Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

found pic @ Google images

The Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st streets in New York City, United States. Built by the Rockefeller family, it is located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, spanning the area between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

The Rockefeller Center was named after John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who leased the space from Columbia University in 1928 and developed it from 1930. Rockefeller initially planned a syndicate to build an opera house for the Metropolitan Opera on the site, but changed his mind after the stock market crash of 1929 and the Metropolitan's continual delays to hold out for a more favorable lease, causing Rockefeller to move forward without them.

The RockefellerCenter Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City and it has been raised every year since 1933. This year’s tree arrived at Rockefeller Center last week, November 14. During the time that the tree arrives, a giant crane is hoisting it into position in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Right now, it is being decorated with more than 30,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski star.

found pic @ nyclove

Designed by Michael Hammers, the Swarovski Star for the 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is made of 25,000 crystals, with 1,000,000 facets, and it measures 9 feet in diameter and 1 feet deep. The Star weighs 550 pounds, including 300 pounds of crystal panels, and is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays. The star also features energy-efficient LED bulbs and a state-of-the-art computer program. If you want to get closer view of Swarovski Star, the replica of the same will be also displayed in Rockefeller Center. Not only a Star, Swarovski will offer a collection of stylish star-themed crystal jewelry and an Annual Edition Ornament inspired by the design of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Star, which can be bought at the Swarovski holiday kiosk at Rockefeller Center; at Swarovski boutiques nationwide and online.

The 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 28, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. As usual, tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions will watch it live across the globe. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 11pm on January 7th, 2013. Below you can see a picture of last year's Tree and on the 28th, we promise to unveil 2012 surprises!

photo credits: Entertainment Blog