The Rainbow Room scheduled to reopen in 2014

Primary tabs

The Rainbow Room, the historic New York City landmark and iconic restaurant and event space atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Rockefeller Center, will reopen to the public in the fall of 2014, it was announced today. Rockefeller Center is the world-famous real estate, shopping and dining complex in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Each day an estimated 350,000 people visit the Rockefeller Center complex, which during the holidays is home to the most famous Christmas tree in the world.

 

The Rainbow Room originally opened during the Great Depression in 1934. From its site on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, it offered stunning views, elegant décor and a glamorous setting for special occasions, celebrations and spectacular dining.

 

The team from Tishman Speyer which operates Rockefeller Center – including such destination attractions and event spaces as Top of The Rock Observation Deck, the 620 Loft and Garden event space at 620 Fifth Avenue and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree month-long celebration – will oversee the Rainbow Room and work with the leading talents in the restaurant and hospitality industries to run the day-to-day operations.

 

Blau + Associates, one of the foremost restaurant development companies in the field, has been engaged to oversee the reopening process, from the culinary programming to the operations strategy, for the space. Led by founder Elizabeth Blau, the company’s extensive work in the hospitality industry includes developing premiere food and beverage concepts for celebrated destinations such as Steve Wynn’s Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas, Ritz Carlton Hotels, One and Only Palmilla and Celebrity Cruises, as well as Blau’s own restaurants including Honey Salt and Simon Palms Place, among many others.

Photo: Trip Advisor

 

The Rainbow Room itself will be operated as a combination of catered event space as well as a restaurant that is open to the public. In addition, a previously unused outdoor terrace on the 65th floor will be combined with a connecting interior space and transformed into a bar and lounge that will be open to public each day five or more days each week, serving cocktails and light fare.

 

 

The Rainbow Room itself will be available for private catered events, special holidays and group dining five days a week. The famed room, now landmarked, will be operated as a restaurant for Sunday brunch each week as well as for dinner a minimum of one night a week, with the final schedule to be determined once the executive chef and general manager are on board. Building off the tradition of Rainbow & Stars, occasional live entertainment will return to the Rainbow Room as part of the program. Finally, the executive club on the western end of the 65th floor will be reintroduced, serving weekday breakfast and lunch.

Photo: NYEdge.com

 

Gabellini Sheppard Architects, the architects who reimagined Rockefeller Center’s observation deck, Top of the Rock, will design the Rainbow Room’s public spaces. The Rainbow Room interior, including its legendary dance floor overlooking the Manhattan skyline, was recently landmarked by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

 

“We are very excited to be part of a project that will start a new chapter in the life of a classic New York icon,” said Michael Gabellini. “The design will connect past with present, and once again bring glamour and elegance to the Rainbow Room, while surrounding guests with the spectacular vistas of New York City.”

 

Connect Real-Time with CITYPEEK Patti's Food, Wine & Travels:

Want to be considered or highlighted? Email ceo@citypeek.com

Facebook: Click

 

Twitter: Click

Instagram: Click  

 

LinkedIn