New York, the big apple, the city that never sleeps, portal to a new world full of promise and hope. Claiming to its name Ellis Island, doorway for immigrants, the Statue of Liberty, beacon for the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free... and of course the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building. *Among others*

But of all the buildings that serve as iconic figures of New York, I have to say that the Chrysler Building holds a strange fascination over me. A delicate beast of brick, steel and stainless steel cladding, it decorates the Manhattan skyline with sunbursts and gleaming gargoyles. Built Between 1921 and 1930, it follows the trend of Art Deco. It's a celebration of the industrialization and the machine age that dawned upon New York in the era. It looks both futuristic and antique, elegant and glamorous. By day a gleaming vision of steel, by night a beacon of glowing lights.

Between the two World Wars the skyscraper frenzy reached it's height, architects pushed themselves and buildings to the limit. The race was on! Glory, fortune and fame awaited if only they could tickle the stars by claiming the worlds tallest building to their name.

Walter Chrysler, founder and head of the Chrysler Motors Corporation wanted a building to showcase the splendor and grandeur of his empire. He found his vision realized in architect William Van Allen.

Van Allen's former partner, H. Craig Severance was a step ahead. His bank tower aimed to become the worlds' tallest building, and mid-construction both architects changed their plans in an attempt to out-do each other. H. Craig Severances' tower was announced at 927 feet, at which point van Allen revealed the ace up his sleeve. the 185 foot mast built inside the building and hoisted through the roof.

The 77 story Chrysler Building at 1,046 feet was finally the worlds highest.

Its' splendor has not subsided over time, a showcase of art deco with its stylized lines and arcs, sleek and modern clash of geometric shapes and patterns. It was even controversial in its materials of choice. The first to use stainless steel on a large exterior surface, it's also strewn with abstract automobiles and gargoyles modeled after Chryslers eagle-head hood ornaments.

Its eccentricities don't stop at that, its 3 story black onyx entrance is striking in and of itself, not to mention the red hues of Moroccan marble that line the walls, ad onyx panel lighting. Proud of the industrial age and its achievements, a showcase of man and machine, extravagance and temperance, even the elevator doors are a sight to behold. Exotic wood inlays decorate its 32 elevators leading to a massive ceiling mural depicting airplanes, an automobile assembly line and the building itself.

Some say its glory was short lived, just a year after claiming to be the finest a man could imagine, and money could buy, along came the Empire Building claiming its place as number one.

These New York Titans have battled for their place as Icons of Manhattan; both crown jewels of its skyline. The sense of inspiration and wonder the Chrysler Building evokes resonates even now, timeless in its design, and as far as sheer visual splendor goes, the Chrysler Building will always be victor in my eyes.