Secrets of Rockefeller Center - one of the main symbols of New York

The Rockefeller Center attracts millions of tourists every year. However, not everyone knows the secrets of this huge complex, once conceived as a "city in a city." The publication shares the details Events.

The Rockefeller Center was originally built as a “city within a city” and a huge office center. Of course, many people know the date of its construction, as well as the traditions of this place. However, few are aware of some of the secrets of the New York landmark.

Here are the main secrets of Rockefeller Center:

1. The building was not built the first time.

The original construction plan was awaiting implementation in 1929. However, given the scale of the center, which included a giant hotel and a new opera building, the construction had to be postponed due to the crisis. Metropoliten refused to participate in a new huge project. John Rockefeller had to deal with the project, enlisting only the support of the family. Thanks to such efforts, construction began in 1930.

2. The project has been heavily criticized.

Surprisingly, in the 1930s, the project was severely criticized by experts and the public. Questions caused both the need to create a complex and its aesthetic appearance. For example, the urban planner of his time, Lewis Mumford, strongly opposed the Rockefeller Center. He said: “Planning chaos is impossible. I cannot find a single word to praise at least one of the elements of this building. ” And he was not alone in such statements. True, 10 years later, in the 1940s, he already reasoned differently: "Despite all its shortcomings, the Rockefeller Center has turned into an impressive set of textures and structures."

Today the Rockefeller Center is a real symbol, a huge complex and landmark of the city.

3. There are secret gardens in this enclave.

Another interesting fact about Rockefeller Center is what hides this huge complex. For example, there are real secret gardens right under the very roof of the building. “The hidden oasis is located in the attic gallery, which is part of the building. Thus, if a meeting at the highest level takes place in the building, guests can observe real beauty during serious conversations about business, ”the author noted.

4. Rockefeller Center was once associated with British intelligence.

An interesting story happened to the building in the mid-1930s. Due to the effects of the economic crisis, the Rockefeller Center experienced serious rental problems. Rockefeller himself noted many of the proposals; some businessmen simply could not afford such an expensive rental.

Soon it became known that British intelligence needed a strong and good room. This was due to the expansion of the staff as part of intelligence activities in the German direction.

The owner of the building did not think long and provided three floors in his center.

The public quickly found out about this and for a long time could not believe in such news.

5. The first Christmas tree was installed at the Rockefeller Center.

Millions of tourists and locals during the winter holidays visit the main New Year tree, located near the Rockefeller Center. But few know that for the first time the New Year tree was installed here back in 1931. Many do not know that with its appearance, the Christmas tree marked the end of the Great Depression and the beginning of a new life for every American.

On the subject: 12 Little-Known Facts About America's Most Famous Christmas Tree

Decorated with thousands of lights and expensive toys today, the spruce originally had a completely different look. For the first time in 1931, the builders of the center decorated it with cranberries, paper garlands and tin cans. So they wanted to demonstrate their gratitude for the salary paid (in those days it really was a miracle, given the state of the US economy).

As previously wrote ForumDaily New York:

• Rockfeller Center festively decorated spruce has long been became an unwritten symbol of the Christmas holidays in New York. Earlier we wrote about how the tradition to install a tree appeared here and what happens to it after the winter holidays.
• 87th annual lighting ceremony on the main Christmas tree of New York took place on the evening of December 4, 2019.
• We also wrote about the most elegant streets of the city during the winter holidays, which are definitely worth a visit to plunge into a fairy tale.