Landmarks Preservation Commission October 16, 2012, Designation List No. 461 LP-2505 THE RAINBOW ROOM, located in the eastern section of the 65th floor interior, consisting of the fixtures and interior components of this space, including but not limited to, the walls and ceiling surfaces, floor surfaces, rotating wood dance floor, stairs, stage, seating platforms, glass panel screens, chandeliers, wall sconces, and window frames; 30 Rockefeller Plaza, aka 1240- 1256 Avenue of the Americas, 31-81 West 49th Street, and 30-64 West 50th Street, Manhattan. Built: 1931-34; architects: The Associated Architects, Wallace K. Harrison, lead designer Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 1265, Lot 1069 in part On September 11, 2012 the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation of the Rainbow Room and the proposed designation of the related landmark site. The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with provisions of law. Four people spoke in support of designation, including representatives of the owner, the Landmarks Conservancy, and the Historic Districts Council. There were no speakers in opposition to designation. Summary Since opening on October 3, 1934 the Rainbow Room has been one of New York City’s premier nightspots, an elegant supper club to dine, dance and enjoy incomparable views. Located at the east end of the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, this room is particularly notable because few interiors of this type survive from the early 20th century. The Rainbow Room was designed by the Associated Architects, the architects of Rockefeller Center. Wallace K. Harrison, a member of the firm Corbett Harrison & McMurray, acted as lead architect, working with interior decorator Elena Bachman Schmidt. This double-height space was conceived in the building’s original design as a single volume, without columns. To create the most memorable vistas possible, the 24 window openings are some of the largest in the building. Construction of the Rainbow Room began shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, in early 1934, and was completed by September of that year. The general style is Streamlined Modern, with calculated neo-classical flourishes. Harrison’s scheme was influenced by Joseph Urban, who designed many Manhattan nightclubs, as well as works by the German architect Erich Mendelsohn, which Harrison visited during a 1931 trip to Europe. Guests originally entered the Rainbow Room from the northwest corner, descending wide stairs that lead to a circular dance floor and domed ceiling. The almost square room had a capacity of more than 300 persons and many were seated at tables on tiered platforms located around the perimeter. To give the space additional “radiance,” crystal chandeliers and wall sconces by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. were employed. The Rainbow Room has always generated considerable media attention and has been a fashionable setting for musical and dance performances, private parties, charity balls, scholarship drives and award ceremonies. In addition, during business hours it functioned as the Rockefeller Center Luncheon Club, which drew members from the surrounding office complex. Hugh Hardy, of Hardy Holzmann Pfieffer, supervised a thoughtful renovation in 1987 that preserved many historic features. A rare example of Streamlined Modern design, the Rainbow Room displays many of its original characteristics, making it one of New York City’s most elegant – and elevated – restaurant interiors.

DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS 30 Rockefeller Plaza and Rockefeller Center The Rainbow Room is located on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (a designated New York City Landmark).1 Originally called the RCA Building, this slender 70-story skyscraper fills an entire city block bordered by Rockefeller Plaza, the Avenue of the Americas (aka Sixth Avenue), 49th Street, and 50th Street. In Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza is the tallest, and arguably, most important structure,

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