For just 4 hours, as part of OHNY (Open House New York), the rooftop garden atop the British Empire Building at Rockefeller Center was open to the public. This private garden is rarely accessible and a detailed online search returns very little information about it. According to the Rockefeller Center website: "Originally, the architects envisioned an even more elaborate network of roof gardens to be connected by aerial pedestrian bridges, which they compared to the hanging gardens of ancient Babylon." At this point in time, the garden primarily functions as eye candy to those in buildings nearby who are fortunate enough to have views of the hedges, wildflowers, fountains, lawns, pools and beautiful walkways. The rooftop overlooks Fifth Ave., St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, so of course the views are spectacular - click here for more photos. I feel fortunate to have visited, as I am sure all the other visitors were. In a post 9/11 world, seeing special places in NYC is becoming more difficult or in many cases just not permitted. My thanks go to OHNY for coordinating this great weekend and making these places accessible ...
Friday, October 13, 2006
Secret Rooftop Garden
For just 4 hours, as part of OHNY (Open House New York), the rooftop garden atop the British Empire Building at Rockefeller Center was open to the public. This private garden is rarely accessible and a detailed online search returns very little information about it. According to the Rockefeller Center website: "Originally, the architects envisioned an even more elaborate network of roof gardens to be connected by aerial pedestrian bridges, which they compared to the hanging gardens of ancient Babylon." At this point in time, the garden primarily functions as eye candy to those in buildings nearby who are fortunate enough to have views of the hedges, wildflowers, fountains, lawns, pools and beautiful walkways. The rooftop overlooks Fifth Ave., St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, so of course the views are spectacular - click here for more photos. I feel fortunate to have visited, as I am sure all the other visitors were. In a post 9/11 world, seeing special places in NYC is becoming more difficult or in many cases just not permitted. My thanks go to OHNY for coordinating this great weekend and making these places accessible ...
C'est un endroit magnifique de NYC. Dire que je dois encore attendre 6 mois environ avant de retourner a NYC, c'est long ;o(
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I found your site from Eric's Paris site.
ReplyDeleteI love NY also! I had planned to come this fall but plans got changed. Your site helps.
Thanks for the great pictures!
awesome Brian, you have the passion of a real new yorker combined with an architect's curiosity.
ReplyDeleteWish I was there..
ReplyDeleteThanks for this daily dose of New York, you're great!
Whow, lucky you... Never been on these Rockefeller center rooftops. There is an interesting view of this place in Spiderman I, with St Patricks Cathedral on the background.
ReplyDeleteThis garden was featured in Spider Man 1. SPidey dropped MJ here after rescuing her from the Goblin's Times Square attack. I've wondered where it actually was.
ReplyDeleteThanks people - I did not know this was featured in Spider Man 1.
ReplyDeleteBrian
Brian, I would like to use your image in a collaborative paper I am working on about greening infrastructure and want to be able to properly credit you with the image. The images of this garden are the only ones I can find that work perfectly. I would need the highest resolution copy of this image to make it work so I need to find out how to get in touch with you. How can we make this happen?
ReplyDeleteSince I saw this garden in Spiderman this is where i've wanted to get married. Does anyone know if this garden might be open for weddings?
ReplyDeleteHi! Very interesting reeding. There is something wrong with the photos. Is there any way to see them?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences.
/Anya
Check out more NYC rooftop gardens at www.amberfreda.com
ReplyDeleteThat's a great photo--but the link to additional photos seems to be broken. We'd love to see more!
ReplyDeleteHere Be Dragons - sorry. The additional photo link should now work. Note: some browsers/settings will display the photos in a smaller format and clicking the images will enlarge them.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your blog is absolutely addicting. I saw this under popular posts, and this picture is incredible. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful green corner among all those buildings.
ReplyDeleteJust found your photoblog. Following.
Greets from Macedonia!
omg, this spot is just sooo beautiful. just wondering how awesome this is at night.
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