The Chrysler Building was the world's tallest building for a while.
Chrysler Building . At 318.9 m , the structure was the world 's tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931 . It is the tallest brick building in the world , with a steel structure . After the destruction of the World Trade Center , it was again the second-tallest building in New York City until December 2007 , when the spire was raised onto the 1,200-foot ( 365.8 m ) Bank of America Tower , making the Chrysler building the third tallest building in New York .