The journalist George S. Chappell called the Chrysler's design "distinctly a stunt design, evolved to make the man in the street look up". Douglas Haskell stated that the building "embodies no compelling, organic idea", and alleged that Van Alen had abandoned "some of his best innovations in behalf of stunts and new 'effects'". Others compared the Chrysler Building to "an upended swordfish", or claimed it had a "Little Nemo"-like design. Lewis Mumford, a supporter of the International Style and one of the foremost architectural critics of the United States at the time, despised the building for its "inane romanticism, meaningless voluptuousness, [and] void symbolism". The public also had mixed reviews of the Chrysler Building, as Murchison wrote: "Some think it's a freak; some think it's a stunt." The architectural professor Gail Fenske said that, although the Chrysler Building was criticized as "too theatrical" at the time of its completion, the general public quickly took a liking to "the city's crowning skyscraper".
The journalist George S Chappell called the Chrysler's design "distinctly a stunt design evolved to make the man in the street look up" Douglas Haskell stated that the building "embodies no compelling organic idea" and alleged that Van Alen had abandoned "some of his best innovations in behalf of stunts and new 'effects'" Others compared the Chrysler Building to "an upended swordfish" or claimed it had a "Little Nemo"-like design Lewis Mumford a supporter of the International Style and one of the foremost architectural critics of the United States at the time despised the building for its "inane romanticism meaningless voluptuousness [and] void symbolism" The public also had mixed reviews of the Chrysler Building as Murchison wrote "Some think it's a freak; some think it's a stunt" The architectural professor Gail Fenske said that although the Chrysler Building was criticized as "too theatrical" at the time of its completion the general public quickly took a liking to "the city's crowning skyscraper"