Designed by William Van Alen, completed 1930 New York City The Chrysler Building, designed by William Van Alen, stands 77 stories tall at Lexington Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets in Manhattan, and is considered one of the most famous and admired skyscrapers in the world. The Chrysler Building owes this position primarily to its distinctive tower, which terminates in a series of curves that support a final pointed spire. At night, v-shaped light patterns mark the successive curves, keeping the structure conspicuous around the clock. The building occupies an easily visible site, across the street from the Grand Central Terminal, where subway lines, commuter rail lines, and long-distance rail lines converge. Other buildings in the area attract less attention because their towers are rectilinear, and thus commonplace. Not only does the Chrysler spire draw attention at close range as well as from afar, but also the ground floor features tall, angular entrances, a lavishly decorated lo...