New York City is home to many Art Deco gems. Some of them are hidden; others, like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State, are the opposite. These towers stand out like beacons because of their heightand iconic status. The Chrysler, which turns 85 years old on May 28, is particularly beloved because of its distinct spire. (Which, apparently, is anti-climactic if you illicitly climb to it, but that's neither here nor there.) When it was being built, from 1928 to 1930, it towered over everything else in the neighborhood, especially neighboring Grand Central. It was, in fact, the tallest building in the world for 11 whole months, until the Empire State Building usurped its crown in 1931. Here now, a look back at the Chrysler's glory days, back when it was among the preeminent towers in town and could be seem from pretty much anywhere. Today's 432 Park, perhaps? But still a force in its own right.



· All Chrysler Building coverage [Curbed]