Visitors at Rockefeller Center in New York are not only looking at one of the most innovative centers in any modern city in the world, they’re also looking at a microcosm of America – the real American dream. This is signified not by the centerpiece of the court, 30 Rock, but by the buildings surrounding it.

Rockefeller Center was built in 1938 and its 19 impressive buildings cover 22 acres of prime real estate in New York City. The wealthy Rockefeller family undertook this massive construction operation, with 30 Rockefeller Plaza, now the GE Building, being the biggest and most notable.

However, it’s the two buildings on either side of 30 Rock that make the entire center even more impressive. The small, drab buildings on either side were privately owned businesses in the early 1900s. While Columbia University was quick to lease the land, and other owners were excited to sell, two business owners decided they didn’t want their respective dreams to be part of a haughty building.

So when people visit 30 Rock, they’re bearing witness to the power of both private business and massive wealth. The proverbial “little guy” and the quintessential millionaire mogul stories are on display at the same location, creating a picture of America that Norman Rockwell would be proud of.

As the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center, the GE Building at 30 Rock stands an impressive 70 stories and became most famous for being the RCA building. RCA owned the building until the 1980s when General Electric acquired the company.

The building is extremely busy. Apart from being a constant tourist attraction, the GE Building also plays host to multiple businesses. The Rockefeller family still has offices in the building on floors 54 to 56. One of the city’s most famous restaurants, the Rainbow Room, is located on the 65th floor of the structure.

The entertainment conglomerate NBC can be found inside 30 Rock via a condominium arrangement. GE, which owns 30 Rock, also owns NBC, and the network is headquartered on these premises.Famous shows such as Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and The Dr. Oz Show are all hosted from within the building. Also, all of NBC/MSNBC news is located in the GE Building.

30 Rock was constructed differently from similar buildings of the time period. They went with a flat roof and ultimately built an observation deck on top, which was completely renovated in the 2000s, costing a staggering $75 million. The panoramic views of the city bring in tourists from all over the globe.

The GE Building is also famous throughout the world for its yearly display of a gigantic Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink that thousands of people visit each year.

This Art Deco skyscraper has stood the test of time, literally, and is one of New York’s most famous buildings. 30 Rockefeller Plaza is one of the tallest buildings in the city and certainly one of the most popular.