Radio City Music Hall
Also known as: See Also:Rockefeller Center
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Why it's listed
Radio City Music Hall, completed in 1932-33 on a Manhattan block between West 50th and West 51st Streets, is an Art Deco theater forming part of Rockefeller Center. Designed by Reinhard and Hofmeister; Hood, Godley and Fouilhoux; and Corbett, Harrison and MacMurray, it has an Indiana limestone exterior with bronze moldings and a large marquee. Inside, a multi-storey grand foyer leads to an auditorium for about 6,200 people, with a sunburst-patterned plaster ceiling, a very large stage and the world's largest theater organ. Custom murals, carpets, furniture and lighting by artists and designers such as Ezra Winter, Donald Deskey, Ruth Reeves and William Zorach survive almost intact. The nomination values it as the last of the great vaudeville houses and the grandest cinema in the country. It also notes its role in introducing millions of Americans to live performance, modern design and the Rockettes, and its low height, which brings light and air to the Rockefeller Center neighborhood.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Music Hall is a fine, nearly unaltered example of Art Deco architecture and a major cultural institution. It was the last of the great vaudeville theaters and the grandest cinema in the country, and it drew millions of visitors. Its custom interiors, advanced stage machinery and low profile within Rockefeller Center add to its importance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78001880, listed May 8, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | May 8, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001880 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1932-33 |
| Architect / builder | Reinhard and Hofmeister; Hood, Godley and Fouihoux; Corbett, Harrison and MacMurray |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as an entertainment venue; described as virtually unaltered since 1932, with negligible alterations. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.75989, -73.97967 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78001880.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q753437
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.