This may look like other skyscraper picture, and it is, but there is something interesting going on. The two buildings on either side in the foreground are both older brick buildings. Then, in the mid-ground, an obviously newer skyscraper. In the background is one of the latest and tallest in New York City. They all form a wall of texture with variety.

Using the trusty Google Street View again, I discovered I’m on Vanderbilt Avenue looking north at around 45th Street. That puts me a bit north of Grand Central Station, and on the other side of the Met Life Building I mentioned recently.

The tall building in the background is the new JP Morgan Chase Tower, which was recently completed. When I took this picture last year, they were putting on the finishing touches. At 1,388 feet (423 m) tall, it is the tallest office building by occupied roof height in New York City. The Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower) are technically taller, but their height includes a tall spire at the top.

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