Gabellini Sheppard revitalized the East and West lobbies, ground-floor corridors, entrance vestibules, and exterior experience at the historic 45 Rockefeller Plaza, cultivating a welcoming, contemporary feeling while preserving the building’s iconic Art Deco magnificence. Our focus was on subtle yet impactful interventions celebrating the building's rich history and showcasing its original materials. Recognized as “one of the most dramatic spaces in New York City” by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, landmarked 45 Rockefeller was evolved and enhanced for enjoyment by generations to come.

The studio masterfully utilized light as an artistic tool, using a play of sophisticated illumination techniques to bring the building's interiors, exteriors, and art to life. Inside the landmarked East Lobby, we integrated unobtrusive cove, linear, and downlighting elements to brighten the space and reveal the true colors of the green Tinos Marble walls and copper leaf ceiling, previously unappreciated in the darkness of the space. We added silver leaf, antique mirror, and updated audio amenities to complement the existing materials and modernize without changing the original intent.

Photography by Paul Warchol.