Rockefeller Apartments

The Rockefeller Apartments form a residential complex with two towers facing one another across West 54th and 55th Streets in Manhattan. The buildings feature distinctive cylindrical bays that project outward, creating a striking architectural element along the street facades.

Construction took place from 1935 to 1936 on land that became available as the nearby Rockefeller Center expanded. The completed complex contained housing for 138 units and achieved full occupancy within months of opening.

The building's name reflects the family's major influence in shaping this neighborhood. Today, the distinctive protruding bays remain visible reminders of how the area embraced modernist design during the Depression era.

The ground floor contains commercial spaces including restaurants and shops that serve the building and the surrounding neighborhood. Residents use separate entrances located on both 54th and 55th Streets for convenient access to their units.

A private garden nestled between the two towers provides residents with a green space in the heart of the city. This hidden outdoor area offers a rare respite from the surrounding urban landscape for those living in the complex.

Inception: 1936

Architects: Wallace Harrison, J. André Fouilhoux

Floors above the ground: 11

GPS coordinates: 40.76195,-73.97654

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23