Chrysler Building in History: Engaged in a height race with
40 Wall Street builder H. Craig Severance, Van Alen pulled off a
major coup when he surprised the competition with the final addition
of the 180-foot steel spire that made his building the tallest in
the world (at least until the Empire State Building came along).
Chrysler Building Today: The automobile-inspired Art Deco
features remain a crucial element of the city skyline -- so much
so that its image is trademarked.
