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Originally Posted by pianowizard
I actually agree with you on this point. I think Chrysler has a more interesting and elegant design, and also has aged better than the ESB. In terms of "iconic-ness", within the US both buildings are probably more or less equally recognizable. But outside the US, many more people can name the ESB than Chrysler, and I bet the majority of people around the world, including grandmas and grandpas in developing countries, will instantly recognize that the ESB is a NYC building. I doubt we can say that about Chrysler.
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More people around the world will know the Empire State by name, but as far as visible recognition as a New York skyscraper, I think both are equal. Chrysler may even edge out the ESB in that regard.
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Will One Vanderbilt ever be as recognizable as the ESB? It's very tall, big, and uniquely designed, but IMO the fact that it's just one of the many NYC supertalls being built around the same time will prevent it from truly standing out. The ESB was by far the world's tallest building for nearly four decades, and even after it was surpassed in height by the original WTC, many people somehow continued to think the ESB was NYC's tallest building (I am not making this up because I vividly recall having this discussion shortly after the 9/11/2001 attacks). But of course it was again NYC's tallest between 2001 and 2013.
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People generally don't follow skyscrapers, so that's part of the confusion. But One Vanderbilt is designed as the lovechild between the Chrysler and ESB. It will instantly be thrown into that mix of confusion for people who don't know the skyline. Empire State is iconic for many reasons, including as a co-star in the original King Kong. We're talking about nearly a century of stardom. Can Vanderbilt match that. Not likely, especially given that it will be eclipsed by a new tower just a few short blocks away (Chase). Add to that the fact that so many supertalls are going up at the same time, all sharing the spotlight on the new. But I also think because it's so close to an aged and instantly recognizable icon (Chrysler) that it will bathe in that same spotlight becoming among the most photographed or symbolic of New York towers.
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