Chrysler Building Set for Major Restoration and Office Conversion
The Chrysler Building in Midtown Manhattan is set for a major renovation under a lease involving Cooper Union and Tishman Speyer. Plans call for restoring the facade and stainless-steel crown, modernizing building systems, and turning much of the interior into luxury offices and a public amenity floor. The developer is putting $235 million into the restoration.
Commissioned by Walter Chrysler and completed between 1928 and 1930, the 77-story tower once held the world’s tallest-building title for 11 years, until the Empire State Building surpassed it. Its Nirosta stainless-steel crown and automotive-inspired eagle gargoyles remain defining features.
Cooper Union has leased the Midtown East landmark to Tishman Speyer, which plans $235 million in restoration work. The proposal includes modernized elevators, wiring, and air systems, roughly 75 percent of interiors converted to luxury offices, and a 61st-floor public amenity area with lounges, wellness spaces, and terraces.
The project could affect Midtown East office tenants, nearby businesses, transit users, and visitors drawn to the landmark. Converting much of the interior to luxury offices may reinforce the district’s premium commercial character, while the planned public floor could offer broader access to the building. Construction and system upgrades may cause temporary disruption, and lease income may support Cooper Union’s finances. Preservation-minded observers may welcome renewed attention to the crown and facade, though the balance between heritage and commercial use could remain debated.