Rockefeller Center is an incredible experience. You could spend a whole day here and not see it all. The complex is 22 acres and takes up three blocks between Fifth and Sixth Avenues (48th – 51st). At the heart of it is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, once home to RCA, NBC, General Electric, and now Comcast.
Last weekend I finally checked out the view from Top of The Rock. It wasn’t an optimal day due to the dense humidity and lingering smoke from the Canadian wildfires, but it just felt like the right day to do it, so up I went.
The admission prices aren’t too high (lots of competition these days), so I bought an Express Pass (about $90 after tax and fees), which lets you arrive whenever you want and skip the elevator line. I wanted to see the view after dark, and appreciated the freedom from watching the clock.
Atlas, Rockefeller Center
The iconic Atlas at Rockefeller Center is on the 630 Fifth Avenue entrance. Atlas was a Greek Titan who was punished for leading a war against the Olympic gods by being condemned to carry the world on his shoulders as punishment. Atlas is one of Rockefeller Center’s most well known Art Deco icons and has even been featured on U.S. postage stamps. Conceived by Lee Lawrie and modeled by Rene Chambellan.
The land on which Rockefeller Center stands was once a botanical garden, called Elgin Gardens. In 1905 Columbia University gained ownership, and leased it to John Rockefeller for 87 years. He eventually purchased the land for $100 million.
Now known as 30 Rock.
Interestingly, this was supposed to be the home of the Metropolitan Opera House. After funding issues, the idea of building it here was scrapped. John D. Rockefeller Jr. decided to build a mass media entertainment complex, consisting of RCA, NBC and RKO. A blueprint was proposed in 1930 and the RCA Building was completed by 1933.
Prometheus, Rockefeller Center
The Prometheus Statue at Rockefeller Center in New York City is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. Who hasn’t seen a photo of it as the backdrop for ice skaters at the wonderful rink during the holiday season?
Behind him on the granite wall reads “Prometheus, Teacher in Every Art, Brought the Fire That Hath Proved to Mortals a Means to Mighty Ends.”
The incredible Channel Gardens run directly across from Saks Fifth Avenue to Rockefeller Center. They change the theme with the season and are so gorgeous I have to do a separate post just on them.
Rockefeller Center Lobby
The chandelier in the lobby of the 50th St. entrance, which is where they ask you to arrive if you’re visiting Top of The Rock.
Here’s a pic of the main lobby I took a week later. The theme of “new frontiers” is in the artwork all round the building. I’m not crazy about the style, it feels heavy and makes me feel the oppressive parts of modern industry. Welsh artist Sir Frank Brangwyn painted four murals on the southern corridor, all of which symbolize humans’ relationship with spirituality. Rockefeller Center’s managers had asked Brangwyn to omit a depiction of Jesus Christ from one of the panels. He left Jesus in, but stenciled him with his back turned. There’s a message.
I do like the ivory-marble piers, though. Please don’t zoom in on the fellow working the front desk, he gave me the nastiest look when I took this photo.
Views from Top of The Rock
After a quick elevator ride (thank you, Express Pass!) you start at the 67th floor observation deck. Looking north, Central Park is almost lost in the haze. I’m ready for some clear air, how about you?
Some of the tallest buildings, from left to right:
Central Park Tower (2020), 225 W. 57th St.
Curvy One57 (2014), 157 W. 57th St.
Steinway Tower (2020), 111 W. 57th St.
The intriguing 53 W. 53rd (2019), and the blocky Solow Building (1972), 9 W. 57th St.
432 Park Avenue Condominiums (2015). I can never make up my mind how I feel about this building. In 2018 Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez paid $15.3 million on a 3-bedroom condo here.
Looking south to the magnificent Empire State Building, with One Bryant Park at right. I just love the light and shadow of One World Trade all the way down in lower Manhattan. I’m eager for the sun (what little there is today) to set, and to see the city lights turn on.
Leaning to take a shot up W. 49th St. The sun blazes on the Hudson River. At left is the Morgan Stanley building (1990), 1585 Broadway. Poking up on the right is the pointed tip of World Wide Plaza Residence (1989), 309 W. 49th Street, at 8th Ave. I can only imagine how it would look on a clear day, but somehow, looking back at these pics, there is a beauty in this hazy look, too.
If you haven’t made it up to Summit, at One Vanderbilt (2020), it’s a MUST. The views are excellent, and they worked hard to make an exciting multi-media experience, if you’re into that kind of thing. As I took this photo on 07/01/23 I though about the July 4th fireworks party they’d be having in a few days. How I’d love to watch them from Summit! Tickets were $325 each.
The Antennae on Rockefeller Center
My eyes were continuously drawn to the RADOME (radar dome) sphere on top of Top of The Rock. Installed in 1960 as part of the Weather Bureau’s headquarters in Rockefeller Center. The NYC radar was decommissioned in 1995 and the dome was taken over by WNBC-TV and used for Doppler radar. No longer used, it still stands in its original location.
The more I look at the MetLife building, the more I feel it’s gotten respectable. I’d love to see the view from the rooftop. Formerly the Pan Am Building, Metropolitan Life Insurance bought the building in 1981, and sold it in 2005. With 59 stories, it’s got to have a good view of it’s own to share.
Next up is a closeup of the Bank of America Tower, aka 1 Bryant Park, standing out in the muggy sky. It’s 55 stories and opened in 2009. The 300 foot spire gives it the oomph to be the 8th tallest building in NYC. There’s a video here that talks about the concepts that went into it’s design, and has some great views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmkM0q-1Xsw&t=9s
I’ve closely watched the construction on JPMorgan Chase’s 270 Park Avenue supertall, scheduled to be completed in 2025. It’s a very unique design and is going to tower over the surrounding buildings, which are already tall. It will also be the tallest building in NY powered completely by hydroelectric energy. Check out the design:
Artist’s impression of the under-construction 270 Park Avenue, dimensions estimated from structural diagrams and photographs of models released by the NYC Department of Buildings. Photo by Dimitry B./CrossingLights, used under CC BY 2.0 via Wiki.
There’s a great article on it here, if you like construction pics: https://newyorkyimby.com/2022/12/270-park-avenue-soars-past-first-setback-in-midtown-east-manhattan.html
See the lighted building to the lower right of 270 Park in that image above? Here’s a shot of it today:
Looking eastward, The Centrale (2019) 138 E. 50th Street grabs your attention first, but look down, and see the southern end of Roosevelt Island. Pretty cool. Across the East River lies Queens.
Moving up now to the 70th floor, the highest viewing point. I think it’s a nice touch to be able to people watch as well from up here. I enjoy watching others excitement and happiness at having a bird’s eye view of the greatest city in the world.
I need to find a closer and better view of the General Electric Building (1931), 570 Lexington Ave. A Gothic octagonal brick tower, with elaborate Art Deco decorations of lightning bolts showing the power of electricity. It’s very dramatic! The building was designed to blend with the low Byzantine dome of the adjacent St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church on Park Avenue, with the same brick coloring and architectural terracotta decoration.
I included this photo because it shows the railing and what I call the crenellations of 30 Rock. I love the art deco style all over this building. Short for Arts Decoratifs, it’s a combination of rich colors, bold geometry, and decadent detail work. I wouldn’t decorate my home this way, but it helps me feel the way NYC must have in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s when the style was at it’s height.
Here we’re looking at and past another deco beauty, the Empire State Building (1931), 350 Fifth Ave, all the way down to One World Trade (2014), 285 Fulton St. Tribeca and the West Village bake in the heat.
4 Times Square (1999), at 1472 Broadway, with it’s huge spire and can’t miss H&M logo. This is one of those building that, when you’re looking at the skyline you can’t miss it, but you could walk right by it and not know it’s the “H&M building”.
As of 2021, the mast at 4 Times Square is used as a primary site by FM radio stations WBGO, WKCR, WNYE, and WBAI. In addition, the mast has been used as a backup site for FM stations such as WKTU, WNYC, WPAT, WSKQ, WHTZ, WAXQ, WWPR, WLTW, and WCAA.
Views of Hudson Yards
I really like this shot of Hudson Yards, it’s got all the various patterns of the blue glass that makes up the Yards. From left to right:
10 Hudson Yards (2016), 501 W. 30th St.
Spire of The New York Times Building (2007), 620 Eighth Avenue
The Edge (2020), 30 Hudson Yards
50 Hudson Yards (2022)
The Spiral (2023), 66 Hudson Blvd.
How I wish it was a clear day! One and Two Manhattan West. Two was just completed this month. They’ve also added a new walkway, the Moynihan Connector, from these twin buildings to the High Line. I’m checking that out next week. Photos to come!
Nighttime settles over the City
Ah! The Chrysler Building has turned its lights on! Wish the view was unobstructed.
This shot gives you an idea of the multimedia experience that visiting One Vanderbilt is. The lowest floor is filled with floating silver orbs you can toss around. They’re reflective, and it’s so much fun to photograph yourself and your friends with them!
This shot of the Empire State Building lets you see the water on each side of the island. And the lights are coming on!
Peeking around the W.R. Grace Building (1974) at Bryant Park, and my favorite Bank of China building (2016), at 1045 6th Ave, lighting up for the evening.
Pulling back for the wide view. One Vanderbilt, Empire State Building and One Bryant Park are stars of this show, but I could spend hours over the lesser known but lovely buildings nestled below them.
Look over to Jersey City, you can see the lights along the curve of the shore at Liberty State Park, and the funny Colgate sign.
Hudson Yards at dusk. I could stay up here for hours gazing at the skyline.
One of the many changing colors on the spire of One Bryant Park.
One Vanderbilt adds even more color to the darkening sky.
Look at the most exciting city in the world!
I’m amazed at how many lights are on the frame of 270 Park Ave! All the lights of Brooklyn and then Long Island lie beyond.
One last shot of the Empire State Building before I call it a night. Maybe.
Looking southwest the Times Square Ball sends a red glint across my lens. I like it!
Looking north into Central Park. I wish I were a little bit higher, and the sky was a lot more clearer, but I’ve so enjoyed being up here!
They’re doing some construction up here on the observation deck, so not every area is currently open. It means a little crowding, but if you’re going to be in the city and have a chance to come up here it’s definitely worth the price!
I kept this shot in because of the powerful light coming from Times Square. Did you know that Times Square is visible from space? I wonder if the local hotel rooms come with blackout curtains.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Before leaving, I just had to stop back at the rink, which is now Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace, and will be here until October. Tickets start at $22, you can purchase them through the Rockefeller Center website: https://www.rockefellercenter.com/attractions/flippers-roller-skating-rink/
The music felt good, and it was a happy atmosphere.
Even to sit here a while with your favorite beverage is both relaxing and stimulating.
The linear shape of 30 Rockefeller Center must have had such a futuristic look to it when it was built in the 30’s. How I wish I lived back then when I could see all these masterpieces growing up around the city!
Thanks so much for walking with me. I hope you’ll take a moment and tell me your thoughts on what I’ve shared. What would you like to see?
All photos property of DebbieInTheCity, all rights reserved.
5 responses to “Night Views from Rockefeller Center”
“Blinded by the Light”, lol.
Wowww. What an experience for the amount of money! Express Pass is the way to go. To think I was invited many times for a tour of “the NBC” building by EVP-HR of NBC, but had to pass bc of work and home schedules … I’m so grateful to see what I missed. A dream always was to view July 4th fireworks from there.
Even though a foggy day, I love the blend of hazy and sharp night shots you got. The hazy ones remind me of London. But the brights bring to mind Joe Jackson’s MTV video “Stepping Out” with the Chrysler Building gem as a main focus. I think it’s probably my favorite. Probably because no matter what time I was headed home to GCS, its regal lights welcomed me, assuring I’d be back.
The ESB is gorgeous and I really like the JP Morgan funky building design. Admittedly, I find the red giant H&M logo annoying.
No matter what season, what decor, I’ve always loved the 30 Rock gardens. The greenery, water, sculptures … ahh. Loved sitting there with a cold beverage listening to all the tourists, accents, photo taking. The flags, skating rink, all classics.
Around the corner from my cubicle was a huge, huge framed photograph of Atlas. I always thought to myself how he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and imagined him going directly across the street to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I wonder what happened to that photo once GE Corporate was sold.
Love the deco look of 30 Rock and 570 Lex.
Thank you for sharing. Here’s to a starry night visit very soon!
Yes, Rockefeller truly is a “classic” NYC spot. There is so much more to see there than I could put in one post. At some point I will share photos of the sculptures and the Channel garden. Thank you for reading!
BEAUTIFUL final snap!!
Gosh, what an adventure. I love the way that you can see the sky beginning to slowly change over the course of all your photographs. You managed to capture the energy in your pictures very well.
Thank you! It was a silent, slow shift to darkness, really beautiful.