The "Top of the Rock" refers to the observation deck that sits on top of the GE Building, located at Rockefeller Center. Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the location is one of the most popular tourist locations in New York City.
The building was previously known as the RCA building until 1998, when the name was changed. Today, the building is best known for serving as the headquarters of the National Broadcasting Company television network. The building is a total of 850 meters long, and was designed by the famous Art Deco architect Raymond Hood.
The building was previously named to the Radio Corporation of America, which was a subsidiary of General Electric. The building served as the offices of the Rockefeller family, and housed some of the most important business negotiations in American history.
In 1985 the building was finally granted landmark status. At that time, was one of the most famous skyscrapers in the United States, thanks to its unique design. The building has been given several nicknames throughout its history including "The Slab" and "30 Rock", which was the inspiration behind the title of today's situational comedy NBC's "30 Rock".
One of the most famous works in American history, the photograph "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper," was taken from the top of the building when it was under construction in the 1930s. Today it is one of the most recognizable images in the world.
Just below the observation deck on the top floor restaurant is the famous "Rainbow Room." Although the restaurant recently changed ownership and underwent several renovations and changes, has reopened to the public.
Some of the most popular television shows have aired on America's GE Building. Today, The Today Show "is still broadcast from the ground floor of the building, attracting many visitors to the exterior of the building. The show is famous for allowing visitors to peer through their glass windows, while live broadcasts. "The Tonight Show" was filmed in the GE Building during the first year, and their space is now occupied by "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
The view from the "Top of the Rock" is great, and gives tourists a magnificent view of New York City. Because on top of one of the largest skyscrapers in Manhattan, shows visitors all the attractions of a top-down view. There's really nothing like it anywhere else in New York.
The cultural significance of the GE Building and views from the observation deck are well documented. Some of the most prestigious in the world of pop culture icons were filmed inside the building, and even today some of the most popular shows of the nation's live broadcast or film inside the GE Building. As long as NBC used the building as their headquarters, the GE building remains a relevant piece of pop culture in America. Its cultural significance, along with his infamous Art Deco design have made it a must-stop location for many tourists travel to New York.