An Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund is in talks to buy the Chrysler Building in a deal that would be worth about $800m, adding to a recent burst of interest in prime New York real estate from foreign groups.

The foray by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council would hand control of a 90 per cent stake in the iconic building to ADIC from Tishman Speyer, the New York developer and property owner, and Prudential Real Estate Investors, according to a person familiar with the situation.