Off Shore Muse: February 2024

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The Art Deco Chrysler Building

New York City

The Chrysler Building was designed by architect, William Van Alen. Constrution began on September 19, 1928 and was completed in May of 1930 and opened on May 27 of that year. It has 36 elevators traveling 900 feet per minute. There is over a million feet of office space with 3,800 windows and holds the record for being the first building to surpass 1,000 feet in height at 1,046 feet boasting .. 77 floors!

The building is well known for its distinctive Art Deco architecture with its crown and spire at the top. The architect wanted to not only maintain the visual signature of art deco, but also create striking visuals that would symbolize the Chrysler Corporation, as well. The building was named after one of its original tenants automotive executive, Walter P. Chrysler (1975-1940). He was born in Wamego, Kansas.

Walter P. Chrysler

Walter P. Chrysler's Dining Room in the Chrysler Building's Cloud Club

The competition between the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building was a famous architectural rivalry in New York City during the early 20th century. Both buildings were under construction around the same time in the late 1920s and there was a race to see which building would become the tallest in the world. While the Empire State Building ultimately won the race for the height and is often regarded as the more iconic of the two buildings, the Chrysler Building's distinctive Art Deco design and its role in the height competition have solidified its status as one of New York's architectural gems. Both structures remain belove symbols of the city's skyline and its architectual history.

A significant element of the competition between these two iconic buildings was the addition of the Chrysler Building's stainless steel spire. The spire, which was constructed secretly within the building's framework was unveiled and raised to its full height in 1929. This addition allowed the Chrysler Building to surpass the height of the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building securing its temporary status at the tallest building in the world.

Chrysler Building Elevator

Today the Chrysler Building continues to be used as an office building. It is a very popular tourist attraction site in the Big Apple. Admission is free though tourists are only allowed into the lobby considering the building is used for business.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Trains of the Art Deco Era

The Art Deco era also had a major impact on the train designs. Art Deco was proven to be a timeless and eye-pleasing style significantly represented in movies such as The Great Gatsby and Murder On the Orient Express.

The "Mercury" was a streamlined passenger train which operated in the Midwest between 1936 and 1959. It was designed by the legendary industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss.