RCA Building

RCA Building is a 70-story Art Deco skyscraper that forms the central and most iconic tower of Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. Constructed between 1931 and 1933, it was developed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. as the headquarters for the Radio Corporation of America and its subsidiary, the National Broadcasting Company. The building is renowned for its architectural grandeur, its role as a hub for American media and commerce, and its famous observation deck, the Top of the Rock.

History

The building's genesis is tied to the ambitious development of Rockefeller Center during the Great Depression, conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr. as a "city within a city." The site was previously occupied by a row of brownstones before being leased from Columbia University. Construction was led by the firm Starrett Brothers and Eken, with groundbreaking in 1931. Its primary anchor tenant was the Radio Corporation of America and its broadcasting arm, NBC, which moved its headquarters from the New York Telephone Company Building. The structure was completed in 1933, becoming an immediate symbol of optimism and modernity during economic hardship. It was later renamed the GE Building in 1988 following the acquisition of RCA by the General Electric Company, before reverting to its original name in 2015.

Architecture

Designed by Raymond Hood as part of the collaborative Associated Architects, the building is a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and Streamline Moderne style. Its massing employs a dramatic setback design, as mandated by the 1916 Zoning Resolution, creating a distinctive vertical profile that culminates in a slender shaft. The exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and features minimalist ornamentation, with prominent vertical lines emphasizing its height. Notable interior spaces include the grand lobby with murals by Jose Maria Sert, and the famed Rainbow Room restaurant and nightclub on the 65th floor. The building's crown was originally designed to serve as a mooring mast for dirigibles, though this function was never realized.

Tenants and significance

For decades, the building served as the global headquarters for the Radio Corporation of America and the heart of the National Broadcasting Company. Key NBC divisions, including NBC News, WNBC, and the production facilities for shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, were housed within. Other significant original tenants included the RCA Victor record label and the Associated Press. Its status as a media nexus made it a central player in the "Golden Age of Radio" and the early decades of American television. The building also houses the renowned Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, broadcast nationwide.

Later use and redevelopment

Following the acquisition of RCA by General Electric in 1986, the building was renamed the GE Building in 1988. GE maintained its headquarters there until relocating to Boston in 2016. A major redevelopment in the late 1990s, led by owners Tishman Speyer, included significant upgrades to the NBC studios and office spaces. In 2015, Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, secured naming rights and restored the original RCA Building name for the tower, while the complex's signage and address remained 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The Top of the Rock observation deck, opened in 2005, became a major tourist attraction rivaling the Empire State Building.

In popular culture

The building's striking silhouette has made it a frequent subject and setting in film and television. It is famously depicted as the headquarters of the fictional NBC network in the series 30 Rock, which is named for its address. The building has appeared in numerous movies, including *King Kong* (1933), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and *Spider-Man* (2002). Its observation deck and plaza are iconic New York backdrops in photography and media, and the building is often featured in establishing shots for New York-based programs. The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting is a staple of American holiday broadcasting.

Category:Skyscrapers in Manhattan Category:Art Deco architecture in New York City Category:Rockefeller Center Category:Radio Corporation of America