Inspired by the 1929 completion of the Chrysler building, the curious souls who ran the New York offices of The Literary Digest were moved to learn more about skyscrapers, both in New York as well as other parts of the U.S.: We were surprised to learn that as of 1929
“50 percent of the buildings in New York from 10 to 20 stories and 60 percent of those over 20 stories are located between 14th and 59th streets.”
“There are 10 buildings in the country taller than 500 feet, and five others are in the course of construction. The highest is the Woolworth building, whose 792 feet has not been surpassed in sixteen years. This mantle of supremacy will pass this year to the Chrysler Building, which will rise 809 feet above the sidewalk…”
The article also presents statistical data concerning the number of tall buildings that could be found throughout the 1920s United States.
