How many arch-shaped tiers comprise the Chrysler Building's crown?

How many arch-shaped tiers comprise the Chrysler Building's crown?

• A. Seven
• B. Five
• C. Three
• D. Nine

Answer: (A)

Seven arch-shaped tiers rise to form the Chrysler Building’s crown, giving it that iconic stepped, radiating silhouette. Each tier is an arch that wraps around the tower, with successive arches getting smaller as you move upward, which creates the distinctive crown and a tapered, glowing effect when lit. This seven-tier design is a hallmark of the building’s Art Deco craftsmanship by William Van Alen, and it’s the reason the crown stands out in the skyline. Other counts would not match the frequent descriptions of the crown’s architecture: five or three would understate the ornament, and nine would overstate the height and complexity of the crown.

Seven arch-shaped tiers rise to form the Chrysler Building’s crown, giving it that iconic stepped, radiating silhouette. Each tier is an arch that wraps around the tower, with successive arches getting smaller as you move upward, which creates the distinctive crown and a tapered, glowing effect when lit. This seven-tier design is a hallmark of the building’s Art Deco craftsmanship by William Van Alen, and it’s the reason the crown stands out in the skyline. Other counts would not match the frequent descriptions of the crown’s architecture: five or three would understate the ornament, and nine would overstate the height and complexity of the crown.