Rockefeller Center perfectly reflects the ambitions of its creators. If someone is still following the formula of "a home, a tree, a son", here's an example to emulate: build 19 skyscrapers in Manhattan with their own winter gardens and parks, and name them after your heir. Impressive, isn't it?
In short, it was a feat of great effort and ambition. To be fair, in the 1930s, any large-scale construction was challenging, but the Rockefellers went all out to surpass the nearby Empire State Building.
How and Why Rockefeller Center Was Built
The construction of the massive complex was presented as a gift from the Rockefeller family to the American people. Although not immediately, it eventually earned the Rockefellers a positive public image. Already focused on wealth accumulation, Americans saw in the Rockefellers an example of greatness. Consider this: a landmark for the city, millions invested in a noble cause, regional business development, and providing jobs for over 65,000 people during tough times for the country. A commercial superhero.
The complex was erected in 1933 and represented a city within a city. Rockefeller Center covers 9 hectares and consists of 19 buildings, interconnected by galleries and passages. Originally, there were only 14 buildings, with 5 more skyscrapers added after the 1940s.
An interesting story is associated with the building's decoration. The artist Diego Rivera, invited to decorate the walls, created a fresco "Man at the Crossroads" featuring Lenin. Neither the Rockefellers nor the construction managers appreciated the irony, and the fresco was removed.
What's Inside Rockefeller Center
What's there for me if I'm not a businessman? It's easier to say what's not there. Of course, most of the space was allocated for business. In the depressed 1930s, this was a challenge, so for several years, it stood half-empty. But as soon as the economy started to grow, there was no shortage of tenants.
Today, Rockefeller Center houses more than 600 companies, including NBC's studio and the 70-story Radio City Music Hall. Despite being listed as a historic US landmark, it is managed by the private Japanese company Mitsubishi.
For the "average person," the offerings are no less vibrant. In addition to several shopping centers, Rockefeller Center houses restaurants (including the famous Rainbow Room with a view of Manhattan), beauty salons, creative workshops, museums, attractions... Fulfilling all your "wants" and "needs," with entertainment along the way — that's Rockefeller Center.
What to Do at Rockefeller Center
The most exciting attractions are located on the lower tier. A large underground plaza between the towers serves as a tropical café with palm trees in summer and transforms into Manhattan's most popular ice rink in winter. On the eve of Christmas, one of the main Christmas trees in the USA is set up here.
Additionally, there's the Top of the Rock observation deck, which not only outshines the one at the Empire State Building but also offers a view of the Empire State itself. You can enjoy 360-degree views of New York's beauty. The entrance fee is more affordable, the space is larger, and the views are significantly more impressive. The best panoramas of New York's sunsets and dawns can be captured from there.
Genuine gardens and mini-parks with fountains are laid out on the roofs and in the galleries. And for convenient access, there's a 47th-50th Street metro station within the center.
Rockefeller Center is a place where each step on the marble floors takes you through decades of the city's history and culture. It's the heart of Manhattan, pulsating with its own energy and charging every visitor with it. To view the city from the upper floors of this architectural wonder is to see New York from a completely new angle.
Rockefeller Center is one of New York's iconic landmarks. With tours from American Butler, you're sure to explore it thoroughly. Visiting it will turn your trip into a story that you'll enjoy recounting for years to come.
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