Editing Rockefeller Center (section)

===1990s to present===
{{plain image with caption|Rockefeller Center logo.svg|Official logo of Rockefeller Center}}

The Rockefeller Group filed for bankruptcy protection in May 1995 after missing several mortgage payments.<ref name="p398480359">{{cite news |last1=Pacelle |first1=Mitchell |last2=Lipin |first2=Steven |date=May 12, 1995 |title=Japanese owner seeks court protection for Manhattan's Rockefeller Center |page=A3 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398480359}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1995-05-12">{{Cite news |last=Hansell |first=Saul |date=May 12, 1995 |title=For the Rockefellers, a Deal Falls Short Only by Inches |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/12/business/for-the-rockefellers-a-deal-falls-short-only-by-inches.html |access-date=March 11, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> That November, John Rockefeller Jr.'s son [[David Rockefeller|David]] and a consortium led by [[Goldman Sachs]] agreed to buy Rockefeller Center's buildings for $1.1 billion,<ref name="n97393958">{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Peter |date=November 8, 1995 |title=Rock Ctr. stays in family |pages=42, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97394035/ 43] |work=Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97393958/rock-ctrpeter-grant/ |access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> beating out [[Sam Zell]] and other bidders.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Peter |date=March 22, 1996 |title=Zell's Rock bid crumbles |page=671 |work=Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97393934/zells-rock-bid-crumblespeter-grant/ |access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> The consortium, which also included [[Gianni Agnelli]] and [[Stavros Niarchos]], finalized its acquisition in July 1996.<ref name=memoirs/> Before the sale was even completed, the consortium sold {{convert|1,600,000|ft2|m2}} of space in 30 Rockefeller Plaza to NBC, who had rented that space in the tower since the beginning.<ref name=NYTimes-NBC-Space-1996>{{cite web |last=Deutsch |first=Claudia H. |title=NBC Will Buy Rockefeller Center Space |website=The New York Times |date=May 4, 1996 |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/04/business/nbc-will-buy-rockefeller-center-space.html |access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> A preservation dispute arose in May 1998, when the owners announced plans to enlarge shop windows on the center's Fifth Avenue buildings to two stories.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 579">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|p=579}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=May 6, 1998 |title=Preservationists Criticize Rockefeller Center Renovation Plan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/06/nyregion/preservationists-criticize-rockefeller-center-renovation-plan.html |access-date=February 14, 2022}}</ref> These windows were reduced in size upon the LPC's request,<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 580">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|p=580}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=David W. |date=July 1, 1998 |title=Concerns on Rockefeller Center Plans |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/nyregion/concerns-on-rockefeller-center-plans.html |access-date=February 14, 2022}}</ref> and the modifications were approved in September 1998.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 580"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Monte |date=September 16, 1998 |title=Rockefeller Center Plans Approved |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/16/nyregion/rockefeller-center-plans-approved.html |access-date=February 14, 2022}}</ref> Due to the decline of the newsreel theater industry, the Guild was shuttered in late 1999 after Tishman Speyer decided not to renew its lease.<ref name=NYTimes-Closes-Theater-1999>{{cite web |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |title=Rockefeller Center Quietly Closes Theater |website=The New York Times |date=October 19, 1999 |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/19/nyregion/rockefeller-center-quietly-closes-theater.html |access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref>

[[Tishman Speyer]], led by David Rockefeller's close friend [[Jerry Speyer]] and the [[Lester Crown|Lester Crown family]] of Chicago, bought the original 14 buildings and land in 2000 for $1.85 billion.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 578"/><ref name=memoirs>{{harvnb|ps=.|Rockefeller|2002| page=479}}</ref><ref name="Bagli 2000">{{cite web |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |title=Era Closes at Rockefeller Center With $1.85 Billion Deal on Sale |website=The New York Times |date=December 22, 2000 |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/22/nyregion/era-closes-at-rockefeller-center-with-1.85-billion-deal-on-sale.html |access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> With the sale, the Rockefeller family gave up its remaining interest in Rockefeller Center's operation.<ref name="Bagli 2000"/> Tishman Speyer also decided to renovate the complex's retail spaces and underground concourse.<ref name="Collins 1999"/> The Rainbow Room closed in 2009<ref>{{cite web |last=Dominus |first=Susan |title=Big City – Rockefeller Center Club Follows Rainbow Room in Closing |work=The New York Times |date=June 20, 2009 |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/nyregion/20bigcity.html |access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> in preparation for an extensive renovation that started in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marx |first=Rebecca |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2011/07/rainbow_room_ge.php |title=Somebody Is Finally Paying Attention to the Rainbow Room – New York Restaurants and Dining – Fork in the Road |publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com |date=July 11, 2011 |access-date=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706232437/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2011/07/rainbow_room_ge.php |archive-date=July 6, 2012}}</ref> The restaurant reopened in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/rainbow-room-reopens-top-30-rockefeller-plaza-article-1.1964362 |title=Rainbow Room reopens at top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza after five years |access-date=December 10, 2017 |date=October 5, 2014 |agency=Associated Press |location=New York}}</ref> The Rockefeller family moved out of their offices in the GE Building in 2014 due to rising rents. They re-settled in less expensive offices on 49th Street, near their old headquarters.<ref name="Roberts 2014">{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Sam |title=Why Are Rockefellers Moving From 30 Rock? 'We Got a Deal' |website=The New York Times |date=November 24, 2014 |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/nyregion/why-are-rockefellers-moving-from-30-rock-we-got-a-deal.html |access-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref> The next year, in July 2015, the GE Building was renamed after [[Comcast]], the parent company of [[NBCUniversal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=30 Rock officially renamed Comcast Building |website=am New York |date=July 1, 2015 |url=https://www.amny.com/news/30-rock-officially-renamed-comcast-building-with-corporate-sign-to-light-up-wednesday-1.10600082 |access-date=December 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/comcast-building-30-rock-nbc-peacock-311241431.html |title=30 Rock Officially Renamed Comcast Building; NBC Peacock Lights Up NYC Skyline for First Time in History |publisher=NBCUniversal Media LLC |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> [[Future Green]] installed temporary artwork in the Channel Gardens in 2019 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of David Hosack's birth.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ochs |first1=Caitlin |last2=Libbey |first2=Peter |date=May 5, 2019 |title=Rockefeller Center Digs Up Its Bucolic Roots |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/05/arts/rockefeller-gardens.html |access-date=February 26, 2022}}</ref>

In January 2020, Tishman Speyer hired Gabellini Sheppard Associates to design a renovation for Channel Gardens, Rockefeller Plaza, and the Lower Plaza. These plans included modifications to lighting, planting, pathways, and facades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Sebastian |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Tishman Speyer and Gabellini Sheppard Associates Reimagine Rockefeller Plaza |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/01/tishman-speyer-and-gabellini-sheppard-associates-reimagine-rockefeller-plaza.html |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Ricciulli 2020">{{cite web |last=Ricciulli |first=Valeria |title=Rockefeller Center's public plaza could get a major revamp |website=Curbed NY |date=January 15, 2020 |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2020/1/15/21065977/rockefeller-center-nyc-renovation-landmarks-preservation-commission |access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref> The plans were approved that April.<ref name="Gannon 2020">{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |title=Rockefeller Center revamp gets Landmarks approval |website=6sqft |date=April 28, 2020 |url=https://www.6sqft.com/rockefeller-center-revamp-gets-landmarks-approval/ |access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref> Gabellini Sheppard also proposed renovating the International Building's lobby.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Sebastian |date=June 22, 2020 |title=Gabellini Sheppard Associates Reveals Next Phase of Renovations At 45 Rockefeller Plaza In Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/06/gabellini-sheppard-associates-reveal-next-phase-of-renovations-at-45-rockefeller-plaza-in-midtown-manhattan.html |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=New York YIMBY |language=en-US}}</ref> A rooftop garden above Radio City Music Hall opened in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Radio Park, an Idyllic Rooftop Garden, Opens Above Radio City Music Hall |website=Rockefeller Center |url=https://www.rockefellercenter.com/magazine/arts-culture/radio-park-an-idyllic-rooftop-garden-opens-above-radio-city-music-hall/ |first=Emily |last=Sokolow |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref> Starting in 2022, a roller rink called [[Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace]] was set up in the Lower Plaza from April to October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yakas |first=Ben |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Get ready to boogie oogie oogie at Rockefeller Center's new roller rink |url=https://gothamist.com/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Gothamist |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blasberg |first=Derek |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Rockefeller Center's Iconic Rink Flips to a Super-Luxe Roller-Skating Venue This Summer |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rockefeller-center-roller-skating-11647346373 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In addition, 19 eateries opened within Rockefeller Center during the early 2020s, including 12 [[sit-down restaurant]]s.<ref name=nyt-2022-12-12>{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Pete |date=December 12, 2022 |title=Rockefeller Center Is the New York Restaurant Event of the Year |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/dining/rockefeller-center-restaurants.html |access-date=December 13, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In April 2023, Tishman Speyer proposed renovating ten of 10 Rockefeller Plaza's upper stories into a 130-room hotel.<ref name="wsj-2023-04-17">{{Cite news |last=King |first=Kate |date=2023-04-17 |title=Rockefeller Center Strikes Deal for Luxury Hotel by Aspen Hospitality |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rockefeller-center-strikes-deal-for-luxury-hotel-by-aspen-hospitality-group-432029fe |access-date=2023-06-16 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name="Rebong 2023">{{cite web |last=Rebong |first=Kevin |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Tishman Speyer Eyeing Luxury Hotel at Rockefeller Center |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/04/17/tishman-speyer-eyes-luxury-hotel-at-rockefeller-center/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> At the time, 93 percent of the complex's office space was leased, but the offices were largely empty during workdays.<ref name="Rebong 2023"/> An event venue named Hero opened at Rockefeller Center that November.<ref name="Rahmanan 2023 c374">{{cite web |last=Rahmanan |first=Anna |title=Look inside the new immersive exhibition space under Rockefeller Center |website=Time Out New York |date=November 3, 2023 |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/look-inside-the-new-immersive-exhibition-space-under-rockefeller-center-110323 |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref> The Rockefeller Group also renovated the complex in the mid-2020s, adding restaurants and stores,<ref>{{cite news |title=Rockefeller Center Reinvention Aims to Buck Midtown Malaise |url=https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/rockefeller-center-reinvention-aims-to-buck-midtown-malaise-64b986b8 |first=Kate |last=King |date=Aug 20, 2024 |access-date=Aug 20, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> and Tishman Speyer refinanced Rockefeller Center in October 2024 with a $3.5 billion loan.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tishman snags $3.5B refi for Rockefeller Center | website=The Real Deal | date=October 21, 2024 | url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2024/10/21/tishman-snags-3-5b-refi-for-rockefeller-center/ | access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Elstein | first=Aaron | title=Rockefeller Center nears $3.5B refinancing at a steep price | website=Crain&#039;s New York Business | date=October 16, 2024 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/rockefeller-center-close-massive-mortgage-refinancing | access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>