America's Favorite Architecture

This is by far the most beautiful and iconic building in New York post-911. While the Empire State building was in King Kong, it is neither beautiful or iconic. Yes, it was in King Kong, but if you were to look at the New York skyline, could you really pick it out?

I admit, the Chrysler building is my favorite building in NYC, but the Empire State bulding is still a beautiful work of art. It's in the details. I'm sorry, but if you are looking at the NY skyline and cant pick out the Empire State building, you might want to have your eyesight checked.

When thinking of the greatest architect I think of Frank Lloyd Wright, but when I think of my favorite piece of architecture, the first that comes to mind is the Chrysler Bldg. So glad that Wright's little shop on Maiden Lane in San Francisco also made the list.

How did the Chrysler Building rank behind the Empire State Building? Architecturally, the tallest buildings in the U.S. (Empire State, Twin Towers, Sears) have been outdone by their slightly smaller brothers (Chrysler, Hancock)and make this list because of their size, not their beauty.

The Chrysler has so much more pizazz than the Empire State Building. The Chrysler is the good looking popular girl that deserves to be voted homecoming queen next to the dowdy straight A Empire State

I have always thought the Chysler Building one of the most distintive high-rise buildings ever designed. But what I find most interesting about this building is its story. For the most part its design was panned by the critics of its day. Its architect's career never recovered. It reminds me that not only is fashion fleeting but critics are often wrong or certainly not in touch with what the consumers of architecture want.

too bad the silver mirrored offices and the club and observation deck r gone

The Chrysler Building and the Empire States Building are respectively a year and two years younger than I am!! I have always thought of the Chrysler Building as the world's most magnificent sky scraper. Is it my imagination or has Philadelphia and Chicago built modern replicas without capturing the majesty?

Being able to look at both the Empire State & the Chrysler Building from my living room helps me realize what a great city I live in.

Not only is the c\Chrysler Building the most beautiful, its story is very interesting. When it was being built, they hid the upper part, which was, at the last minute, revaeled when jacked up into place. Talk about competitiveness by the architests and owners.

Having never been to New York, I was always curious as to what buiding this is. I've seen it in so many movies and have admired the painstakingly beautiful architecture. Lso, I believe this one has lights at night that makes it just an icon among icons.

In the early 80's I was a NYPD Detective, assigned to the personnel security staff of his Honor the Mayor of NYC Edward I Koch !! he was always pointing out various buildings as we traversed up and down the streets of Manhattan !! this is one of his favorites !! the man really "love's New York" !!

I rememeber being in New York with a friend and walking back from the World Trade Center one summer day. As we were walking uptown, I caught a quick view of the Crysler Building with the sun reflecting off of its pointed top and steel architecture. It was one of the most breath taking sights I had ever seen!

Not only is this one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world, it is one of the most beautiful buildings period. Regardless of height.

The Chrysler Building is the most beautiful skyscraper I have ever seen!

It's a shame to have to compare the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building to each other. Both are magnificent and represent the greatest city equally but in there own way. They each remind us of a wonderful period in architectural history and the end of a glorious building era. Looking at the Chrysler building, one can see the playful ancestor of the post-modern period to come. Looking at the Empire State Building you can see the classic Art Deco waterfall motif in all its simple elegance. Serveral years ago I was sitting at the bar in the Rainbow Room as the sun was setting looking out at the Empire State and the Chrysler building in the golden light and thinking that my New York City was a magnificent wonderland.

this site is sooo boring. i dont know why anyone would make a website about a building. i mean i know this building has some real historical facts, but i find it unnecesary to make a website about it. I have so much respect for historical stuff, but not enough to take the time to make a website about it.

I read Nick St. Amant's comment and I could have written it myself - my sentiments exactly! I am a huge fan of Art Deco and contemporary architecture, and Frank Lloyd Wright is my favorite architect. Yet my #1 most favorite building in the world is the Chrysler Building. It is beautiful, stylish and unique, and is by far the most beautiful sight in the NYC skyline, day or night. It definitely should have ranked higher than the ESB, but I suppose everyone knows the ESB but not everyone is familiar with the Chrysler Building and they just vote for what they know. That would explain why buildings such as the White House and Capitol (and Bellagio and the Dolphin & Swan??? You've got to be kidding me!) ranked so high and some real architectural gems ranked so low, and barely even made the list (such as another one of my personal favorites - the Stahl House at #140.) Maybe this list should be named "The Most Familiar Buildings to People Who Aren't Really Familiar with American Architecture."
-BTW, if "jeremylover" is bored with this site and architecture, why is s/he looking at it?

Does anyone know if the Chrysler Building has an observatory at the top as does the ESB and RCA?

Also, are the top most floors actually used as offices or apartments... or something. What an address that would be.