Smog and New York skyscrapers, 1950s. Smog obscuring the view of the Chrysler Building (right) from the Empire State Building, New York City, USA. The Chrysler Building (1930, 319 metres) was the world's tallest building for 11 months before being surpassed by the Empire State Building (1931, 443 metres). Photographed on 20 November 1953 by Walter Albertin.