Every era has its special places, and New York is also adapting to the new millennium. It certainly seems like a turtle if you think of Dubai, which is very popular on the subject, but by leveraging history even the "old Apple" is about to offer new attractions and moments of worship to tourists. What if I told you Top of Rock? Now I'll explain.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has just given the green light for a number of new attractions for the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, known officially as the Comcast Building (formerly the RCA Building and GE Building), is a skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Completed in 1933, the 66-story, 260-foot-tall building was designed in the Art Deco style by Raymond Hood, the principal architect of Rockefeller Center. The building was known for its major tenant, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), from its debut in 1933 until 1988 and then for General Electric until 2015, when it was rebranded for its current owner, Comcast. Among its main "attractions", it also hosts the New York headquarters and studios of the NBC television network.
From today, a few things are changing on "top of Rock": between the 67th and 70th floors of the historic Manhattan building it will be possible to enjoy three brand new experiences: "Lunch atop a Skyscraper", "Skylift" and "Rooftop Beacons”.
Make way for the attractions: packed lunch, indeed, on the beam
'Lunch atop a Skyscraper' will pay homage to the famous (and namesake) photograph, “Lunch atop a Skyscraper”, which shows a group of workers having lunch sitting on a steel beam suspended in the air. In this case the situation will be decidedly safer: of course, visitors will be tied to a mobile beam, raised almost 3 meters (9 feet) and rotated to recreate the scene. At least they won't float in the void, though: just beautiful photos and memories to tell.
Skilift, telescopic roof to climb higher
The rooftop Skylift will extend over 9 meters (30 feet) into the air to provide visitors with panoramic views of New York. According to the Piani di Tishman speyer, the design studio that will create the attractions, the structure will take on a lens shape and the circular observation platform will be enclosed by a glass balustrade. It looks a bit like one of those old radio antennas, doesn't it?
Rooftop Beacon, another planet
The 70th floor of the skyscraper will finally feature the Rooftop Beacons: a globe-shaped lighthouse with orbiting “Rings of Light” and rotating panels made with LEDs and tempered glass. Visitors will also enjoy the stunning, new mosaic floor inspired by the historic iconography of Rockefeller Center.
Without a doubt, when the new Top of the Rock convents open to the public (presumably in late 2022), they will quickly become among the most popular destinations in New York. The Rainbow Room and the “Top of the Rock” observation deck are of significant importance to both visitors and residents of the “city that never sleeps”. For tourists, its attractions are a must-see to capture the grandeur of the city, while for residents, it is a place to reflect on the magnificence of New York and its constant change.
A unique point of view
The Top of the Rock, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of New York. This observation point, located 70 stories high, offers a 360-degree view of the city that never sleeps. From here, you can see Central Park, the Upper East and Upper West Sides, the skyscrapers of 57th Street and Harlem, all the way to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and beyond. Not only that, but Top of the Rock also offers a unique experience: a series of interactive installations that introduce new and emerging New York artists and technologies. These interactive works of art create an opportunity for visitors to leave their mark on the future of Rockefeller Center and share the experience with the online world.
An evolving experience
The Top of the Rock is currently undergoing a renovation, with the addition of exciting new features. Despite ongoing construction, visitors can still enjoy the same fantastic views, although access to specific areas may be limited during construction. Among the new additions coming soon, there will be the Rooftop Beacon: a globe-shaped lighthouse with orbiting “Rings of Light” and rotating panels made with LEDs and tempered glass. Visitors will also be able to admire the new mosaic floor, inspired by the historic iconography of Rockefeller Center.
