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NYC Rockefeller Center 5
In 1928, John D. Rockefeller envisioned Rockefeller Center as the site of three huge office buildings and an ideally-located opera house. The stock market crash of 1929 forced him to re-evaluate his plans. The opera house backed out of its deal and the whole project was sent into disarray and confusion.
Not to be thwarted, Rockefeller and his lead architect, Raymond Hood, set to work on what was to become the first integrated office complex in the world, combining shops, gardens, restaurants and entertainment.
The first of 14 buildings was completed during the depression era between 1931 and 1940, and provided jobs for over 225,000 people. Thirty Rockefeller Plaza, with its gilded statue of Prometheus at the entrance, was another of the early buildings constructed and is the largest. The famous Radio City Music Hall was added in 1932 and features the famous Rockettes chorus line, a highlight during the Christmas and Easter season. The music hall, which features year-round entertainment from top performers, seats 5,874 people, and is an Art Deco masterpiece.
Another of the magnificent treasures found at Rockefeller Center is the statue of Atlas. Lee Lawrie designed this 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) bronze statue at the entrance to the International Building on Fifth Avenue at West 50th Street. Atlas is just one of twelve Lawrie works that one can view at Rockefeller Center.
Known as much for its outdoor spaces as it is for its indoor areas, Rockefeller Center features an outdoor cafe, the sloping Channel Garden, and a skating rink. Each Christmas season, the world's largest decorated tree sits next to the skating rink. Beneath Rockefeller Center are shops and restaurants. There are upscale shops of all types here, and visitors can purchase anything from Japanese books to Italian leather goods. For special gifts, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store or Agatha, which offers French costume jewelry.
NYC Rockefeller Center 5
In 1928, John D. Rockefeller envisioned Rockefeller Center as the site of three huge office buildings and an ideally-located opera house. The stock market crash of 1929 forced him to re-evaluate his plans. The opera house backed out of its deal and the whole project was sent into disarray and confusion.
Not to be thwarted, Rockefeller and his lead architect, Raymond Hood, set to work on what was to become the first integrated office complex in the world, combining shops, gardens, restaurants and entertainment.
The first of 14 buildings was completed during the depression era between 1931 and 1940, and provided jobs for over 225,000 people. Thirty Rockefeller Plaza, with its gilded statue of Prometheus at the entrance, was another of the early buildings constructed and is the largest. The famous Radio City Music Hall was added in 1932 and features the famous Rockettes chorus line, a highlight during the Christmas and Easter season. The music hall, which features year-round entertainment from top performers, seats 5,874 people, and is an Art Deco masterpiece.
Another of the magnificent treasures found at Rockefeller Center is the statue of Atlas. Lee Lawrie designed this 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) bronze statue at the entrance to the International Building on Fifth Avenue at West 50th Street. Atlas is just one of twelve Lawrie works that one can view at Rockefeller Center.
Known as much for its outdoor spaces as it is for its indoor areas, Rockefeller Center features an outdoor cafe, the sloping Channel Garden, and a skating rink. Each Christmas season, the world's largest decorated tree sits next to the skating rink. Beneath Rockefeller Center are shops and restaurants. There are upscale shops of all types here, and visitors can purchase anything from Japanese books to Italian leather goods. For special gifts, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store or Agatha, which offers French costume jewelry.