Rockefeller Center: honoring a global landmark while creating an icon for the next generation

Where NYC Welcomes the World – The Center of it All

It has long been a chapter in New York’s story; an iconic destination steeped in history and traditions. Built in the 1930’s, the landmark property consists of 9.4 million square feet in 12 Art Deco buildings with unique, internationally recognized architectural features. We take immense pride in the campus – our home – and honor its role as a quintessential New York City landmark and the expression of John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s original vision of a city within a city.


There is no place in our global portfolio quite like Rockefeller Center

Through redevelopment and repositionings, we focus on creating a distinctively engaging sense of place. In 2005 we opened Top of the Rock atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City’s first observation deck in over 30 years. We performed extensive renovations on the Rainbow Room to restore it to its former elegance, the home of the glamorous New York night out. 


The evolution of an experience

The Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting has now become a national phenomenon, with thousands of people traveling to the Center and millions watching around the country. The skating rink in the winter is a much-loved destination and in summer, the Rink brings new dining and entertainment experiences to life. In these ways, Rockefeller Center is a superb expression of our ability to create uniquely engaging places.  

Something special about every moment

But we also look to the future...Tishman Speyer recently embarked on a transformation of the campus on a scale that has not been seen since it was built. We wanted to ensure Rockefeller Center remained the beloved destination it has always been, while also reintroducing Rockefeller Center to a new generation.  Bringing in new energy, while remaining faithful to our timeless legacy of culture, community, commerce and green spaces.


Reimagining an icon

How did we do this? It started with a commitment to placemaking and creating a destination for all, from our office customers to ardent foodies, local New Yorkers to international tourists. There is a curated selection of sensational restaurants, grab-and-go spots, and of-the-moment pop-ups. We also offer a programming slate stacked with the best of New York’s art and entertainment. All together it creates a magical spark at the center of it all.

A one-of-a-kind destination, a true sense of place

On our street and Rink levels, we offer a range of delicious food experiences that showcase the best of New York. There are well-known chefs offering more formal dining like Le Rock from Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson (Frenchette), Jupiter from Clare de Boer (King), and NARO from Junghyun and Ellia Park (Atomix). There are also more casual offerings ranging from JJ Johnson’s Fieldtrip and Danny Meyer's Daily Provisions, to the Queens Night Market where one can try out different cuisines at affordable prices. We find great New York partners and give them a platform to amplify their voice. At the same time we offer our customers and visitors a delightful experience; one that may surprise them and introduce them to new things. 


Offering the best of New York

We have a curatorial approach and bring in operators each of whom contributes to the larger Rock Center campus ecosystem. The Center hosts timeless brands and simultaneously provides space for new names to grow. Whether we are welcoming a famous chef, a first-time brick and mortar store, or a brand partner, we take a personalized approach and invest ourselves in their success. We now have a more diverse collection of operators than there has ever been at the Center before, including a collection of female, black, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Rockefeller Center is New York, reinvented daily. The menu of activations and offerings continues to evolve – always refreshing – creating a true sense of place both for the next generation and for those who return time and time again. 

Expertly curated to enjoy every moment

We have transformed the unused Radio City Music Hall rooftop into a 24,000 square foot park for our customers. We also converted select unused spaces into clubhouses, with offerings from ZO, our customer amenity program.  In addition, we transformed the Rink level, bringing new restaurants, new circulation, and new light to the dynamic spine of the Center. There is no place like this in the world, where community and creativity converge to celebrate the city and global cultures. We continue to breathe fresh energy into the Center, so that our customers and visitors can discover the unexpected each time they join us.


Where NYC Welcomes the World – The Center of it All

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Where NYC Welcomes the World – The Center of it All

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