Each country has its own architectural monuments and attractions. In Europe, these are objects that have come down to our days from antiquity or the Middle Ages, for example, the Colosseum in Rome or Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The USA is a young country, but it also has its own attractions, which have gone down in the history of architecture. The Rockefeller Center is included in the register of historical monuments of the country and today it is the most recognizable entertainment and business complex in the world.
History of the construction of the center
The Rockefeller Center, whose construction took place at the height of the Great Depression, was, according to most Americans, a big and expensive adventure. It cost John Davidson Rockefeller Jr. $ 125 million, which at that time was a fabulous sum.
Located on almost 9 hectares of land, it consists of 19 buildings, united by a common infrastructure and is a real city in the city. Construction was carried out in a difficult time for the country and the construction of buildings of such a scale was perceived by many as charity, since more than 40,000 people were provided with work from 1931 to 1940 and could feed their families.
The Rockefeller Center (photo shows the scale of construction) turned Rockefeller into the largest owner of real estate in New York and made a profit of millions of dollars. Today, the largest companies in the country rent offices here, luxury stores occupy the ground floors. Everything in this center is designed so that people working here can also relax, have a good time and make purchases.
Viewpoint
Occupying a significant area, the Rockefeller Center (Manhattan) borders such famous streets as 5th Avenue with its expensive shops, 6th Avenue - the main highway of the island, 47 and 51 streets.
The tallest building of the center has 70 floors and is the second most popular viewing platform (Empire State Building leads, as it is higher). Numerous crowds of tourists come here daily to photograph the sunset or New York.
According to New Yorkers themselves, the Rockefeller Center site is the best place to explore the city, as it offers views of both Central Park and the best skyscrapers. The overview from this building covers 120 quarters, which can be seen from various levels of the observation deck.
The first and second levels are located on 67 - 68 floors and have glazing. This spoils the photos somewhat, as reflections on the glass are clearly visible. On the upper level, the platform is open and represents the top floor of a skyscraper, surrounded by perimeter stucco decoration.
A ticket can be ordered on the Internet for a certain time, so as not to stand in long lines. Especially a lot of tourists come in the evening to capture how the sun sets behind the Hudson.
Famous places in Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center in New York is known worldwide for its many films with its “participation”. On its territory is one of the most popular scenes of America - Radio City Music Hall with 6000 seats, where the most high-profile productions and concerts are held.
Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Elton John and many other celebrities performed in this theater. Performing on this stage is considered a big step in the career of musicians and theater groups.
The Rockefeller Center has been holding exhibitions since its opening. Even during World War II, various social events were held there.
Under the center is an underground "city" of cafes, restaurants and shops. You can get there by elevators, cabins of which are located in the pavilion on the street. The center employs more than 60,000 people, there is a post office, a theater and a cinema, schools, offices of doctors, lawyers, its own square and even a waterfall. This center can be safely called a city, since it contains all the services and service centers necessary for the settlement.
The Rockefeller Center broadcasts the most popular television programs and news. From the earliest days, it has become a popular attraction in New York.
Rockefeller Center in winter
Life in the center subsides only in the dead of night. All year round, residents and visitors come here to relax, but most of all in the winter, when an ice rink is poured on the site of the summer cafe. Around this site are the flags of 159 countries that are part of the UN.
The skating rink is a very popular place in the winter, so it is very crowded here both on ice and in spectator places. An important role in such popularity is played by the country's main tree located here.
Christmas tree
Since 1936, in the center of the Rockefeller complex, they began to put and decorate a Christmas tree annually. She became so popular with newspaper photographs that people from other states came to look at her.
So the tree in this center became the main Christmas tree of the country. About where they bought or cut down the tree for the next Christmas, they write in the newspapers and make reports today. The keen interest of Americans in this tradition attracts thousands of tourists every year to celebrate Christmas at the Rockefeller Center.
Rockefeller Center today
Today the complex is a concentration of offices of the most famous American and foreign companies.
There is a rich “underground” life with its cafes, restaurants and even the metro station. The working atmosphere reigns here during the day, and nightly entertainment is represented by numerous theater and cinema venues.
On the memorial plaque you can read what is written on the Rockefeller Center. This is an architectural project in terms of large-scale urban development, which provided jobs for thousands of people during the Great Depression and was developed by John D. Rockefeller Jr.