October 12, 2005
New Rockefeller Center roof decks offer a 360 of NYC
When Rockefeller Center next month reopens its observation decks for the first time in two decades, visitors will get access to a nearly 360-degree panorama of New York, timed entry passes to eliminate lines, a look at the world's largest crystal chandelier, and possibly the city's best view of the Empire State Building.
Designed in the 1930s to evoke the look and feel of an ocean liner in the sky, the original art deco ornamentation has been preserved, including massive cast aluminum fleur-de-lis atop the skyscraper.
The 69th- and 70th-floor roof decks were originally open to the public when the building opened in 1933, but were closed after operators of The Rainbow Room decided in 1985 to expand the restaurant.
Beginning Nov. 1, the public will be allowed back on the observation decks of the building's top three floors. Visitors can purchase timed-entry tickets online, which will all but eliminate the need to wait in a line at Rockefeller Center. Walk-up tickets will also be available everyday at the 50th Street entrance.
 Once ticketed, visitors can walk up three flights of a new spiral staircase built around the new Swarovski chandelier. The history of Rockefeller Center is detailed on the mezzanine level through multimedia exhibits. A large scale model of Rockefeller Center, previously housed at the Museum of the City of New York, will be on display. Kids can walk across a steel beam (safely surrounded by Plexiglas,) and look down at a streaming video of a construction site.
Once guests head to the express elevators, they'll leave all the history lessons behind. "When you get to the top, it’s all about the view," said Peter Dillon, director of marketing for Tishman Speyer, the building's co-owner.
The view is indeed spectacular, with Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building prominent to the south. On the east side there's the Chrysler building and Times Square in the west side. On clear days, the view extends 80 miles.
The observation decks are 20 feet wide, compared with the 8-foot-width of the observation deck at the Empire State Building, Dillon said. New telescopes have been installed on the 69th floor, and a small gift shop will open, but the original deck chairs have been removed. There is no seating on the top floors, but visitors are allowed to linger as long as they like. (But the building closes at midnight with the last elevator heading up at 11:30 p.m.)
The introductory price of $14 for adults is good through March 31; after that it rises to $17.50. Tickets can be purchased online. The entrance to Top of the Rock is located on W. 50th Street, between 5th and 6th avenues.
Earlier: Rockefeller Center observation decks to open Nov. 1
Rockefeller Center to reopen 70th-floor roof deck
October 12, 2005 10:38 AM in History, Kids, Midtown, Romance, Sightsology
Comments (0)
®Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved
|
