Taking Questions

Ask About the Chrysler Buillding

David Stravitz, the author of “The Chrysler Building: Creating a New York Icon Day by Day,” responds to readers.

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Following is the first set of answers from David Stravitz, the author of “The Chrysler Building: Creating a New York Icon Day by Day.”

We are no longer accepting questions for this feature.

The Chrysler Building is magnificently unique however viewed, near or afar.

Who owns and operates it now? Are there ever guided tours for people who don’t normally have business dealings that bring them into this New York City landmark/treasure?

— Posted by Perley J. Thibodeau

In the summer of 2008, Tishman Speyer Properties sold 90 percent ownership of the Chrysler Building to the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. The price was an estimated $800 million. Speyer and Travelers Insurance purchased the building for $220 million in 1997. Before that, it was owned by Jack Kent Cooke. It has been a very long time since the family of Walter P. Chrysler owned the building (1947). Although Speyer only owns 10 percent, it continues to be the managing agent.

I do not believe there are guided tours, and if there were you would not see the 71st floor observatory, or the old Cloud Club (Floors 66-68) since each has been long since demolished. You can, I believe, walk in the lobby and maybe take a peek at the restored elevators from a distance. Kind of sad, don’t you think? The topmost floor, the 75th, is — are you ready? — occupied by a dentist.

What’s happening with the Cloud Club? I’ve read at various times over there last few years that there was interest in opening it to the public again, but nothing ever seems to happen. I was fortunate to see it for myself a few years ago. It’s an incredible space and unlike anything else in the city. I can’t help but believe it would be an instant hit.

— Posted by Michael Califra

A few years ago (about 2002), I was invited to a party up there and viewed what was left of the old club’s three floors (66th, 67th and 68th floors). Absolutely nothing is left, since it was demolished in the late 1970s. At the time, the space had undergone some renovations (plumbing and electrical) and all the walls were bare white. It was a “vanilla box.” Their intention, I believe (best guess), was to use it for social functions and subsequently rent it out as office space.

What transpired between then and now? I do not have a clue. I cannot imagine it being another club.

My opinion of the Chrysler Building is that it is the most exuberant and beautiful building in New York City, and perhaps in the world. I have been disappointed not to be allowed in to see inside the building in the post-9/11 world. (The last time I tried was 2003, however, so maybe things have changed?)

Is there a way to get in, individually or as part of a tour, to see the inside of the building?

— Posted by as

There are no tours to my knowledge. It is sad, but after 9/11, the Chrysler once again reigns as New York’s second-largest skyscraper after the Empire State Building. But back in December 1929 (a few months before completion), it was for six months the world’s tallest man-made structure.

Did Chrysler ever have a significant presence in the building? If so, when did it move?

— Posted by Greg

Yes, Walter P. Chrysler kept an office as well as an opulent huge private apartment on the top floor. The quarters had a lavish dining room, and at the time, he was proud to boast of having the highest toilet in Manhattan.

It was his intention to have the Chrysler Building, at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, become headquarters for the car company, but that never did happen. In fact, he seldom visited the apartment and remained mostly in Chrysler’s headquarters in Detroit.

Oh, how wonderful to know this man is around! I can remember the cars on display, the paneled elevators and the lounge at the top, where I enjoyed a drink. Thank you, sir!

— Posted by Miles, Naples, Fl

Of course, you are referring to the Chrysler Salon on the street floor. There you would see the latest year models of gleaming Chryslers, Plymouths, Dodges and the long-since-discontinued DeSoto. DeSoto was just under Chrysler and considered a “poor man’s Chrysler.” Old DeSotos are very desirable for collectors these days.

Passers-by would see many of these cars turning 360 degrees on revolving platforms.

Please explain connection between Chrysler Building and Cooper Union. Is there access to the top of the spire?

— Posted by R.

The Chrysler Building sits on grounds owned by Cooper Union, which represents an endowment for the college. Instead of paying property tax to the city, the Chrysler Building pays Cooper Union, which is tax exempt. As such, even though the Chrysler Building would, like any other commercial structure, be paying real estate taxes, not a single dollar in taxes has gone to new York since its construction. Cooper Union acquired the property in 1902, and has so far upheld its tax-exemption status going back to a charter that dates back to 1859 when it was founded.

Why was the current landlord permitted to demolish the beautiful, historic Art Deco speakeasy that was built on some of the uppermost floors of the building?? As I understand it, this was destroyed to make way for office space. So sad.

— Posted by JoeBoy

Actually the Cloud Club was demolished not by the current landlord (now Abu Dhabi owns 90 percent), but by maybe four previous owners or more. Best guess, it was demolished in 1971 for economic reasons. This was the time the building was really falling into serious disrepair. Instead of preserving a gem of a landmark, just like the destruction of Pennsylvania Station, they decided to “trash it” for goodness’ sake. There was nothing to protect it, and that’s so unfortunate. “Gone in 60 seconds.” It’s all about the bottom line. How unfortunate!

I have wondered how as this iconic building ages its oddly shaped windows in the scalloped arches are kept waterproofed and functional after decades of punishing weather and changing temperatures.

— Posted by Larry Ray

Due to leaks in the spire, the building has had extensive renovation. However most of the many windows were fine. Restoration of the spire was finished in 2002.

This structure has had serious waterproofing problems over the years. While the SS skin looked great from below, it had it’s fair share of water problems. In the past 10 years, there’s been some serious repairs to the ever-leaking problems. Finally, they’ve got it under control. While the stainless steel crown looked great, it unfortunately leaked. It’s taken a very large and costly effort to get it under control. It should be noted that the SS crown was custom fabricated from two sheet metal shops right inside the building. Every cut of the stainless steel was done by hand and nailed onto the structure, and over time they leaked. Correcting this required a huge undertaking. This masterpiece of design needed serious attention. In the end, it was worth it.

Where did the African marble in the lobby come from? Also, is it true there is a bathroom in the very top of the tower?

— Posted by Don

Much of the slabs are Moroccan rouge flamme marble streamed with white and other colors. They were used to line the walls of the main concourse. The elevator lobbies are framed in amber Mexican onyx, and the floor is tiled in sienna travertine.

Walter Chrysler insisted on having the highest bathroom in the world. He succeeded for six months. Was there a higher bathroom in the Empire State Building? Must have been! So for at least six months, until perhaps the early part of 1931, his throne was the highest in the world. His throne was unseated (pun) after 15 minutes (six months) of fame.

Along with the Empire State Building, these buildings are in my opinion true, realized ideas of what architectural icons are. Buildings that come to be loved over time and through their uniqueness. Whether it be the style, scale, or meaning. I know the times are different and the ideas of what an architectural icon is has changed, but I cannot ignore the feeling I get when I see such buildings compared to the forced symbolic buildings architects try to create today. It becomes more about the big shot’s name than the actual architecture and building itself. These buildings were pure architectural statement on not just the city scale or the country, but on a universal scale for all to see and know. I love this building.

— Posted by Lukas Argyros

The Chrysler Building is unlike any other building in the world. Built and completed in 14 months (1929-1930), it looks like it’s visiting this otherwise uncivilized planet. And unlike the Empire State Building, which is far superior to most boxy buildings of today, the Chrysler is a customized structure. In other words, it was hand fabricated from scratch. The flush windows, the stainless steel crown, the spire, the eagles — these were all fabricated from sheet metal shops on the 65th and 67th floor. While the Empire State is a gem of a building, it nevertheless came together from standard existing stock items taken from catalogs. The Chrysler was sculpted virtually by hand. Most of the rest of the buildings of today are boxes that capitalize on maximizing space in exchange for beauty. The Chrysler at 80 is eons ahead of its peers. It’s still the ruling “king of skyscrapers.”

From what material is the famous facade constructed? How is it maintained?

— Posted by Harvey Kaufman, MD

As it says on one of the original Chrysler Building construction 8×10 negatives in my collection, and on Page 108 in my book, the steel facade is “Constructed of Enduro-KA2 and Rezistal/Stainless Steel.” And that also includes the eight eagles.

What buildings were on the site before construction began on the Chrysler Building? And, yes, is there a tour of the building available?

— Posted by Lyn in PA

A four-story structure built in 1880 and owned by Brooklyn politician and real estate developer William H. Reynolds. Reynolds was a key developer in Lido Beach in Nassau County.
I don’t believe there are any tours. And if there were, what’s left to see up there? Both the observatory and the Cloud Club are long since gone. The lobby and the 32 restored elevators are gorgeous, but that’s about it.

Who currently has the office at the very top of the building with the four windows on each side?

— Posted by Steve

To the best of my knowledge, it was occupied by a dentist. Imagine that at that height, you could feel the structure swaying. Ouch!