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NYC greenlights 30 Rock's new 'Skylift' tourist attraction

2022-04-29T18:39:00-04:00

One of the world’s most recognizable addresses is about to get a new look after New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) granted full approval to a plan that would transform the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza into Midtown’s latest tourist destination.

The first of the new Top of the Rock attractions proposed by the building’s operator Tishman Speyer is the experiential 69th-floor “Lunch atop a Skyscraper” ride that allows visitors to experience 'a day on the job' of a typical period construction crew based on the iconic 1932 photograph by Charles C. Ebbets.

Image courtesy Tishman Speyer

"Lunch atop a Skyscraper" by Charles C. Ebbets, 1932.

The next floor will feature the “Skylift” observation deck with panoramic views of the city punctuated by a glowing kinetic globe that’s programmed to change colors with the arrival of each new visitor.

Additionally, the ground floor and mezzanine level will be transformed to allow for improved visitor circulation through the ticketing ...

See the new observation deck and rooftop ride proposed for 30 Rock

2021-09-13T20:47:00-04:00

One of the city’s most popular observation decks could be getting a facelift. Tishman Speyer Properties has proposed several enhancements to the Top of the Rock deck at landmarked 30 Rockefeller Plaza, including a rotating attraction that lets visitors recreate the iconic “Lunch atop a Skyscraper” photo, a kinetic globe, and a new viewing platform on the 70th floor. The proposal was recommended for approval by Manhattan Community Board 5 last week and will be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday.

"Lunch atop a Skyscraper" experience. Rendering: Tishman Speyer

During last month’s community board meeting on landmarks, EB Kelly, the managing director at Tishman Speyer overseeing Rockefeller Center, called the proposal a “collection of enhancements” to the Top of the Rock experience that “lean into the history and magic of this special place.”

“With these changes, we’re looking to tell the story of Rockefeller Center in a new way that will bring people back to discove...

Rockefeller Center's sunken plaza could receive substantial renovations

2020-01-20T15:40:00-05:00

Architects Gabellini Sheppard Associates and developers Tishman Speyer have unveiled a series of substantial changes for the outdoor public realm areas associated with the Rockefeller Center complex in New York City.

The proposal, presented to the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission last week, aims to improve pedestrian circulation and visibility throughout the iconic sunken plaza and surrounding areas by adding new stair configurations, upgrading the storefronts that currently line the plaza with a ribbon of operable doors, relocating several statues, and repaving the terraces overlooking the sunken court to make them more wheelchair accessible.

View of 30 Rockefeller Center, designed by Raymond Hood. Image courtesy of Wikimedia user David Shankbone.

The 19-building Rockefeller Center complex was originally designed in the 1930s by architect Raymond Hood, the designer behind the Chicago Tribune Tower and other notable early 20th Century skyscrapers. The complex was built in p...

Daniel Libeskind gets to design the new Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Star

2018-05-17T14:02:00-04:00

Many big-name architects enjoy dabbling in product design and use their brand recognition to sell chairs, tableware, shoes, and anything in-between—but getting to design the new star topping the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City is one of the rarer commissions. Daniel Libeskind was just tapped by Swarovski to create a replacement for the current star the crystal company had first unveiled in 2004.

Daniel Libeskind and Nadja Swarovski. Image courtesy of Swarovski.

While designs for the new tree topper aren't available yet, an initial release announced a three-dimensional structure "radiant with light," inspired by the cosmos, and exemplifying Libeskind's trademark dramatic architectural lines.

"The new Swarovski Star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is inspired by the beauty of starlight–something that radiates meaning and mystery into the world," Libeskind hinted at his inspiration. "The Star is a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions for hope, unity...

Bye-bye 30 Rock. Hello Comcast Building.

2015-07-07T13:23:00-04:00

Manhattan’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the focal point of Rockefeller Center and home to the NBC television network, has changed its name to the Comcast Building. Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal will illuminate a sign with the new name and NBC logo atop the 850-foot (259-meter) building [...]. Comcast Building is the third official name for the landmark property, completed in 1933.