Rockefeller Center, originally known as Radio City, is a complex of buildings developed in the midst of the Great Depression.  Built between 48th and 51st street and 5th and 6th Avenue in once was the red-light district owned by Columbia University.  Signing a 27 year lease with the option of three 21 year renewals for a total of 87 years, the construction of the Art Deco complexes began May 17, 1930 and opened in 1939.  Columbia University sold the land beneath Rockefeller Center to the Rockefeller Group in 1985 for $400 million.