About the development
1221 Avenue of the Americas is one of Rockefeller Group’s flagship properties in Manhattan, a 2.6 million square foot office tower developed in the modern expansion of Rockefeller Center to the west side of Sixth Avenue. Designed by Harrison, Abramovitz and Harris, the architects for all of Rockefeller Center, extensive renovations to the lobby and sidestreet plazas in 2016 positioned the building at the forefront of the resurgence of Sixth Avenue. In tandem with the renovation, Sixth Avenue was the most active location in Manhattan for the city’s largest office leases for three consecutive years between 2016 and 2018. Major tenants in the building include the law firm White & Case, as well as major media and consulting firms including NBCUniversal, Sirius XM and Deloitte.
After announcing a two-year revitalization project in 2014, designed by architecture firm MdeAS, more than 1 million square feet of new leases and renewals were completed in the building. The lobby features artworks by Mark Bradford, displayed at the center of the double-height lobby, that draw attention to the openness and scale of the space. The commissioned artwork, Elgin Gardens, consists of two 22.5-foot-high mixed-media installations depicting the grid of Manhattan.
The building’s retail space is home to some of Manhattan’s most celebrated restaurants, including Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Oceana, as well as fast casual venues for food and beverage from Zibetto Espresso Bar, to Chipotle and 48 Lounge.
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New Plaza CompletionPart of Something Larger
Originally developed in partnership with McGraw-Hill, 1221 Avenue of the Americas remains a flagship property in Rockefeller Group’s core office portfolio. Located between 48th and 49th Streets, the building is surrounded by tree-lined, open-air plazas on all four sides, with public seating for more than 500 people.
Inside, the expansive double-height lobby is encased in floor-to-ceiling glass, allowing natural light to penetrate throughout. The effect creates an indoor-outdoor feel, further influenced by comfortable seating and places to work or unwind inside or out.
Two inspiring installations, entitled “Elgin Gardens”, by renowned abstract artist, Mark Bradford, flank the grand hall, embodying the ideals of endless creativity and forward-thinking drive that made New York City.
In 2023, Rockefeller Group completed a renovation of its Sixth Avenue plaza, redesigning the multi-level space. The project is the product of several years of design work and input from the NYC Department of City Planning and multiple design consultants. The intent was to transform underused privately-owned public space into a more visible and welcoming environment for people to enjoy throughout the day. The plaza continues to offer direct access to the Rockefeller Center concourse, shops and subway station, which are enhanced with elevator-access from the street level.
The project was designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, a Milan-based multi-disciplinary design practice specializing in architecture, urban planning and interior design.
