Despite the Great Depression , some of the world 's tallest skyscrapers of the time were built in Manhattan during the 1930s , including many Art Deco masterpieces that are still part of the city 's skyline today . The most well-known structures are Empire State Building , the Chrysler Building , and the GE Building . Despite the Great Depression , some of the world 's tallest skyscrapers were completed in Manhattan during the 1930s , including numerous Art Deco masterpieces that are still part of the city 's skyline today , most notably the Empire State Building , the Chrysler Building , and the GE Building .