Rockefeller Center, iconic Observation Deck in New York City.
Manhattan, like all of New York City, looks fantastic from above. Unfortunately, we can’t transform into birds, so the skies are off-limits to us. We’re not X-Men either, so to look at something from above, we have to climb the highest peak in the vicinity.
Skyscrapers on Manhattan
On Manhattan, there is no shortage of peaks. Although they are not majestic mountains, they are nonetheless impressive, famous Manhattan skyscrapers. We recently shared our visit to the well-known Empire State Building and the views from its observation decks.
This time, we decided to ascend to the 70th floor of the tallest building among the 19 skyscrapers of Rockefeller Center. It’s not as high as the ESB, but it offers a view of Central Park with all its attractions. From the top of Rockefeller Center, you can also see the illuminated Times Square on the southern side. Especially in the evening, it looks phenomenal.
Rockefeller Center, a Brief History
Rockefeller Center exemplifies how the American dream was fulfilled in the past. The German Rockefeller family sailed to America, hoping for a better life and new opportunities. Opportunity came first. With the development of the oil industry, unprecedented opportunities arose. John D. Rockefeller, along with several friends, founded a company dealing with the purchase and processing of oil called Standard Oil Co.
They figured out a way to minimize the cost of acquiring the raw material. They began signing contracts directly with oil field owners and processors. Furthermore, they started building their warehouses and transportation hubs. By 1880, more than 90% of America’s oil passed through their hands.
Rockefeller’s Unique Business Approach
John Rockefeller was involved in every aspect of the business. He often spent weeks with workers in oil refineries or on the railroads transporting the finished product. He was very hard-working, inventive, and frugal. Likewise, he frequently said that anyone could be rich if they properly utilized their resources. In those days, petrol was a by-product of oil production, and most producers dumped it into rivers. John was the first to use it as fuel for powering machines.
There are many amusing anecdotes about his business involvement. He was known for meticulously calculating all costs, including those generated during transport. One day, while observing workers loading full canisters onto railway cars, he suddenly stopped everyone and asked why the wooden walls separating the metal containers were so thick.
The boards separating the canisters were over 4 centimetres thick. He had thinner boards brought in and personally conducted tests. It turned out that one-centimetre boards typically broke when the car moved or stopped. However, two-centimetre boards worked perfectly. This change allowed for up to 7% more oil to be loaded onto the car.
He regularly laughed that this earned him a few million dollars.
Additionally, the Rockefeller company paid employees an extra bonus for ideas to reduce production, transport, or storage costs. Because workers earned more than at competing companies in Standard Oil Co., labour strikes, common in America at the time, were almost non-existent.
The Rockefeller Family The World’s Wealthiest
It’s probably due to such engagement that the Rockefeller’s amassed the greatest fortune of all time, and are still considered the richest people in the world. Of course, the entire fortune fragmented, reaching the descendants of the family’s precursor, but the money John Rockefeller accumulated during his lifetime exceeded $650 billion, and no one has surpassed him yet.
Despite their wealth, the Rockefeller’s didn’t forget about less fortunate people and liked to share their money. Over time, the assistance they provided through various foundations and institutions became institutionalized.
Hundreds of aid funds were created to support the development of innovative businesses. They also conducted market research and willingly shared the results.
Rockefeller Center History
In the early 20th century, the entire middle part of Manhattan belonged to Columbia University and not much was happening there. John Rockefeller decided to develop the wasteland and leased land between 48th and 51st Street and Fifth and Sixth Avenue. A project was developed to build several buildings, including a few skyscrapers for offices and flats.
Ultimately, 15 impressive buildings were constructed, most of which are still considered exemplary examples of Art Deco architecture. However, the construction did not go as smoothly as the Rockefeller’s would have liked. The Great Depression and the stock market crash almost derailed the plans.
Nevertheless, John decided to finance the construction himself, despite the withdrawal of shareholders. To this day, the Rockefeller complex is the largest private investment of the modern era.
The only victim of the Great Depression was the long-planned new headquarters for the Metropolitan Opera. All other buildings were constructed almost as planned.
Initially, four buildings were to be leased to German companies expanding into the American market. However, in the late 1930s, John flew to Berlin and saw the Nazi marches. From then on, he ceased all contact with Germany, and after the outbreak of World War II, the buildings intended for lease to Germans were given free of charge to British special forces. It was also here, right after the war, that the first headquarters of the CIA (Secret Intelligence Service) was created.
In the 1960s, four skyscrapers were added to the complex, including one belonging to 21st Century Fox, a well-known film producer and owner of the Fox News channel.
Rockefeller Center Today
For nearly a hundred years, Rockefeller Center has gone through many ups and downs, and like other Manhattan skyscrapers, it has changed hands several times. For a while, the famous buildings were owned by Mitsubishi. Ultimately, however, the monument ended up in the hands of a friend of the Rockefeller’s, who paid almost $2 billion for it.
Today, all the buildings are renovated and doing very well, as are their owners. The most well-known buildings in the complex are One Rockefeller Plaza, 1260 Avenue of the Americas with Radio City Music Hall, and the GE Building, known as 30 Rock, located on Fifth Avenue.
Rockefeller Center and Top of The Rock
The tallest building in the Rockefeller Center complex is the GE Building. It is nearly 260 meters tall, making it the 8th tallest building in New York and the 30th tallest in the United States. The famous Top of The Rock is located on its roof, to which we are taking the lift from the beginning of this article.
The flat roof, which is a rarity among Manhattan skyscrapers, provides a 360-degree view of the entire island, including the already mentioned Empire State Building.
Some say the view from Top of The Rock is the most beautiful in the city. I would argue with this, as I liked the top of the Empire State Building very much. Nevertheless, the panorama takes your breath away. Especially on the north side, where you can see Central Park. If you come here just before sunset, you will never forget it.
The building has 60 elevators taking tourists up and down. Despite this, you have to wait in line, as there is no shortage of interested visitors. The GE Building is one of Manhattan’s most recognizable skyscrapers, making it quite popular among New York visitors despite the relatively expensive tickets.
Enjoying the City from Above Isn’t Cheap
The pleasure of looking at the city from above costs $38. Children pay only a few dollars less. There is also a VIP option, allowing you to use a special lift and skip the lines below, but the cost of such a ticket is $75. Additionally, you can purchase the Rockefeller Center Tour and visit the most famous places in the complex for $25.
The building houses the most famous TV stations. If you watch NBC, most of the programming is broadcast from here. Before entering the lift, I recommend wandering around the 3rd floor, which houses an exhibition dedicated to the building and the entire Rockefeller Center.
I highly recommend visiting the 70th floor of the GE Building. You can learn a piece of American history and rub shoulders with really wealthy people and their fulfilled dreams.
Practical Information Related to Rockefeller Center
- The complex is located between 48th and 51st Street and Fifth and Sixth Avenue.
- Ticket prices and visit dates should be arranged on the official website of the New York attraction.
- It is worth planning a visit to the observation deck before dusk; the sunset significantly enhances the experience of viewing the city.
Interesting Facts About Rockefeller Center and Top of The Rock
- In 1987, Rockefeller Center was named a National Historic Landmark.
- Rockefeller Center is the largest private building complex in the world, covering nearly 90,000 square meters.
- The Radio City Music Hall building is one of the largest and most luxurious theatres in the world. Despite having 6,000 seats, it is often full. It is a place typically seen on television during major artistic events. This is where the premieres of major film and stage hits are held. The biggest stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Madonna, have performed here.
- In the GE Building, where the Top of The Rock observation deck is located, there is a luxury restaurant where the most distinguished and wealthy people from around the world meet.
- In the square between the buildings in front of 30 Rock, there is a place called Lower Plaza. This is where the world’s most famous Christmas tree is set up. The first lighting of the lights is broadcast worldwide.
- Since 1964, the lights on the tree have always been turned on by a famous personality.
- Currently, the tree is lit by 45,000 lights strung on 8 kilometres of cable. The energy to power them comes from solar panels installed on the roofs of nearby buildings.
- Next to the large Christmas tree at Lower Plaza, an ice rink is opened annually. It has been operating continuously since 1936 and, like the Christmas tree, is a building tradition.
- The complex’s underground houses a large shopping passage and a subway station under Sixth Avenue.
- Rockefeller Center is adorned with tall masts flying the flags of countries belonging to the UN.
- The Rockefeller’s have had their offices in the complex since its inception. In the tallest building, 30 Rock, there is the famous Room 5600. This is actually a three-story flat spanning the 54th to the 56th floors.
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