1930’s Race To Be The World’s

Tallest Building

• From 1913 to 1930, the Woolworth Building was the tallest building in New York City, and the world. This is when the race began.

• The Bank of Manhattan Trust Building was in competition with the Chrysler Building to be the tallest in the world when both were under construction, and upon it’s completion in May 1930, it had won the title. But…

• During the construction of the Chrysler Building, developers clandestinely assembled a stainless steel spire in the building’s crown, and when it was hoisted into place upon completion, the Chrysler Building became the tallest in the world on May 27, 1930. The Bank of Manhattan Trust Building only held the title for about a month (still better than most buildings in history!).

• But when the Chrysler Building was completed, construction of the Empire State Building had already begun. It was completed in April of 1931, at which time it became the world’s tallest building. The Chrysler Building held that title for under a year.

QUITE A THREE YEAR SPAN FOR NYC CONSTRUCTION.