Radio City Music Hall, nicknamed Showplace of the Nation, was designated a national landmark in 1978. It is part of the Rockefeller Center 12 acre site in midtown Manhattan. Built in the Art Deco style, it was opened to the public in 1932 with the intent to present stage shows of individual performers. In 1933 the format was changed to offer a feature film of the time along with a lavish stage show. The stage show and film format continued until 1979 with four performances a day, until changes in movie distribution rights made it difficult to continue. Plans at that time were made to convert the theatre into office space but preservationists and others thwarted this plan. The theatre reopened to the public in 1980 and has become world renowned for its spectacular Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes as well as regularly scheduled live music performances. The spectacular Art Deco lobby, lounges, huge stage and auditorium make it a unique and very special landmark for local residents and visitors from around the globe.