Rockefeller University Dedicates Peggy Rockefeller Plaza

The Rockefeller University community dedicated Peggy Rockefeller Plaza at the south end of its campus today in a ceremony that included music from a brass band, remarks from donors Anne and Robert Bass, and a surprise announcement.

Robert Bass (left), Anne Bass, and President Levine (right) unveil the inscription on the fountain in Peggy Rockefeller Plaza for David Rockefeller (second from left).

The name of the plaza was revealed for the first time at the ceremony in the presence of David Rockefeller, Life Trustee of The Rockefeller University and husband of the late Peggy Rockefeller. David Rockefeller is also the grandson of John D. Rockefeller, who founded the university in 1901.

“I feel almost as completely speechless as I’ve ever felt,” he said following the announcement. “It’s one of the most heartwarming things I can imagine. It’s an exciting day for me and for Rockefeller University.”

The official opening of the plaza concludes a major undertaking to link the north and south ends of the Rockefeller campus both physically and aesthetically. The university finished the first half of this process in November 1999, when it dedicated the Campus Community Bridge in Honor of Torsten N. Wiesel, a pedestrian bridge over 63rd St. that joins the residential and scientific areas of campus. Renovation of the plaza completes this effort by converting a barren, concrete area into a garden and courtyard.

The idea of transforming the plaza was first conceived in 1997 by Rockefeller’s then-President, Torsten Wiesel, M.D., and two benefactors, trustee Robert Bass and his wife, RU Council member Anne Bass. They envisioned an appealing arrangement of grass, trees and water that encouraged relaxation and contemplation. To make such a courtyard possible, the couple pledged a $5 million gift.

The university sponsored a design competition and in early 1998 selected a plan proposed by Thomas Balsley Associates, an internationally renowned landscape architectural firm. Work on the plaza began in March 1999 and was overseen by the Office of Planning and Construction.

“This was a very challenging project that involved construction in six university buildings,” says George Candler, the university’s director of planning and construction. “The new design addresses long unresolved problems with a vernacular appropriate to the urban scale and character of the space, using forms and materials associated with the classic Kiley landscape.”

The plaza design incorporates plantings, lawn and trees in geometric patterns that import the “oasis” environment already inherent in the central campus, which was designed in 1958 by Daniel Kiley. The multilevel space has been organized to consist of outdoor rooms, each offering the visitor different levels of intimacy. At the center of the plaza is a tree grove surrounded by a fountain composed of a low, circular granite wall with slots and channels through which water flows. In addition to the aesthetic improvement, the new plaza also offers more seating and shelter from the elements with canopies and trellises.

“Our design challenge was to physically and spiritually reconnect these spaces and to create a new campus agora—one reflecting the university’s rich landscape traditions as well as 21^st century university culture.” Balsley said.

At the ceremony, Robert Bass pointed out rose bushes planted in the center of the plaza in honor of Peggy Rockefeller. The bushes actually feature “Peggy Rockefeller” roses, a bright crimson type developed in 1992 and named after her.

“David Rockefeller’s constancy and dedication, his love and devotion, is why we’re able to be here today,” said Robert Bass. “We wanted to recognize another part of David today as well. Peggy Rockefeller has a special place in Rockefeller University.”

David Rockefeller, deeply moved, expressed his appreciation to the university and the Basses in particular. “To have Bob and Anne develop such a beautiful space and name it after my dear wife Peggy—I just can’t get over it,” he said.

The Rockefeller University's new plaza at the south end of campus includes dramatic upper cafe terrace views to the East River and the 59th St. Bridge. A lower level of the plaza features a large open lawn, tree grove and fountain.