The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York will shine a little brighter this year: Austrian crystal producer Swarovski commissioned Daniel Libeskind, FAIA, founder and principal of New York–based Studio Libeskind, to design a new star that will shine from the top of the iconic Norway spruce. The 900-pound ornament was lifted to the top of the 72-foot tree earlier this week—the tree itself was raised into place Nov. 10—in advance of the official tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 28.
"The new Swarovski Star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is inspired by the beauty of starlight—something that radiates meaning and mystery into the world," Libeskind said in a press release. "The star is a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions for hope, unity and peace."
Measuring 9 feet, 4 inches in diameter, the star features 3 million Swarovski crystals arranged across 70 irregular spikes. According to Bloomberg, the star, which is outfitted with LEDs, will emit 106,400 lumens of white light. The design has been in development for two years.
According to the release, Libeskind has also designed a 200-square-foot "star-like" retail pop-up shop called Star Boutique, which features "a faceted construction created from glass panels and video screens." It will debut later this month at Rockefeller Plaza. A duplicate of Libeskind's Swarovski Star will be on display beside the boutique so that visitors can see the intricacies of its design.
Now in its 86th season, the Rockefeller Center tree will remain on display through Jan. 7, 2019.
