a small observatory at the 71st storey, which Chrysler ordered closed the day the ESB became taller. Now, the company "Cowperwood" occupies it. There was also a 2-storey suite for Chrysler near the top, and a nightclub called, "The Cloud Club" for important engineering figures. Now, the suite and the Cloud Club (unfortunately) are being gutted of the original furnishings and donated to museums. One concept of the Cloud Club is to turn it into a fancy restaraunt. Let's hope it happens! |
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