Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a large mixed-use commercial and cultural complex in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Its original development consists of 14 Art Deco buildings arranged across approximately 22 acres between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, 48th Street and 51st Street. Later additions expanded the complex north of 51st Street and west of Sixth Avenue, bringing the commonly recognized group of buildings to 19. The development is organized around Rockefeller Plaza, a private street and public-facing urban axis, and a sunken central plaza that is associated with the Christmas tree, the Prometheus statue, and the seasonal ice-skating rink. The project was developed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. on land leased from Columbia University. The site had earlier been associated with the Elgin Botanic Garden, established by physician David Hosack in the early nineteenth century, and later became a Columbia University investment property. In the 1920s, the Metropolitan Opera explored building a new opera house on the site. Rockefeller initially supported that concept, but the Opera's financial difficulties and the collapse of its relocation plans led to a broader redevelopment strategy. After the 1929 stock-market crash, Rockefeller and his advisers sought commercial tenants capable of supporting a large private development during the Depression. Radio Corporation of America, National Broadcasting Company, and Radio-Keith-Orpheum became central prospective tenants, shaping the western portion of the project into a communications and entertainment district known as Radio City. The complex also incorporated office buildings, retail space, international-themed commercial buildings, restaurants, public art, underground pedestrian passages, and performance venues. The name Rockefeller Center was adopted in 1931 after Rockefeller's advisers argued that the family name would improve the project's ability to attract tenants. Construction began in 1931, involving the demolition of more than 200 existing buildings and the displacement of thousands of tenants. The first structures opened in 1933, and the original development was substantially completed by 1939, although some individual buildings finished later. The project employed tens of thousands of workers and became one of the largest privately financed construction efforts of the Great Depression era. Radio City Music Hall, the RCA Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the International Building, the Time & Life Building, and the Associated Press Building helped establish the center as a hub for broadcasting, publishing, business, tourism, and entertainment. Rockefeller Center initially faced heavy debt and did not become profitable until the original complex was nearly fully leased. During and after the Second World War, its tenant base and public operations were affected by security measures, international politics, and restrictions on tenants connected with Axis countries. By the 1940s, the complex had become highly sought after by office tenants and visitors. Its observation deck, underground concourse, restaurants, retail stores, art, skating rink, and performance venues made it both a commercial property and a major tourist destination. The complex was designated a New York City landmark in 1985 and a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Columbia University retained ownership of the underlying land until 1985, while control of the buildings and operating interests changed over time. Since 2000, the property has been controlled by Tishman Speyer, which acquired it for $1.85 billion. Today, Rockefeller Center remains a major office, retail, hospitality, broadcasting, entertainment, and tourism destination, best known internationally for its Art Deco architecture, Top of the Rock observation experience, Radio City Music Hall, NBC-related broadcasting history, public art, and annual Christmas tree lighting.

The land occupied by Rockefeller Center has a long history preceding the commercial complex. In 1801, physician David Hosack acquired roughly 20 acres of what was then a largely rural area and established the Elgin Botanic Garden, one of the earliest public botanical gardens in the United States. The garden ceased operation in 1811, and the property eventually came under Columbia University's ownership. Columbia later moved its principal campus to Morningside Heights and retained the Midtown tract as an investment. In the 1920s, the Metropolitan Opera sought a larger and more modern home. Architect Benjamin Wistar Morris and designer Joseph Urban developed plans for a new opera house, and John D. Rockefeller Jr. was persuaded to support the proposal. In 1928, Columbia leased the principal site to Rockefeller for 87 years. The development was initially expected to center on the Opera, but the financial consequences of the 1929 market crash made the proposed building too expensive. The Opera abandoned its relocation plan in December 1929. Rockefeller and his advisers then negotiated with RCA and its affiliated companies NBC and RKO. Their participation shifted the project toward broadcasting, communications, offices, retail, and entertainment. The development was variously called Radio City, Rockefeller City, and Metropolitan Square during planning. Rockefeller's publicity adviser Ivy Lee promoted the name Rockefeller Center, which was formally adopted in December 1931. Architects working under the Associated Architects arrangement included Raymond Hood, Harvey Wiley Corbett, Wallace Harrison, and the firms Corbett, Harrison & MacMurray; Hood, Godley & Fouilhoux; and Reinhard & Hofmeister. Todd, Robertson and Todd handled important planning and development responsibilities. The project required the demolition of 228 buildings and displaced approximately 4,000 tenants. Excavation began on the Sixth Avenue side in July 1931, with construction of Radio City Music Hall and the Center Theatre following later that year. The design responded to New York's 1916 zoning rules, using setbacks to preserve daylight at street level. It also incorporated rooftop gardens, a sunken plaza, a private street, and an underground pedestrian network. Indiana limestone was ordered in exceptional quantities for the façades, helping give the original buildings a consistent architectural identity. The first buildings opened in 1933. Radio City Music Hall opened in December 1932, the RKO Building was completed earlier that year, and the British Empire Building opened in April 1933. The RCA Building's opening was delayed by the dispute over Diego Rivera's Man at the Crossroads mural. Rockefeller Plaza was built in stages from 1933 to 1937, while the Prometheus statue was installed in 1934. The International Complex, built around Fifth Avenue, was intended for international tenants and replaced an earlier retail concept. Rockefeller rejected a proposed German tenancy in 1934 because of the increasingly extremist character of the German government. The underground concourse was completed in 1936, and an ice-skating rink was introduced that year after retail space in the lower plaza performed poorly. The Time & Life Building was completed in 1936, followed by the Associated Press Building in 1938. These tenants broadened the complex's identity from a broadcasting center into a major hub for print media and business. Construction of the original project continued through 1939 and 1940, including buildings associated with Eastern Air Lines and the U.S. Rubber Company. The final ceremonial rivet was installed in November 1939, although one building was not finished until the following year. Rockefeller Center was affected by the Second World War. Leases involving German, Italian, and Japanese tenants were terminated after the United States entered the conflict, and artwork associated with fascist Italy was removed from the Palazzo d'Italia. The Rainbow Room closed to the public from 1943 to 1950. The RCA Building also hosted wartime intelligence activity, including the British Security Co-ordination and an office later used by Allen Dulles. The complex struggled financially during its early years and carried substantial debt, but occupancy rose steadily. By the early 1940s, most of the rentable space was leased, and Rockefeller Center became profitable. Its offices, theaters, restaurants, retail areas, observation facilities, public art, and underground circulation system attracted both businesses and visitors. Ownership arrangements evolved after the Second World War, including the transfer of Rockefeller family interests and the eventual separation of land ownership from operating control. Columbia University owned the underlying land until 1985. The complex received New York City landmark status in 1985 and National Historic Landmark status in 1987. Tishman Speyer acquired the property in 2000 and has controlled it since that transaction. Rockefeller Center remains an active mixed-use destination and a defining example of large-scale private urban development from the Depression era.

• 2000

  Tishman Speyer takes control

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Tishman Speyer acquired the property for $1.85 billion.

• 1987

  Designated a National Historic Landmark

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Rockefeller Center received national historic recognition.

• 1985

  Designated a New York City landmark

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The city granted landmark status to the complex.

• 1939

  Original complex reaches ceremonial completion

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  John D. Rockefeller Jr. installed the final ceremonial rivet for the original development.

• 1936

  Underground concourse and ice rink completed

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The underground pedestrian system was completed, and the lower plaza gained its ice-skating rink.

• 1934

  Prometheus statue installed

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The complex's iconic Paul Manship sculpture was installed in the central plaza.

• 1933

  First buildings open

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The initial buildings opened, including Radio City Music Hall and the British Empire Building.

• 1931

  Construction begins and Rockefeller Center name adopted

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Construction started after plans were revised around RCA-related tenants, and the Rockefeller Center name became official.

• 1929

  Metropolitan Opera relocation plan abandoned

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  The Opera's inability to finance the proposed new building redirected the project toward a commercial and communications complex.

• 1928

  Columbia leases the development site to John D. Rockefeller Jr.

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Columbia University leased the principal tract to Rockefeller for a long-term commercial development project.

• 1801

  Elgin Botanic Garden established

  [1]Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org

  David Hosack established a botanical garden on land that later became the Rockefeller Center site.

A globally recognized Art Deco urban landmark combining premium commercial real estate, entertainment, retail, public art, events, and tourism.

• Commercial real estate · 1933

  Commercial office space

  Office buildings form the core commercial function of Rockefeller Center. The complex historically housed broadcasting companies, publishers, news organizations, airlines, international tenants, and other businesses. Buildings such as 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the Time & Life Building helped establish the site as a major Midtown business address.

• Tourism

  Top of the Rock Observation Deck

  The observation experience associated with 30 Rockefeller Plaza provides visitors with elevated views of Manhattan and the surrounding region. It extends Rockefeller Center's historic role as a visitor destination beyond its office, retail, and entertainment functions.

• Entertainment venue · 1932

  Radio City Music Hall

  Radio City Music Hall is the complex's best-known performance venue and a defining part of its Radio City identity. It was developed as part of the original communications and entertainment district and remains a major venue for concerts, theatrical productions, and large public events.

• Retail and hospitality · 1933

  Retail and dining district

  Rockefeller Center combines street-level stores, restaurants, cafés, and food-oriented destinations with its offices and attractions. These commercial uses support the complex's role as a daily workplace, visitor destination, and public urban environment.

• Seasonal attraction · 1936

  Ice-skating rink

  The rink in the sunken plaza was introduced in 1936 after lower-level retail space failed to meet expectations. It became one of the complex's signature public attractions and an important part of its seasonal identity.

• 1933Annual Christmas tree tradition

  United States

  Rockefeller Center installed its first Christmas tree in the central plaza, creating a recurring seasonal event that became one of the complex's most internationally recognizable public traditions.

  Outcome. Established a continuing annual attraction.

  Source

• 2000

  Transfer control to Tishman SpeyerM&A

  Background

  The complex's ownership and operating arrangements had evolved after Columbia University's ownership of the underlying land ended in 1985.

  Action taken

  Tishman Speyer acquired control of Rockefeller Center for $1.85 billion.

  Aftermath

  Tishman Speyer has remained the controlling owner since the acquisition.

  Acquisition price. $1.85 billion (2000 acquisition)

  Source

• 1936

  Introduce the ice-skating rinkProduct launch

  Background

  Retail space in the lower plaza was not performing well.

  Action taken

  The space was converted into an ice-skating rink.

  Aftermath

  The rink became a signature public attraction and strengthened the complex's tourism and seasonal-event offer.

  Source

• 1934

  Reject a proposed German tenancyStrategy

  Background

  A planned international-themed building included the possibility of German occupancy, but the political direction of Germany had become increasingly extremist.

  Action taken

  Rockefeller rejected the German tenancy and developed the available space as International Building North with other tenants.

  Aftermath

  The International Complex retained its international commercial character without the proposed German occupant.

  Source

• 1929

  Redirect the project from an opera house to a commercial complexStrategy

  Background

  The Metropolitan Opera could not finance the proposed relocation after the 1929 financial crash.

  Action taken

  Rockefeller negotiated with RCA, NBC, and RKO and reshaped the development around offices, broadcasting, entertainment, retail, and international tenants.

  Aftermath

  The revised strategy produced the Rockefeller Center complex and gave its western section the Radio City identity.

  Source

1. 1Rockefeller Centeren.wikipedia.org