30 Rockefeller Center is my favourite building in the world and I wanted to start off this article by sharing with you why I love it so much.
My eleven year obsession with the show 30 Rock made me fall in love with 30 Rockefeller Plaza (also known by 30 Rock, hence it's namesake show). It was the building I was most excited to see in New York and when I finally saw it in real life, my legs buckled. It sounds like a dramatic reaction to a piece of architecture, but I'm not the only person that this beautiful art-deco skyscraper has had this effect on. In an article for the New York Post, real estate journalist Steve Cuozzo held the same opinion as I - that 30 Rock is the greatest building in the world.
New York is one of only three cities in the world, (the others being London and Los Angeles) that through the medium of books, films and TV shows, have infiltrated the world's psyches. Like most, I had been in love with New York since watching Friends as a child, yet unlike most, in my 25 years I had never been to America. Therefore most of my time in New York was spent experiencing the weird juxtaposition of knowing more about New York than some New Yorkers, and at the same time knowing absolutely nothing.
This was at it's most evident when trying to find 30 Rock. I knew quite pointless facts (not unusual for me), such as who had commissioned the building of the Rockefeller Centre in 1930 (surprise, surprise...the Rockefellers), and that the Swavorksi Crystal star that tops the famous Christmas tree every year is 3 metres in diameter! Yet none of these facts were helping me locate it.
It was only after I sat down to rest my very sore feet (Rule 123: Do not wear heels when you do not know the exact location of your destination) and ended up talking to a lovely native New Yorker called Ethel, that I was informed that the Rockefeller Centre and the Rockefeller Plaza are two separate things...
The Rockefeller Plaza is actually a complex with a collection of 19 skyscrapers covering 22 ACRES!! This includes 10 Rockefeller Plaza which is home to The Today Show, and 1260 Avenue of the Americas which houses the Radio City Music Hall, and 30 Rockefeller Centre, the home of NBC and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Architecture
nbc
My favourite shows of all time Friends, The Office US, Will and Grace and of course 30 Rock, were all created by the NBC network, as were Parks and Recreation and SNL.
NBC (National Broadcasting Company) has had it's Headquarters and NBC Studios in 30 Rock since 1933.
30 Rock
One of the best shows ever made. Created by the comedic genius Tina Fey and starring herself and Alec Baldwin (swoon), the depiction of the plaza made me "want to go to there". If you do not get that reference then stop right here and go buy this box set right this second:
Here they are filming outside 30 Rockfeller Plaza:
I actually brought my copy of Tina Fey's book 'Bossypants' with me as I sightsaw my way to her old stomping grounds, in the desperate hope that I may meet her. Luckily for both Tina and Alec, they avoided having a run in with a crazy diehard fan, but I actually did see a 30 Rock alumni filming right on the plaza- Jane Krakowski, who played Jenna Maroney, filming for the also hilarious Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt!
Lunchtime Atop A Skyscraper
30 Rockefeller Plaza was where the iconic photo "Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper" was taken during the skyscraper's construction in 1932. It was taken during the construction of the 69th floor and was intended to serve as propaganda for the opening of the building.
The Ice Rink
The Rink At Rockefeller Center is one of the most famous ice rinks in the world! It is set up every winter season - usually it is open from December 16th - April 1st. The 2016 -17 season was it's 80th Anniversary.
The price for an adult during peak season (December 16th - January 1st) is $35, and standard is $25.
The Views - Top of The Rock
The observation deck at the Top of 30 Rock allows members of the public to see views that only most CEO's can see from their offices in the sky.
North View:
South View:
Prices rang from $28-34 then $65 for the VIP package.
Location: Sixth Avenue between 49th and 50th streets