GE Building

The GE Building is a slim gothic skyscraper and the focal point at the beautiful Rockefeller Center. At 850 ft (259 m) with 70 floors, it is the 7th tallest building in New York City, New York and the 30th tallest in the United States. The GE Building was built in 1933 and was originally called the RCA Building. It changed its name after General Electric (GE) acquired RCA in 1986.

Related Topics:
Gothic - Skyscraper - Rockefeller Center - Floor - Building - New York City - New York - United States - RCA - General Electric - 1986

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The GE Building is one of the most famous and recognized skyscrapers in New York. When built, the exterior was a work of art. The vertical detailing of the building's austere Art Deco facade is integrated with a slim, functionally expressive form. Now, the exterior is recognized for the big GE letters on the very top and its famous marquee at the building's entrance often seen on TV shows such as Seinfeld. Unlike most other tall Art-Deco buildings constructed in the 1930's, the GE Building has no spire on its roof.

Related Topics:
Art Deco - TV - Seinfeld

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It is also well known for tenanting NBC Studios and the NBC Headquarters, which is owned by GE. The top floor of the building is an event room and restaurant named the Rainbow Room which was just recently reopened to the public. When under construction in 1932, is where the famous photo Lunchtime atop a skyscraper was taken.

Related Topics:
NBC - Rainbow Room - Construction - 1932 - Lunchtime atop a skyscraper

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Below the GE Building is a shopping concourse. One of the first escalators provided access to the small shopping mall from the lobby. The open lobby was the first of its time and rich materials, reduced black and beige ornamental scheme is enhanced by dramatic lighting. Granite covers the building base to a height of 4 ft (1.2 m), and the shaft has a refined facade of Indiana limestone with aluminum spandrel panels.

Related Topics:
Escalators - Mall - Lobby - Lighting - Granite - Indiana - Limestone - Aluminum

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The observation deck atop the skyscraper is being prepared to reopen to the public by Fall 2005, after it had been closed since 1986 to accommodate for the renovation of the Rainbow Room. The deck will offer sightseerers a bird's eye view of the city, competing with the 86th floor observatory of the Empire State Building.

Related Topics:
Observation deck - Empire State Building

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In 1985 the GE Building was given official landmark status. Some of its nicknames include The Slab and 30 Rock.

Related Topics:
1985 - Landmark

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Its official address is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

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