The Great Skyscraper Race: Chrysler Building vs. Empire State Building

In the heart of the Great Depression, New York City became the stage for the most intense size battle in history. This wasn’t just a race of architecture; it was a battle of ego, secret deceptions, and the pursuit of the crown for the world’s tallest building.

If you’ve ever looked at the Manhattan skyline and wondered which of these Art Deco icons truly won the height war, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down the stats, the scandals, and the ‘spire’ that changed everything.

The Tale of the Tape: The Raw Stats

At first glance, the winner seems obvious today. But back in 1930, every foot—and every inch—counted.

Feature	Chrysler Building	Empire State Building
Total Height (Tip)	1,046 ft (319 m)	1,454 ft (443 m)
Roof Height	925 ft (282 m)	1,250 ft (381 m)
Floors	77	102
Year Opened	1930	1931
Architectural Style	Art Deco (Ornate)	Art Deco (Streamlined)

The Deception: How the Chrysler Building “Cheated”

In 1929, the Chrysler Building was in a neck-and-neck race with a building at 40 Wall Street. The architect of the Chrysler, William Van Alen, was obsessed with winning.

When he realized 40 Wall Street was going to be taller, he secretly had a 185-foot spire built inside the building’s fire shaft. Once the rival building was finished, Van Alen shocked the world by hoisting the spire through the roof in just 90 minutes.

The Result: The Chrysler Building became the tallest in the world at 1,046 feet.

The Empire Strikes Back

The Chrysler Building’s victory was short-lived—it lasted only 11 months.

The developers of the Empire State Building saw the Chrysler’s spire and said, “Hold my beer.” They revised their plans multiple times, eventually adding a massive “mooring mast” (originally intended for docking giant blimps/airships) just to ensure they would tower over everyone else.

When the Empire State Building opened in 1931, it didn’t just beat the Chrysler; it crushed it by over 400 feet. It held the title of the world’s tallest building for a record-breaking 40 years.

The Visual Ratio: Who is “Bigger”?

If you stand them side-by-side on SizeBattle.com, here is the breakdown:

• Height Ratio: The Empire State Building is roughly 1.4 times taller than the Chrysler Building.
• The “Spire” Factor: If you removed the Empire State’s antenna and the Chrysler’s secret spire, the Empire State would still win by a massive margin. It has 25 more floors than its rival.

Fun Fact: The Blimp Fail

The Empire State Building added its top 200 feet claiming it was a “docking station” for airships. In reality, the winds were so high that it was impossible to dock. It was widely believed to be a “height hack” just to make sure the Chrysler Building couldn’t catch up.

Final Verdict

• The Style Winner: Most architects call the Chrysler Building the most beautiful skyscraper ever built.
• The Size Winner: The Empire State Building takes the trophy. It’s significantly taller, bulkier, and more iconic in the global “Size Battle.”