Which Manhattan skyscraper briefly became the world's tallest when it opened in 1930?

The Chrysler Building briefly became the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1930.

Designed by architect William Van Alen for automobile executive Walter Chrysler, the tower rises 1,046 feet (319 meters) above Midtown Manhattan. Its stainless-steel crown, known as the Nirosta spire, gave it a distinctive Art Deco profile.

The building overtook 40 Wall Street during the race to become the world's tallest. Its height record lasted less than a year, because the Empire State Building surpassed it in 1931.

A common mix-up is that the Chrysler Building's spire was concealed during much of construction, allowing the final height to surprise competitors. The tower remains one of New York's best-known examples of Art Deco architecture.