The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is currently reviewing proposals from Tishman Speyer to construct new attractions at Top of the Rock, New York City’s historic public observatory at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown, Manhattan. The attractions will debut as “Lunch atop a Skyscraper,” named after an iconic photograph of 11 construction workers seated along a steel crossbeam high above 30 Rockefeller Plaza in 1932.
The main attraction is a small lift that will rise 30 feet above the building’s 70th floor offering visitors breathtaking views of Midtown. Renderings of the lift illustrate a tiered bronze metal riser with a glass-bottom platform for an added thrill factor. A gold and cerulean tiled celestial mosaic will also be installed across the entire floor of the 70th-floor roof deck. To make room for the lift, the project team will remove a decommissioned Doppler radar beacon and four non-functioning mechanical vent hoods.
![[From left to right] Existing Doppler radar beacon and daytime view of proposed lift and mosaic tiles at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) - Tishman Speyer](https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Daytime-view-of-proposed-lift-and-mosaic-tiles-at-Top-of-the-Rock-30-Rockefeller-Plaza-Tishman-Speyer.jpg)
[From left to right] Existing Doppler radar beacon and daytime view of proposed lift and mosaic tiles at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) – Tishman Speyer. Image by @binyanstudios
Proposed roof level mosaic at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) – Tishman Speyer. Image by @binyanstudios
The second component of Lunch atop a Skyscraper will be located on a 69th floor terrace and comprises a trio of crossbeam-shaped lifts with seating for up to seven people each. The lifts will rotate to face away from the building, offering more uninterrupted views of the New York City landscape.
Previous proposals for an observation deck called for a much larger viewing platform spanning almost 1,000 square feet.
Current proposals also call for the installation of a globe-shaped roof-level beacon, updated ceiling lighting and interior storefront modifications on the mezzanine level, an interior lobby wall extension for an expanded ticketing area, and exterior storefront modifications on the ground floor along 50th Street for a new ticketed entry and a pedestrian exit. At the 69th floor, the project team intends to install new access points for the observatory experience.
Evening view of proposed roof level beacon at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) – Tishman Speyer. Image by @binyanstudios
![[From top to bottom] Drawings illustrate previous and current proposals for the new attraction at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) - Tishman Speyer](https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/From-top-to-bottom-Drawings-illustrate-previous-and-current-proposals-for-the-new-attraction-at-Top-of-the-Rock-30-Rockefeller-Plaza-Tishman-Speyer.jpg)
[From top to bottom] Drawings illustrate previous and current proposals for the new attraction at Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza) – Tishman Speyer. Image by @binyanstudios
A public hearing for the project took place on Tuesday, April 26. The LPC has not yet offered an official response to the proposals.
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It’s different, but I don’t mind it too much. The observation tower probably won’t be too visible from the street, so it’s not obnoxious in any way, I think.
Top of the Rock still has the best overall viewing deck, but I suppose now that there are several observation decks trying to grab a very shrunken tourist pool, tricks are all they have left. The top of One Vanderbilt has been ruined by the ugly observation floor.
Looks great, but very small. How many can go at a time, ten people?
Nice Concept.
You don’t have to be the tallest building to be the ‘tallest building’
The globe & mosaic floor are cool but the rising wedding cake looks like a joke.
I wish they would have revealed how the hydroelectric plant is supposed to work. Is it connected to the water inlet for the building? I am not aware of any flowing stream in the area.
Best views of midtown and Central park