Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a massive complex of 19 commercial buildings in Midtown Manhattan.

It spans the area between 48th Street and 51st Street in New York City. The center is famous for its Art Deco architecture and its many works of art.

Most of the original 14 buildings use this decorative style. The complex features a large sunken square and a private street named Rockefeller Plaza.

People visit the center for its ice-skating rink and the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Building this complex required a massive amount of preparation and demolition. To clear the site, workers had to raze 228 existing buildings.

This process also required the relocation of approximately 4,000 tenants. Construction began in 1931 after the land was leased from Columbia University.

The design followed the 1916 Zoning Resolution for New York City. This rule required setbacks, which are stepped-back exterior walls. These setbacks ensure that more sunlight reaches the streets below. The plan also included rooftop gardens and a recessed central plaza.

The complex is organized into several distinct sections and types of buildings. The Radio City section sits along Sixth Avenue and includes Radio City Music Hall.

This area was built for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and its subsidiaries like NBC. Another section is the International Complex located along Fifth Avenue. This part was designed to house tenants from foreign countries. The original complex also hosted printed media companies and Eastern Air Lines. Later additions include 75 Rockefeller Plaza and four International Style buildings on the west side of Sixth Avenue.

The history of the site began long before the skyscrapers were built. In 1801, a physician named David Hosack purchased twenty acres of rural land.

He opened the Elgin Botanic Garden, which was the first public botanical garden in the country. By 1823, the property became owned by Columbia University. In 1928, the university leased the land to developer John D. Rockefeller Jr. for $3 million per year. Originally, the site was intended to house a new Metropolitan Opera building. However, the Metropolitan Opera could not afford the move after the 1929 stock market crash.

Following the cancellation of the opera plans, Rockefeller negotiated with RCA to build a media complex.

The project was one of the greatest endeavors of the Great Depression era. Construction was a huge undertaking that employed between 40,000 and 60,000 people. The RKO Building was the first structure completed in September 1932.

The RCA Building followed, and the core of the complex was finished by 1939. By 1937, eleven buildings were complete at a total cost exceeding $100 million. John Rockefeller Jr. eventually accepted the name "Rockefeller Center" to attract more tenants.

The scale of the center is reflected in its impressive visitor numbers and economic value. By the fall of 1939, the complex had 26,000 tenants and 125,000 daily visitors.

In that same year, 1.3 million people visited the RCA Building's observation deck. Additionally, 6 million people used the underground shopping mall. Another 7 million people attended performances within the complex. In 2000, Tishman Speyer purchased the property for $1.85 billion. This shows the massive economic significance the center holds in New York City.

Rockefeller Center connects many different fields of culture and industry. It serves as a major hub for both radio and print media. The presence of the Associated Press and Time Inc. expanded its scope beyond just radio.

It also functions as a major cultural destination due to its art and theaters. The complex is officially recognized for its historical importance. It became a New York City designated landmark in 1985. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.