Did you know that the Chrysler Building doesn't own the land it sits on?

In the 1920s, New York City experienced an economic boom that sparked a race to the sky, with skyscrapers springing up across the city, each vying for the title of the world's tallest.

The Chrysler Building was originally going to be the Reynolds Building, a project of real estate developer William Reynolds, most known for designing Dreamland amusement park in Coney Island. Reynolds' goal was to build the tallest building in the world. He rented land on Lexington and 42nd Street from The Cooper Union which had owned the plot since 1902.

*Early drawings of architect William Van Alen’s design - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives*

Side note: The Cooper Union was founded by Peter Cooper who was an inventor and philanthropist, and imagined educating the working class, regardless of race or gender. This resonated with Andrew Carnegie, a huge advocate of free education, so he purchased the plot of land in 1902 and gifted it to the school, who own the land to this day.

*The Cooper Union - Photo: The Cooper Union*

On September 19, 1928, groundbreaking began for the Reynolds Building, but construction soon stalled due to a lack of funding. Walter Chrysler stepped in with an offer to take over the project, and for $2.5 million, Reynolds sold him the plot, lease, building plans, and the services of the architect.

On January 21, 1929 Construction began... the building’s foundation was 69 feet deep! The steel beams for the skeleton were from The Carnegie Steel Company and Walter Chrysler personally financed the construction.

The year construction began on the Chrysler Building, another contender entered the race for the title of "Tallest Building"—the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building at 40 Wall Street. What followed was an intense rivalry, famously dubbed the "Race into the Sky" by the media. When the Chrysler Building extended its planned height to 925 feet, 40 Wall Street quickly countered by increasing its own to 927 feet. It was on!

*The spire being assembled and installed. Photo: NYPL Digital Archives*

In one of the most famous dupes of architectural history, the Chrysler Building got permission for a 125 foot long spire and had it secretly constructed within the building!

On October 23, 1929, one week after the Chrysler Building surpassed the Woolworth Building in height and a day before the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the building’s iconic spire was assembled. In an astonishing feat of engineering, the pieces were raised and riveted into place within 90 minutes, bringing the tower’s height to an impressive 1,046 feet and surpassing 40 Wall Street.

*Looking out from the Pan Am Building - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives*

For 11 months after its completion The Chrysler Building held the title of tallest building in the world and was the first man-made structure to be taller than 1,000 feet. The completion of the Empire State Building marked the end of the Chrysler Building's reign as the tallest structure.

Today, the Chrysler Building is celebrated as an Art Deco masterpiece, an essential part of the New York City skyline's unique charm and character. In my view, every detail of the building—down to its interior signage and typographic design—is a true work of art. And yes, The Cooper Union still owns and leases out the land it sits on for a few bucks.

What's your favorite skyscraper?

The Chrysler Building

The Flatiron Building