Rockefeller Center, Art Deco building complex in Midtown Manhattan, United States
Rockefeller Center is a building complex in Midtown Manhattan composed of 19 commercial structures spreading across roughly 22 acres. The structures include several towers with Art Deco facades, open-air courtyards, and underground passages that connect shops and restaurants.
Construction of the complex began in the early 1930s as a private project by John D. Rockefeller Jr. that employed thousands during the Great Depression. The site grew in several phases, with additional buildings added over the following decades.
The outdoor skating rink draws crowds in winter months, while street performers and public events animate the plazas throughout the year. Visitors come to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform their routines, or they gather around the large bronze sculptures placed within the arcades.
The main entrance on Fifth Avenue leads directly to the central plazas, while several entry points from surrounding streets provide access to different sections. Visitors can freely explore the public spaces, including the lower levels with shops and dining areas.
The observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza features three levels with no glass barriers on the top platform, allowing visitors to experience the air and sounds of the city directly. The studios within the building produce several television shows, some of which admit audiences.
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