The Chanin Building New York
Centre of an Art Deco Midway
Geoffrey from New York
When you go to see the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, set aside some time to see The Daily News building (220 East 42nd Street, fictional office building/headquarters of The Daily Planet, employer of the mild-mannered Clark Kent) and the Chanin Building (122 East 42nd Street), both within a block or so.
Both are remarkable Art Deco masterpieces. There are few tourists eyeballing Clark Kent's place of work, the lobby of which contains an enormous, rotating, world globe. I think I heard it is the world's largest.
Both buildings are adorned with reliefs that are clearly in the Art Deco style, The Chanin building's are bronze, and in its lobby are some mesmerizing abstracted bronze grills. It's right across 42nd Street from Grand Central.
Nearby, on the corner of 51st and Lexington, is the General Electric Building. Another Art Deco masterpiece, it was originally built to house the RCA enterprise, then a subsidiary of GE. But shortly afterward, RCA moved to Rockefeller Center, leaving this as the GE corporate headquarters building.
On it look for decorations of lightning bolts representing the 'power' of electricity and, in its crown, exuberant tracery work intended to evoke the 'look' of radio waves.
It is always worthwhile to try to gain entrance to the lobbies of these kinds of buildings. It is not always possible, but if you succeed, you may be awed. Remember, these are not knockoffs, they are original statements of American Art Deco design practice.
New York Spotter Geoffrey
Our New York City Guide
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Subway Nostalgia
Vintage subway train excursions
The MTA in NYC offers subway "nostalgia rides" during the summer months on old cars from the '30s and '40s. Book your ticket now!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Teranga
Senegalese food at the Africa Center
"Teranga" in New York City, in the Africa Center, is a restaurant as well as a library. It feels musical and maintains a feeling of communal comfort...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
S&P Lunch
1928 Lunch Counter
S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928, serves Jewish classics like matzoh ball soup and latkes in a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. A must-visit!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Dive 75
Quality trivia contests
"Dive 75" in NYC is a noteworthy sports bar for its Tuesday Night Trivia contests. Clientele is also big on board games, and the beer is relatively cheap!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Professional Baseball
April 4 opener 2025
Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Paris Cinema
Last single screen cinema in NYC
"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Gray's Papaya
Traditional NY hot dogs
"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Revson Fountain
Lincoln center
"Revson Fountain" at the Lincoln Center in NYC is one of the results of the renovation that started in 2006. It's spectacular and a must-see!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Rubenstein Atrium
Lincoln Center free concerts
"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
"A Great Day in Harlem" Site
Historic jazz site
"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
