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Lights of Rockefeller Center during sunset. Photo by Pedro Lastra. .

Top 10 Amazing Facts about the Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a New York City landmark that truly deserves to be one. It is an enormous complex comprising of  19 high-rise commercial buildings.  The center is spread over 22 acres of land and is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. 

The center has a rich culture and history. Millions of people visit Rockefeller Center every year. The traditions in the center like the Christmas tree and the ice skating on the rink remain widely known worldwide. Let us now look at the top 10 fabulous facts about Rockefeller Center.

1. It is named after John D. Rockefeller Jr.

J.D. Rockefeller. Photo by Bain News Service. .

John D. Rockefeller Jr. developed the center after leasing the land from Columbia University in 1928. The development began in 1930. Rockefeller Jr. was a philanthropist and financier who later on ventured into business.

He was the only son of John D. Rockefeller, the co-founder of Standard Oil. The construction of Rockefeller occurred during the Great Depression. Rockefeller influenced major corporations to rent spaces in the complex hence its exponential growth. He was at the time one of the largest real estate holders in Midtown Manhattan.

2. Rockefeller Center has previously had other names

During the initial stages of planning to build the center, Rockefeller center had other names. It was named Radio City when the Radio Corporation of America ventured to build an entertainment complex.

It was also named the Metropolitan Square since the Metropolitan wanted to set up an opera house in Rockefeller Center. Later on, it was after John D. Rockefeller as a way to promote the center and encourage more tenants.

3. The center has numerous murals and sculptures

Rockefeller Center Architect: Raymond Hood Architectural styles: Modern architecture, Art Deco Location: 5th Ave between 48th Street and 51st Street. Photo by PortableNYCTours.

Over 100 sculptures and mosaics by 39 different artists are found in Rockefeller Center. The center incorporated a program to integrate public art. Lee Lawrie is the sculptor with the greatest number of pieces in the Rockefeller center.

He has a total of twelve pieces. The great statue of Atlas and the conspicuous friezes on the site were created by him.  The Prometheus is the most photographed sculpture. This was created by American sculptor Paul Manship.

It is the main attraction on the lower plaza of Rockefeller Center.  The other precious piece is the lobbles at the buildings which are decorated with majestic murals. This was created by Josep Maria Sert in 1933.

4. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987

Rockefeller Center has first been declared a New York City landmark in 1985. This was because it was recognized as one of the greatest projects of the Great Depression.  

Such actions are done by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to protect the cultural, historical, and architectural aspects of significant buildings and sites in New York City. The American Institute of Architects declared Rockefeller Center the second most significant piece of architecture in America in 1976.

5. The first private owner of the site was David Hosack

David Hosack purchased 20 acres from New York City in 1801. He created a botanical garden called the Elgin Botanic Garden which operated till 1811. The ownership of the land moved to Columbia University in 1823. 

After the campus’s main campus was moved to the Morningside Heights, the Metropolitan looked to establish its opera house in the space. Due to financial constraints, John D. Rockefeller joined the venture financing the company.

Eventually, the Radio Corporation of America came in to build a complex mass media entertainment. This is what is known as Radio City today.

6. Rockefeller Center has gardens on the rooftop

Rockefeller Center rooftop 2 gardens. Photo by David Shankbone.

This was designed by Ralph Hancock and Raymond Hood. The original garden fell apart in 1935 after Raymond Hood’s death. Later on, gardens were reinstalled in parts of the center including the International-themed retail buildings.

The largest garden was the ‘Garden of the Nations’ on the eleventh-floor roof of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The garden was nation-themed with a children’s garden, a shrub-and-vegetable patch, and a modern-style garden. The garden on the 7^th floor of Rockefeller Center remains a major attraction to date.

7. It hosts one of the most famous Ice-Skating Rings in the world

Rockefeller Plaza, New York, United States. Photo by Marc Ruaix. .

The Rockefeller Center skating pond was opened on 25^th December 1936. The skating rink idea was brought forth by a salesman during the Great Depression era. He pitched his idea by skating on the ice at Rockefeller Plaza fountain.

The makeshift rink inspired the construction of the Rockefeller Center Ice-Skating rink. The rink encouraged more shoppers and tourists to explore the center. The idea which was initially temporary became permanent. Many people visit the center during winter to ice-skate.

8. Rockefeller Center puts up a Christmas tree every Christmas

Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree in 2011, Manhattan, NYC. Photo by Daniel Dimitrov.

This tradition began in 1931 during the Great Depression. The construction workers of the center pooled money and bought a 20-foot Christmas tree which they decorated with tin cans and garlands.

It symbolized American persistence in the face of adverse economic times. This was made a yearly tradition in 1933. During World War 2 the trees remained unlit to avoid attracting attention. However, since 1951, the tree has been lit and fully decorated.

Today the tree stands at 70 feet. Millions of people flock the New York City to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree.

9. It was the largest private building project

The Rockefeller Center was the largest private building project seen in the modern days. The construction began on May 17^th, 1930 utilizing the Art Deco style.

It was completed and opened in 1939. Currently, the center has two buildings. A building that was constructed in 1947 and the 14 Art Deco buildings.

10. It hosts the Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall. Photo by Dorff. .

This was a building was completed in 1932. It was then the largest theatre in the world. It can host 6,000 people. The interior of the Hall was declared a New York City Landmark in 1978.