Built by Irwin S. Chanin in 1929, this art deco 56-story skyscraper, initially a dominant landmark of the midtown skyline, was soon eclipsed by the Chrysler Building just across 42nd Street at Lexington Avenue. What gives the Chanin Building its identity are the spectacular bronze panels that embrace the base of the building. In this close up, I incongruously compare the stylized floral design on one of those panels to a plant that thrives within an office just above it.