Rockefeller

The Rockefeller Apartments represent a pioneering moment in New York City architecture. Built in the mid nineteen thirties, these two tawny brick towers were commissioned by Nelson Rockefeller and his father, John D. Rockefeller Junior. The complex stands out for its bold use of semi-cylindrical window bays that extend from the facade. These unique curves were a radical departure from the flat surfaces typical of the era. The architects designed the buildings to maximize access to light and air, providing fifteen percent more of both than local building codes required at the time. This project marked one of the city's first major expressions of the International Style of architecture. The design serves as a lasting example of how functionalist principles from Europe were adapted for New York residential living.