1271 Avenue of the Americas

Office skyscraper in Manhattan, New York Time-Life Building June 2023 June 2024 1271 Avenue of the Americas Time & Life Building From the QM5 td (2022-09-12) 006 - 1271 Avenue of the Americas.jpg Facade of 1271 Avenue of the Americas as seen from beside it Office Manhattan, New York, U.S. yes 300 300 40 45 38 N 73 58 52 W type:landmark_region:US-NY inline,title completed 1957 1960 October 1959 587 ft m 48stories $70 million 1,962,900 ft2 Wallace Harrison of Harrison, Abramovitz, and Harris George A. Fuller Company Rockefeller Group(Mitsubishi Group) Rockefeller Group yes NYC July 16, 2002 2119 Designated entity Ground-floor interior 1271 Avenue of the Americas (formerly known as the Time & Life Building) is a 48-story skyscraperstories on Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), between 50th and 51st streets, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, United States. Designed by architect Wallace Harrison of Harrison, Abramovitz, and Harris, the building was developed between 1956 and 1960 as part of Rockefeller Center. The building's eight-story base partially wraps around its 48-story main tower. Both sections are surrounded by a plaza, which has white-and-gray pavement in a serpentine pattern, as well as water fountains. The facade consists of glass panels between limestone columns. The lobby contains serpentine floors, white-marble and stainless-steel walls, and reddish-burgundy glass ceilings, in addition to artwork by Josef Albers, Fritz Glarner, and Francis Brennan. The ground floor also includes storefronts and originally housed La Fonda del Sol, a Latin American–themed restaurant. Each of the upper floors covers 28000 ft2 m2, with the offices arranged around the core. The 48th floor originally contained the Hemisphere Club, which operated as a members-only restaurant during the day and was open to the public during evenings. After the media firm Time Inc. expressed its intention to move from 1 Rockefeller Plaza in the 1950s, Rockefeller Center's owners proposed a skyscraper at 1271 Avenue of the Americas to accommodate the move. Construction started in May 1957; the building was topped out during November 1958, and occupants began moving into their offices in late 1959. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the lobby as a city landmark in 2002. Time Inc. vacated 1271 Avenue of the Americas in 2015, and the building was subsequently renovated between 2015 and 2019. 4 Site 14 1271 Avenue of the Americas is on the western side of Sixth Avenue (officially Avenue of the AmericasBowen Croswell Croswell Bowen April 1, 1970 Topics: In Search of Sixth Avenue en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/topics-in-search-of-sixth-avenue.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716141558/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/01/archives/topics-in-search-of-sixth-avenue.html live), between 50th and 51st streets, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City.1271 Avenue of the Amer, 10020 https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1003/29 live March 20, 2020 New York City Department of City Planning https://web.archive.org/web/20210715174812/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1003/29 July 15, 2021327 The land lot is rectangular and covers 82,340 ft2. The site has a frontage of 410 ft on 50th and 51st streets and a frontage of 200 ft on Sixth Avenue.Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 397 Nearby buildings include The Michelangelo to the west, Axa Equitable Center to the northwest, 75 Rockefeller Plaza to the northeast, Radio City Music Hall to the east, 30 Rockefeller Plaza to the southeast, and 1251 Avenue of the Americas to the south. Prior to the development of 1271 Avenue of the Americas, much of the site had previously served as a New York Railways Company trolley barn,Postal 2002 . 4Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 398 which in turn was replaced by a parking lot.Gleason Gene December 14, 1956 New 'Time-Life' Building For Rockefeller Center New York Herald Tribune 34 1327544790 There was also a four-story building facing Sixth Avenue and a collection of single-story shops on 50th Street. Rockefeller Center Inc. bought the plots on 50th and 51st streets in the first week of August 1953,August 3, 1953 Rockefeller Center Buys Large Property in 50th St. 22 New York Herald Tribune 1322503023August 3, 1953 Land Is Purchased in Midtown Area; Rockefeller Center Buys Plot Near Roxy Theatre as an Investment – Other Deals en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/03/archives/land-is-purchased-in-midtown-area-rockefeller-center-buys-plot-near.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715174742/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/03/archives/land-is-purchased-in-midtown-area-rockefeller-center-buys-plot-near.html live followed by those on Sixth Avenue the next week.August 10, 1953 Transfers and Financing 18 New York Herald Tribune 1322504055August 10, 1953 Midtown Block Is Sold en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/08/10/84418200.pdf November 27, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174638/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/08/10/84418200.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live One building on the site reportedly cost $2 million after its owner had held out.Ennis Thomas W. February 17, 1957 Holdout Owners Plague Builders; Assembling Site for a Large Structure Taxes Broker's Ability in Purchases Prices Climb to Peak en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1957/02/17/archives/holdout-owners-plague-builders-assembling-site-for-a-large.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005656/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/02/17/archives/holdout-owners-plague-builders-assembling-site-for-a-large.html live Rockefeller Center's managers originally wanted to build an NBC studio or a Ford vehicle showroom on the site. Architecture The building was designed by Harrison & Abramovitz, a firm led by Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz. It was constructed by John Lowry and the George A. Fuller Company.Jan 1957 More Towers for New York: Major Projects Announced https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1957-01.pdf Architectural Record 121 12 July 16, 2021 August 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210812031015/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1957-01.pdf liveMarch 1957 Time and Life Building https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1957-03.pdf Architectural Record 121 232 July 16, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192300/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1957-03.pdf live Syska Hennessy was hired as the mechanical engineering firm, and Edwards & Hjorth was the structural engineering firm.Ennis Thomas W. Jr. December 14, 1956 Rockefeller Center To Add Skyscraper en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/12/14/86966875.pdf November 16, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174638/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/12/14/86966875.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false liveJan 1958 P/A News Bulletins https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1958-01.pdf Progressive Architecture 39 74 1 July 16, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715233948/https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1958-01.pdf liveArchitectural Forum 1960 . 77 1271 Avenue of the Americas was planned as a 48-story tower, rising 587 ft and measuring around 310 by 104 ft.December 23, 1957 Time & Life Building To Have Glass Facade 4 New York Herald Tribune 1327065685Architectural Forum 1960 . 75According to the New York Herald Tribune, the tower is 315 by 104 ft. Architectural Forum states that the tower is 308 by 104.5 ft. The tower is flanked by shorter segments with setbacks at the third and eighth stories.Jan 1957 Two Newest N.Y. Towers https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1957-01.pdf Architectural Forum 106 37 July 16, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192250/https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1957-01.pdf live The north and west edges of the tower are flanked by a seven-story section of the base.stories Some sources cite 1271 Avenue of the Americas as a 47-story skyscraper with a seven-story base. Architectural Forum cited the building as having 47 stories but its base as having eight stories. An auditorium designed by Gio Ponti, with colored triangles, was installed on the eighth-floor setback.Auditorium on the Eight Floor of the Time Life Building https://www.gioponti.org/en/archives/work-detail/dd_32990_6124/auditorium-on-the-eight-floor-of-the-time-life-building July 16, 2021 Giò Ponti July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231834/https://www.gioponti.org/en/archives/work-detail/dd_32990_6124/auditorium-on-the-eight-floor-of-the-time-life-building live The neighboring Roxy Theatre was acquired as part of the building's development,. Krinsky 1978 112–113 allowing the building's floor area to be increased under the limits set by the 1916 Zoning Resolution. A provision under the 1916 Zoning Resolution had allowed structures to rise without setbacks above a given level if all subsequent stories covered no more than 25 percent of the land lot.Kayden The Municipal Art Society of New York 2000 . 8As per the 1916 Zoning Act, the wall of any given tower that faces a street could only rise to a certain height, proportionate to the street's width, at which point the building had to be set back by a given proportion. This system of setbacks would continue until the tower reaches a floor level in which that level's floor area was 25 percent that of the ground level's area. After that 25 percent threshold was reached, the building could rise without restriction. This law was superseded by the 1961 Zoning Resolution.. Kayden The Municipal Art Society of New York 2000 11–12 zoning Facade 1271 Avenue of the Americas' facade is made mostly of glass, which at the time of the building's construction cost the same as a wall made mostly of limestone. The use of a glass facade permitted a higher degree of flexibility on each story compared to a limestone wall of the same size. Before the current facade design was selected, several alternatives were considered. Time Inc. wanted a flush exterior wall, but this was rejected because exterior columns would protrude into the floor area. Another alternative called for an accordion-shaped wall: The windows would have sloped inward, and the spandrel panels between the windows on each story would have sloped outward. The accordion wall, which would have been framed by flat columns, was infeasible because it reduced floor area, required modifications to the drapes and air-conditioning, and was not aesthetically desirable to the architects. At ground level, there is a canopy over the 51st Street entrance.1271 Avenue of the Americas Recladding and Repositioning http://www.pcf-p.com/projects/1271-avenue-of-the-americas-recladding-and-repositioning/ July 15, 2021 Pei Cobb Freed & Partners July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716055949/https://www.pcf-p.com/projects/1271-avenue-of-the-americas-recladding-and-repositioning/ live The rest of the tower has a glass curtain wall.Morris Keiko November 19, 2015 For Manhattan Landmark, A Makeover en-US The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-manhattan-landmark-a-makeover-1447898455 July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715233947/https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-manhattan-landmark-a-makeover-1447898455 liveThe Wall Street Journal says the tower's curtain wall covers 450000 ft2, while Pei Cobb Freed & Partners cites a much larger figure of 626000 ft2. On all stories, the facade includes structural columns with limestone cladding. The limestone columns frame the glass curtain wall and also serve as an architectural allusion to the other buildings at Rockefeller Center.December 6, 1959 New Uses Found for Ancient Material: Increased Use of Stone Noted in Area Buildings 2C New York Herald Tribune 1324226287Life 1960 . 18 In addition, more than 40,000 ft of stainless-steel flashing was placed on the facade. The stainless-steel flashing was meant to last for as long as the building existed; on the setbacks at the base, the flashing was buried inside corners along the roof deck.May 1960 Stainless Steel Flashing https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1960-05.pdf Progressive Architecture 41 182–183 5 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716001324/https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1960-05.pdf live The limestone columns are spaced every 28 ft.Fowler Glenn August 23, 1959 Novel Design Gives Skyscrapers Bold Vertical Accents: Supporting Columns Placed Outside Curtain Walls R1 The New York Times 0362-4331 114706592 There are five vertical bays of windows between each set of limestone columns. Each bay has two narrow aluminum mullions flanking the center pane and two larger air-conditioning risers along the outer panes.Architectural Forum 1958 . 96–97 Originally, each glass pane measured 52 in wide and 56 in tall. The spandrels between the windows on different stories consist of a 0.25 in -thick mid plate, behind which is a screen made of aluminum mesh. The mechanical pipes and ducts, as well as the floor slabs, are hidden behind the spandrels. The windows were planned as square panes, but the window sills were lowered during the design process so they were only 2.5 ft above each floor slab. Each spandrel was then covered by a regular glass pane. In the late 2010s, new low-emissivity glazed panels with thermal breaks were installed. Plaza The eastern part of the site was planned with a plaza. The plaza measures 170 ft long and 83 ft wide and is flanked by the eight-story base. The southern part of the site also has a promenade that is about 30 ft wide. The plaza has pavers in a serpentine pattern, similar to those found on the sidewalks of Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach.Postal 2002 . 6Muschamp Herbert Hearts of the City: The Selected Writings of Herbert Muschamp Alfred A. Knopf 2009 978-0-307-27324-6 642 865473531 According to the architectural writer Robert A. M. Stern, the pavement was "an illustration of the 'good neighbor' ideals of the Avenue of the Americas Association".Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 400 Harrison believed the pavers would bring variety to the building's design. The original pavers, designed by Port Morris Tile & Marble Corporation, were removed in 2001 because they were too slippery; the same company reproduced the pattern in rougher terrazzo. In the late 2010s, the sidewalk pattern was extended from the lot line to the curb line. A seating parapet in the plaza surrounded a reflecting pool with four jets,Architectural Forum 1960 . 76 measuring about 110 by 30 ft.August 3, 1959 Time-Life Plaza to Have 7 Pools: Night Illumination Planned for Promenade of New Building on 6th Ave. en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/03/archives/timelife-plaza-to-have-7-pools-night-illumination-planned-for.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716064729/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/03/archives/timelife-plaza-to-have-7-pools-night-illumination-planned-for.html liveArchitectural Forum cites an area of 109.5 by 30.5 ft, while The New York Times cites an area of 106 by 31 ft. Another six pools, measuring 33.5 by 6 ft each, were placed within the plaza. Each pool had a mat made of lead for waterproofing, which in turn was covered by cement and terrazzo.December 25, 1959 Lead Carpet Rolls to Line 6th Av. Pools: Time-Life Building Will Have Tons of It 20 New York Herald Tribune 1328111760 Trees and shrubs were originally also planted on the 50th Street side, while three flagpoles were placed on the section of the plaza facing Sixth Avenue. After the late 2010s renovation, the original decorations were replaced. The new decorations included five pools with fountain jets on Sixth Avenue, in addition to planting beds and seating areas.December 23, 2021 Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Modernize the Mid-Century Iconic 48-Story, Two Million Sq Ft Time-Life Tower for the Rockefeller Group in Midtown Manhattan Preserving and Enhancing the Building's Identity https://globaldesignnews.com/pei-cobb-freed-partners-modernize-the-mid-century-iconic-48-story-two-million-square-foot-time-life-tower-for-the-rockefeller-group-in-midtown-manhattan-preserving-and-enhancing-the-buildings/ February 10, 2024 Global Design News Also within the plaza is an entrance to the New York City Subway's 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station, serving the Sixth.MTA Neighborhood Maps: 47–50 Sts-Rockefeller Center (B)(D)(F)(M) https://new.mta.info/document/861 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority December 11, 2015 2015 December 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211216140425/https://new.mta.info/document/861 live In 1972, the Association for a Better New York hired William Crovello to create a sculpture at the building called Cubed Curve,Horsley Carter B. The Time-Life Building https://www.thecityreview.com/timelife.html July 16, 2021 The Midtown Book July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716045346/https://www.thecityreview.com/timelife.html liveLederer Joseph All Around the Town: A Walking Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in New York City Scribner 1975 978-0-684-14255-5 https://books.google.com/books?id=l6E2AQAAIAAJ August 25, 2024 106 measuring 8 ft wide and 12 ft wide.Fried Frederick New York Civic Sculpture Dover Publications 1976 978-0-486-23258-4 82 The sculpture was inspired by a fluid brush stroke.Price Marshall N. National Academy (U.S.) The Abstract Impulse: Fifty Years of Abstraction at the National Academy, 1956–2006 National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts in association Hudson Hills Press 2007 978-1-887149-17-4 https://books.google.com/books?id=W1bynpNf4HQC&pg=PA43 August 25, 2024 43 According to The New York Times, the sculpture marked Time Inc.'s "presence at the center of the media universe".Pappu Sridhar Stowe Jay May 19, 2018 The Last Days of Time Inc. en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/19/business/media/time-inc-oral-history.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/19/business/media/time-inc-oral-history.html July 17, 2021 It was moved in 2018 to Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, while the building was being renovated.Crimmins Peter November 28, 2018 Iconic Manhattan Sculpture Finds a New Home in Collegeville, Pa. https://whyy.org/articles/iconic-manhattan-sculpture-finds-a-new-home-in-collegeville-pa/ July 16, 2021 WHYY July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716142311/https://whyy.org/articles/iconic-manhattan-sculpture-finds-a-new-home-in-collegeville-pa/ live center 600 6th Av Jul 2021 48.jpg Alternating bands of white and gray tiles in the sidewalk of the plaza outside 1271 Avenue of the Americas 6th Av Jul 2021 39.jpg A planting bed next to the sidewalk of the plaza outside 1271 Avenue of the Americas 6th Av Jul 2021 44.jpg A fountain next to the sidewalk of the plaza outside 1271 Avenue of the Americas The plaza outside 1271 Avenue of the Americas (pictured in 2021) includes pavers in a serpentine pattern, in addition to planting beds and fountains Interior thumb|Lobby corridor north of the elevators|alt=Lobby corridor north of the elevators. The floor has wavy white and gray pavers, and the left wall has a textured pattern on a metal surface. 1271 Avenue of the Americas was built with about 1400000 ft2 of rentable space.Architectural Forum cited 1.5 e6ft2 of rentable space and 1.9 e6ft2 of total space. According to the New York City Department of City Planning, the building has a gross floor area of 1,962,900 ft2. The interior design was contracted to a variety of architects, including Alexander Girard, Gio Ponti, Charles Eames, William Tabler, and George Nelson & Company. Thirty elevators, within the core, serve the building. The building's interior is divided into eight air-conditioning zones. Floors 8, 9, and 16 through 34 were originally occupied by Time Inc. and had their own thermostats, accommodating the nonstandard working hours of Time Inc. employees.Architectural Forum 1958 . 97 In conjunction with the building's construction, Rockefeller Center's central air-conditioning system was upgraded in 1957 to provide 6,000 tons of cooling capacity to the building every hour.September 20, 1957 Biggest Office Air-Cooling System A2 New York Herald Tribune 1327057122 The cooling systems had to operate all year because Time Inc.'s equipment generated large amounts of heat. The original cooling system was powered by steam, but electric and natural gas cooling systems had been added by 2000.Holusha John November 1, 2000 Commercial Real Estate; Building Adds Third Source of Power for Cooling en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/01/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-building-adds-third-source-of-power-for-cooling.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221816/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/01/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-building-adds-third-source-of-power-for-cooling.html liveNov 2002 Time & Life Makes News with Rare Trifuel Chiller Plant 19 11 20–22 217029501 Real Estate New York The mechanical spaces are concealed by narrow windows on the facade.Horsley Carter B. January 22, 1978 Office Towers' Machinery Often on Hidden Floors en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/22/archives/office-towers-machinery-often-on-hidden-floors-floors-for-office.html August 15, 2021 August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815223154/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/22/archives/office-towers-machinery-often-on-hidden-floors-floors-for-office.html live There are three basement stories.Huxtable Ada Louise Ada Louise Huxtable October 30, 1960 The Significance of Our New Skyscrapers en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1960/10/30/archives/the-significance-of-our-new-skyscrapers.html May 6, 2020 October 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211029202735/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/10/30/archives/the-significance-of-our-new-skyscrapers.html liveArchitectural Forum 1960 . 80 The first basement has a passageway leading to Rockefeller Center's underground concourse and the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station.Gleason Gene February 9, 1960 50th St, IND Station in New Dress: $85,000 Spent by Rockefeller Center on Redecorating Job 10 New York Herald Tribune 1324118287 The two other basements are not accessible to the public and are used for storage, maintenance, and service functions. Ground floor Lobby 1271 Avenue of the Americas' lobby is surrounded by commercial spaces on all sides; with the superstructure incorporated in the core and exterior, Harrison could design the lobby with more flexibility. Originally, the lobby was planned to include a covered shopping and exhibit hall on 50th Street and a north–south passage between 50th and 51st streets. These details were changed significantly in the final plan.Postal 2002 . 10 The lobby has two entrances to the south on 50th Street, one on either side of the core, as well as an entrance to the north on 51st Street, along the east side of the core. The core itself has two west–east passages connected by elevator banks. The more northerly of the east–west passages has stairs and escalators to the second story and the basement. Until the 1990s, the southern passage had been a narrow hallway because there were two storefronts next to it. A breezeway led east to Sixth Avenue, but this had been closed by 2002. Time Inc.'s reception area was within the lobby behind the fountain. center horizontal 760 Rockefeller Center Mar 2022 140.jpg Facing south, along the passageway on the eastern side of the elevator core View of the lobby, facing south toward 50th Street, along the passageway on the eastern side of the elevator core. There are white and gray pavers on the floor. To the right is a wall with the artwork "Relational Painting No. 88", a multicolored art piece with geometric shapes. Rockefeller Center Dec 2025 10.jpg Facing north, along the passageway on the western side of the elevator core View of the lobby, facing north, along the passageway on the western side of the elevator core. There are white and gray pavers on the floor. To the right is a wall with the artwork "Portals", which includes alternating bands of white and brown glass surrounding a set of bronze and nickel plates. Rockefeller Center Dec 2025 12.jpg Facing east, along the passageway on the southern side of the elevator core View of the lobby, facing east along the southern side of the elevator core. There are white and gray pavers on the floor. The walls of the core have panels arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The lobby has the same style of pavement as the plaza outside the building.Postal 2002 . 5–6 The original tiles were installed by the American Mosaic & Tile Company. They were made of white cementitious terrazzo with stainless steel borders, aligned west–east.Postal 2002 . 5 The southern section of the lobby was expanded in the 1990s, over the site of the storefronts there, but the extended floor did not match the original pavement. The entire lobby was resurfaced in the late 2010s with marble-based terrazzo tiles that matched the original floor design. Because the marble tiles had contained natural veins of black rock, contractors manually removed the veins before installing the tiles. The walls are largely made of plate-glass windows and white marble panels. Around the core, the walls are made of stainless steel rectangular panels. The steel panels are designed to complement the floor colors and are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The ceiling throughout the lobby is 16 ft high and was originally made of dark maroon glass tiles, finished in a matte covering. There were white lighting coves in some tiles.Postal 2002 . 7–8 Manufactured by American-Saint Gobain Corporation, the glass tiles were suspended from washers at each corner and were designed to be removed for maintenance. In the late 2010s, the original glass ceiling was replaced with reddish-burgundy tiles of similar design, which matched the original color. The lobby walls contain large murals by Josef Albers and Fritz Glarner, both of whom Harrison had known for many years.Postal 2002 . 7 Glarner's mural, entitled Relational Painting No. 88, measures 40 by 15 ft and is mounted east of the elevators.Postal 2002 . 6–7 It includes overlapping red, yellow, blue, gray, and black geometric shapes on a white background.https://books.google.com/books?id=3r8vAQAAIAAJ Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life Cue Publishing Company 1965 16 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231832/https://books.google.com/books?id=3r8vAQAAIAAJ live Albers's mural, entitled Portals, measures 42 by 14 ft and is mounted west of the elevators.Watson E.W. https://books.google.com/books?id=TVw9AAAAMAAJ American Artist Guptill A.L. Watson-Guptill Publications 1970 37 v. 34 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231834/https://books.google.com/books?id=TVw9AAAAMAAJ live Portals includes alternating bands of white and brown glass, which surround a set of bronze and nickel plates in a way that gives the impression of depth. Relational Painting No. 88 was installed in April 1960, while Portals was installed twelve months later. Another artwork by Fortune art director Francis Brennan was installed north of the elevators in January 1965. Brennan's work consists of a relief measuring 13 by 6 ft, which contains all the letters of the alphabet in the Caslon 471 typeface.February 9, 1965 Time-Life Lobby Gets Foot-High Type Font en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/09/archives/timelife-lobby-gets-foothigh-type-font.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716233613/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/09/archives/timelife-lobby-gets-foothigh-type-font.html live Storefronts When 1271 Avenue of the Americas opened, there was a Manufacturers Trust bank branch within the northeast corner of the base, next to the lobby.July 24, 1957 Bank Gets Space for 6th Ave. Unit; Manufacturers Trust Takes Lease in the Time-Life Building Now Under Way en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1957/07/24/archives/bank-gets-space-for-6th-ave-unit-manufacturers-trust-takes-lease-in.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192249/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/07/24/archives/bank-gets-space-for-6th-ave-unit-manufacturers-trust-takes-lease-in.html live There had also been two storefronts along the southern end of the lobby, next to the west–east corridor there, but the storefronts were removed in the 1990s. Along the lobby's west side was La Fonda del Sol (the Inn of the Sun), a Latin American–themed restaurant operated by Joseph Baum of Restaurant Associates.Claiborne Craig Craig Claiborne December 9, 1960 Latin-American Zest on Midtown Menu en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1960/12/09/archives/latinamerican-zest-on-midtown-menu.html January 13, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715165310/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/12/09/archives/latinamerican-zest-on-midtown-menu.html liveStern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 402 The interiors were designed by Alexander Girard and furniture by Charles Eames. La Fonda had an elaborate entry foyer and a set of dining spaces leading to the largest dining room.Jun 1961 Interior Designed by Alexander Girard for the Inn of the Sun https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1961-06.pdf Architectural Record 125 157–161 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231832/https://usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1961-06.pdf live The dining rooms were decorated with Latin American artifacts, and each of the dining rooms was furnished in vivid colors with at least two hues of fabrics.Claiborne Craig Craig Claiborne September 22, 1960 3 City Restaurants Boast Dramatic New Interiors en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1960/09/22/archives/3-city-restaurants-boast-dramatic-new-interiors.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231832/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/09/22/archives/3-city-restaurants-boast-dramatic-new-interiors.html live It relocated elsewhere in 1971 and was replaced with a bank branch. Originally used by the Seaman's Bank for Savings, the branch had round steel columns as well as green marble counters with flecks of white.Jun 1972 A Bank That Lures New Customers https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1972-06.pdf Architectural Forum 136 60–61 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231833/https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1972-06.pdf live 2021, the businesses in the lobby include the Capital Grille and Ted's Montana Grill.May 24, 2021 Rockefeller Brings 1271 Sixth to Full Occupancy https://rew-online.com/rockefeller-brings-1271-sixth-to-full-occupancy/ July 17, 2021 Real Estate Weekly July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221819/https://rew-online.com/rockefeller-brings-1271-sixth-to-full-occupancy/ live Upper floors Offices thumb|Curtiss-Wright office in the building (1960)|alt=A Curtiss-Wright The seven lowest stories each have about 62000 ft2 of floor space. Each of the upper stories has around 28000 ft2 m2, largely uninterrupted by columns. These were among the largest floor slabs of any office building in New York City since World War II. All stairs and elevators are placed in the core, leaving the outer section of each floor available for use.Architectural Forum 1958 . 94 This improved the efficiency of each floor by allowing an open plan for the offices.Architectural Forum 1958 . 98 The arrangement of the building allowed high flexibility in planning interior offices. An office module in the building generally measured 48 by 56 in m, though these could be combined as necessary. The interior arrangement was inspired by that of the PSFS Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The firm Designs for Business was responsible for the design of Time Inc.'s space, which originally spanned 21 stories.Huxtable Ada Louise November 6, 1960 Some New Skyscrapers and How They Grew en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/06/100888528.pdf July 16, 2021 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174638/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/06/100888528.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live Time Inc. had to fit multiple small rooms and cubicles on each of its floors, but the company was largely able to fit these rooms and cubicles within the modular system. Square aluminum posts were installed in Time Inc.'s space, through which partition panels could be installed. The panels were made of a myriad of materials including wood, plastic, burlap, and glass, though they were initially not soundproof.Architectural Forum 1960 . 78–79 Mockups of the offices were manufactured at Astoria, Queens, as well as in Time Inc.'s earlier headquarters at 1 Rockefeller Plaza. The elevator lobbies on each of Time Inc.'s stories had different decorations.Architectural Forum 1960 . 78 The 28th floor also had a photo gallery where photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt worked.Grundberg Andy November 12, 1988 Alfred Eisenstaedt, 90: The Image of Activity en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/12/arts/alfred-eisenstaedt-90-the-image-of-activity.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221820/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/12/arts/alfred-eisenstaedt-90-the-image-of-activity.html live After Charles Eames designed the chairs for Time Inc.'s offices, he created a new chair design in 1961, which was nicknamed the Time-Life Chair.Colman David April 4, 2004 Possessed; When Form Follows Fundament en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/04/style/possessed-when-form-follows-fundament.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231834/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/04/style/possessed-when-form-follows-fundament.html live Eames designed them as a favor to Henry Luce, the founder of Time and Life magazines, who had allowed Eames to use photos from the Time-Life archives for the pavilion he designed at the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow.http://www.dwr.com/product/eames-executive-chair-vicenza-leather.do Eames Executive Chair Design Within Reach October 17, 2016 April 23, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160423215156/http://www.dwr.com/product/eames-executive-chair-vicenza-leather.do live The chairs remain in production during the 21st century, albeit with modifications for stability and to meet updated product codes.Carlson Jen April 1, 2015 Some Things You May Not Know About The Time-Life Building, Where Mad Men Is Set http://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/some-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-time-life-building-where-mad-men-is-set July 16, 2021 Gothamist July 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718052858/https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/some-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-time-life-building-where-mad-men-is-set dead Other offices in the building originally included the second-story offices of the Gilman Paper Company, designed by SLS-Environetics and connected to the lobby by an escalator. The vestibule at the top of the escalators had stainless-steel wall and a carpet that extended across the floor and part of the walls. Gilman's reception area had an angular reception desk and lighting fixtures made of stainless steel. Gilman's offices had ceilings measuring 13 ft tall, with angular furniture, sculpted ducts and lighting elements, exposed structural beams, and a color-coding scheme to distinguish the different departments.Horsley Carter B. November 27, 1977 Playing Some New Angles in the Office en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/27/archives/playing-some-new-angles-in-the-office.html September 1, 2021 September 1, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210901134309/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/27/archives/playing-some-new-angles-in-the-office.html live The Rockefeller Group also has an office on the 24th floor, which was redesigned in 2020 by the firm of Fogarty Finger. The Rockefeller Group's offices include a reception area with dark woods and a pantry designed in a mid-century modern style. There are open plan workspaces with dropped ceilings, as well as executive offices and meeting spaces with glass walls.Baird-Remba Rebecca Rockefeller Group Gets New Offices in the Former Time-Life Building Commercial Observer February 23, 2020 https://commercialobserver.com/2020/02/rockefeller-group-new-offices-1271-avenue-of-the-americas/ August 8, 2024 Auditorium Gio Ponti designed an auditorium at the setback above the eighth floor, along with an adjoining kitchen, dining room, reception area, and lounge. This space was meant for meetings with advertisers and corporate and sales functions.Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 400–402Architectural Forum 1960 . 81 The space was arranged with walls at irregular angles and originally had colored glass-block walls and Sicilian paintings. The auditorium itself had a domed ceiling, while the ceiling in the adjoining spaces contained brass motifs. The floors were yellow with green and blue streaks, and geometric wooden furniture was specially designed for the space. The auditorium was closed by 1981, and the furniture was sold.April 16, 2018 A Gio Ponti Design Created for a New York Icon Has a Happy Landing at Salone Del Mobile https://www.wallpaper.com/design/gio-ponti-reissue-molteni-and-c-salone-del-mobile July 16, 2021 Wallpaper* July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716231832/https://www.wallpaper.com/design/gio-ponti-reissue-molteni-and-c-salone-del-mobile live It was redesigned by Davis, Brody & Associates in 1983 and became a conference center.May 1983 Corporate Conference Facilities https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1983-05.pdf Oculus 44 13–14 9 July 16, 2021 August 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210812031021/https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1983-05.pdf live Hemisphere Club and Tower Suite thumb|Hemisphere Club (1960)|alt=Stools around a bar in the building's Hemisphere Club The Hemisphere Club and Tower Suite shared a space on the 48th floor, which was designed by George Nelson & Company.Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 403March 12, 1961 Restaurant Gives Diners City View R11 The New York Times 0362-4331 115246526 During the day, the Hemisphere Club was a 250-seat private club for executives that, when the building opened, charged $1,000 for initiation and $360 in annual fees thereafter.Bread-And-Circuses Operation That Pays Off Life April 7, 1961 0024-3019 https://books.google.com/books?id=-FEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74 July 16, 2021 74 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133333/https://books.google.com/books?id=-FEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74 liveDanovich Tove April 30, 2012 The Hemisphere Club / Tower Suite on Mad Men http://www.eater.com/2012/4/30/6591447/the-hemisphere-club-tower-suite-on-mad-men October 17, 2016 Eater October 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221134/http://www.eater.com/2012/4/30/6591447/the-hemisphere-club-tower-suite-on-mad-men live This made the Hemisphere Club one of several private clubs at the tops of New York City skyscrapers.McGrath Charles Charles McGrath (critic) May 26, 2005 A Lunch Club for the Higher-Ups en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/26/garden/a-lunch-club-for-the-higherups.html July 16, 2021 September 9, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170909135452/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/26/garden/a-lunch-club-for-the-higherups.html live In the evenings, the restaurant space opened to the public as the Tower Suite, which originally offered meals for $8.50 per person. The restaurant was operated by Restaurant Associates. George Nelson designed special chairs for the restaurant, which apparently were never manufactured. Since the windows split the view from the 48th floor into many sections, the space was designed with window embrasures. The New Yorker reported several years after the Tower Suite's opening that "a butler in a black tailcoat and a maid in a fluffy white apron" visited every table seven days a week.Hellman Geoffrey T. Directed to the Product The New Yorker October 9, 1964 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1964/10/17/directed-to-the-product July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133335/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1964/10/17/directed-to-the-product live When the restaurant opened, Craig Claiborne of The New York Times called it "for the most part, excellent";Claiborne Craig Craig Claiborne January 23, 1961 Restaurant on Review: Visual Delight; Tower Suite Opens on 48th Floor of Time, Life Building Six-Course Meal Found Excellent Once and Uneven Once en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1961/01/23/archives/restaurant-on-review-visual-delight-tower-suite-opens-on-48th-floor.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133336/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/01/23/archives/restaurant-on-review-visual-delight-tower-suite-opens-on-48th-floor.html live by 1970, New York magazine had called it "the baneful cumulus atop Time Inc."November 2, 1970 Doom at the Top https://books.google.com/books?id=5eICAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48 New York Magazine New York Media, LLC 48 0028-7369 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133334/https://books.google.com/books?id=5eICAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48 live According to New York Times food critic Florence Fabricant, the Tower Suite may have originated the trend of servers introducing themselves to guests.Fabricant Florence Florence Fabricant September 13, 1995 Love Theme Restaurants? Here's the Man to Thank en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/13/garden/love-theme-restaurants-here-s-the-man-to-thank.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133333/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/13/garden/love-theme-restaurants-here-s-the-man-to-thank.html live When business at the Hemisphere Club declined with the construction of taller buildings in the area, the space was renovated so it could function as a dining hall at night. Dinners at the Tower Suite cost $11.50 per person in 1970, but they had increased to $70–130 per person by 1990.Directory March 4, 1991 New York Magazine New York Media, LLC 0028-7369 https://books.google.com/books?id=H-kCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63 63 July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133334/https://books.google.com/books?id=H-kCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA63 live The Hemisphere Club closed in the 1990s.Holson Laura M. September 30, 2015 Condé Nast Colonizes Lower Manhattan en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/fashion/conde-nast-one-world-trade-center.html July 17, 2021 March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050729/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/fashion/conde-nast-one-world-trade-center.html live History The media firm Time Inc. had been housed at 1 Rockefeller Plaza since 1937, when that building had opened as part of the construction of Rockefeller Center.. Krinsky 1978 93March 31, 1937 Rockefeller Unit Ready For Opening en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/03/31/94347746.pdf November 27, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174639/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/03/31/94347746.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live As early as 1946, it had sought to develop the site of the Hotel Marguery at 270 Park Avenue for a 35-story headquarters designed by Harrison & Abramovitz, though the plans did not come to fruition.Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 397–398Postal 2002 . 3 By 1953, Time Inc. was set to outgrow its existing space in 1 Rockefeller Plaza within a year, and it wanted to have its headquarters in a single building.. Krinsky 1978 111 Time Inc. seriously considered relocating to Westchester County, a northern suburb of New York City, as well as to a suburb of Philadelphia. By November 1955, the company had decided to stay in New York City because of the large number of transportation options there. Construction thumb|Seen from 49th Street (2012)|alt=1271 Avenue of the Americas as seen from 49th Street Once Rockefeller Center Inc.'s managers learned of Time Inc.'s predicament, they hired Harrison & Abramovitz to create plans for a building on Rockefeller Center Inc.'s vacant plot that could house both NBC and Time. The plans involved creating several elevation drawings as well as a 15-minute film. NBC ultimately dropped out of the project because its CEO, David Sarnoff, dissented.. Krinsky 1978 112 Rockefeller Center Inc. acquired the Roxy Theater in August 1956.Architectural Forum 1958 . 94–96September 1, 1956 The Roxy Is Sold in 6 Million Deal; Rockefeller Center, Inc., Buys Theatre and Leases It to Present Management Theatre Opened in 1927 en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/01/archives/the-roxy-is-sold-in-6-million-deal-rockefeller-center-inc-buys.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715215348/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/01/archives/the-roxy-is-sold-in-6-million-deal-rockefeller-center-inc-buys.html liveSeptember 1, 1956 Roxy Sold for $6,200,000 To Rockefeller Center Unit A7 New York Herald Tribune 1328104840 That December, officials announced the construction of the Time-Life Building. When the plans were announced, Time had leased 600,000 ft2 in the building,December 14, 1956 Rockefeller Center 47-Story Skyscraper Planned for Time, Inc.: Cost of New Headquarters Put at $70 Million; Occupancy Scheduled for 1959 4 The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 132215904 and American Cyanamid, Shell Oil Company, McCann-Erickson, and Esso had already made lease agreements for other floors. The developers had already ordered 27,000 tons of structural steel to be delivered in early 1958. Time Inc. and Rockefeller Center Inc. formed a joint venture, Rock-Time Inc., to share the tower's rental income. Rockefeller Center had the majority stake of 55 percent, and Time Inc. had the remaining 45 percent.Life 1960 . 19 Harrison & Abramovitz filed plans for the building in March 1957.March 9, 1957 Architects File Plans For Time, Life Building en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/09/archives/architects-file-plans-for-time-life-building.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192251/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/09/archives/architects-file-plans-for-time-life-building.html liveWhile the architects gave a cost estimate of $45 million in the filing, the developers had announced the building's cost at $70 million. A groundbreaking ceremony occurred on May 16, 1957, marking the start of excavation.May 17, 1957 Ground Is Broken on Time-Life Site en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1957/05/17/archives/ground-is-broken-on-timelife-site.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192253/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/05/17/archives/ground-is-broken-on-timelife-site.html liveMay 17, 1957 Balloons Add Flourish To Start of Building 10c The Hartford Courant 564111537 By the following month, the building was 70 percent leased, and Curtiss-Wright and Westinghouse Electric Corporation had become tenants.June 20, 1957 New Time-Life Offices Leased A8 New York Herald Tribune 1327266528 The Rockefeller Center Sidewalk Superintendents' Club, composed of members of the public who wanted to observe Rockefeller Center's construction, was revived after having been dormant for seventeen years.Wald Richard C. June 24, 1957 Hostess Flowers Seats Canopy For Sidewalk Superintendents 1 New York Herald Tribune 1337733368 The actress Marilyn Monroe presided over the club's inaugural ceremonies that July.Hyams Joe July 3, 1957 Waiting for Marilyn—As Usual: 2 1/4 Hours Late at Time-Life Building Ceremony; Reporter Tells What Makes Miss Monroe Tardy A1 New York Herald Tribune 1327130163July 3, 1957 MM's Late for Blast, So a Rockefeller Blows 4 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79669117/mms-late-for-blast-so-a-rockefeller/ July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79669117/mms-late-for-blast-so-a-rockefeller/ live The site was excavated to a depth of 40 ft, where there was a layer of Manhattan schist. By November 1957, the excavations were largely complete; the Rockefeller Foundation had leased offices and two tenants had expanded their lease commitments.November 14, 1957 Time, Life Tower Now 82% Leased: Fund to Occupy Large New Area B5 New York Herald Tribune 1326273580November 14, 1957 Building Going Up Now 82% Rented: The Rockefeller Foundation Takes Floor and a Half in Time-Life Structure Other Business Leases en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1957/11/14/archives/building-going-up-now-82-rented-the-rockefeller-foundation-takes.html July 15, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715192249/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/11/14/archives/building-going-up-now-82-rented-the-rockefeller-foundation-takes.html live Rockefeller Center Inc. chairman Nelson Rockefeller and Time Inc. president Roy E. Larsen announced details of the design the same month.November 21, 1957 Time & Life Building Plans Ready 16 New York Herald Tribune 1325312410 Construction on the Time-Life Building's superstructure started in April 1958.April 4, 1958 Time-Life Building Gets First Steel en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/04/04/82682657.pdf December 4, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174641/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/04/04/82682657.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live That August, the Equitable Life Assurance Society lent the project's developers $50 million. At the time, it was the largest-ever financing on a single real-estate parcel.August 14, 1958 50-Million Loan On Time Tower A6 New York Herald Tribune 1328112133 The structure topped out in November of that year.November 25, 1958 Time-Life Building Tops Out at 587-Ft. With a Yule Tree en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/11/25/82217749.pdf December 4, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174641/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/11/25/82217749.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live The next April, Time Inc. sublet six of the 21 floors under its control. The building was 92 percent leased by then, including the space that was being sublet.April 20, 1959 Skyscraper Space Open; Six Tower Floors in Time-Life Building Will Be Sublet en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1959/04/20/archives/skyscraper-space-open-six-tower-floors-in-timelife-building-will-be.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005658/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/04/20/archives/skyscraper-space-open-six-tower-floors-in-timelife-building-will-be.html live The Time-Life Building's cornerstone was laid in June 1959, at the southeast corner of the building, after the superstructure had been completed.June 24, 1959 Cornerstone Set At 48-Story Time & Life Bldg 13 New York Herald Tribune 1325265785June 24, 1959 Cornerstone Set For Skyscraper en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/06/24/80587375.pdf December 4, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174640/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/06/24/80587375.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live Late 20th century The first tenant, the American Cyanamid Company, began moving into the tower in October 1959.October 23, 1959 Time & Life Building To Get First Tenant en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1959/10/23/archives/time-life-building-to-get-first-tenant.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005652/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/10/23/archives/time-life-building-to-get-first-tenant.html live Over the next couple of months, tenants began moving into the building and the final interior design elements were installed. By that December, the construction fence around 1271 Avenue of the Americas had been dismantled and several companies had occupied their space.December 22, 1959 Time's Tenants Begin Moving In en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/12/22/80568328.pdf December 4, 2017 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174640/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/12/22/80568328.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live Additional leases were announced in January 1960, including one storefront.January 29, 1960 Time-Life Space Let to 4 Tenants: Office and Store Deals Are Negotiated – 770 Broadway Now Is Fully Occupied en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/29/archives/timelife-space-let-to-4-tenants-office-and-store-deals-are.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005656/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/29/archives/timelife-space-let-to-4-tenants-office-and-store-deals-are.html live A passageway from the basement to the subway station opened the next month. Life magazine moved into the building that April, writing that its new headquarters was "a victory in the fight to improve down-at-the-heels Sixth Avenue". Ultimately, Time Inc. was able to sublet part of its space to more than forty firms.March 13, 1960 Time Tower Closes Many Lease Deals: Over 40 Firms Sublease Space 1C New York Herald Tribune 1324075614 By late 1961, the building was almost completely occupied.October 16, 1961 Time & Life Space Taken en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1961/10/16/archives/time-life-space-taken.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716233611/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/10/16/archives/time-life-space-taken.html live La Fonda del Sol had moved out of the Time & Life Building to a smaller location by early 1971.Claiborne Craig Craig Claiborne January 8, 1971 Dining Guide: The Winds of Change en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/08/archives/dining-guide-the-winds-of-change.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717144535/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/01/08/archives/dining-guide-the-winds-of-change.html live The restaurant space was replaced by a Seaman's Trust bank branch. The bank was so popular that, in three weeks, it performed six months' worth of transactions. Although Life magazine stopped publishing in 1972,Carmody Deirdre December 9, 1972 Tears and Reminiscing Meet News of Closing en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1972/12/09/archives/tears-and-reminiscing-meet-news-of-closing-tears-and-reminiscing.html July 16, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717144531/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/12/09/archives/tears-and-reminiscing-meet-news-of-closing-tears-and-reminiscing.html live the building retained its name, and the former Life space was quickly taken by the company's other publications, such as People and Money.Lenzner Robert May 9, 1974 Magazine Population Exploding 1 Boston Globe 518981067 A U.S. Steakhouse restaurant designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects opened in the building in 1975 and was slightly renovated a few years later.Goldberger Paul Paul Goldberger December 15, 1977 Design Notebook en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/15/archives/design-notebook.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717144533/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/12/15/archives/design-notebook.html live By 1981, Time Inc. occupied about 1,000,000 ft2 of space and some of its divisions, such as HBO, had to be housed in other buildings.Smith Randy August 3, 1981 HBO Joins Nets with Home on Broadcast Row 37, 38 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81653962/hbo-joins-nets-with-home-on-broadcast/ July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81653962/hbo-joins-nets-with-home-on-broadcast/ live The eighth-floor auditorium was renovated in 1983. An electric cooling system was also added in the early 1980s to supplement the original steam-powered cooling system. Time Inc. sold its 45 percent ownership stake in December 1986 to the Rockefeller Group for $118 million. Time Inc. planned to use some of the proceeds from the sale for other purchases such as stock buybacks.Reuters News Service December 30, 1986 Time Sells Stake in Skyscraper Publishing Company Will Lease Space in Time-Life Building C1 Orlando Sentinel 276956400Lipman Joanne December 30, 1986 Time Inc. Sells Its 45% Interest In Headquarters --- Rockefeller Group Pays $118 Million; Sum Set As Gain in 4Th Quarter 1 The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 398034954 In the same transaction, Time Inc. extended its lease from 1997 to 2007, with an option to extend its lease by another ten years, to 2017.Barsky Neil December 30, 1986 Time Sells Building Share 134 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81654302/time-sells-building-share/ July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221821/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81654302/time-sells-building-share/ live Time Inc. executed its option to extend its lease in 1999.June 30, 1999 Time Warner's Ripp, Of Publishing Unit, To Be Finance Chief 7 The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 398824059Oser Alan S. August 18, 1999 Commercial Real Estate; Magazine Moving Out as Time Inc. Shuffles Offices en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/18/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-magazine-moving-out-as-time-inc-shuffles-offices.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221814/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/18/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-magazine-moving-out-as-time-inc-shuffles-offices.html live At the time, the company occupied 80 percent of the Time & Life Building and it had rented space at the adjacent 135 West 50th Street. The two buildings were to be connected internally on the second floor as part of a $190 million renovation. A natural-gas cooling system was added in 2000; at the time, it was New York City's only building with three cooling sources. 21st century thumb|alt=Scaffolding around 1271 Avenue of the Americas while it was undergoing renovation in 2018|The building, undergoing renovation during 2018 By August 2001, Time Inc. was part of AOL Time Warner and occupied 98 percent of the building's space. That month, AOL Time Warner subsidiary CNN and the Rockefeller Group agreed to convert a former Chase Manhattan Bank branch at the base into a two-story CNN television studio.Blair Jayson August 9, 2001 CNN Studios Get Down to Rivals' Level: Midtown Streets en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/09/nyregion/cnn-studios-get-down-to-rivals-level-midtown-streets.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717211154/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/09/nyregion/cnn-studios-get-down-to-rivals-level-midtown-streets.html live In July 2002, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the lobby interior as a city landmark.. Postal 2002 1 Municipal Art Society executive director Frank E. Sanchis III prompted the Rockefeller Group to support the preservation of the lobby. At the time, the lobby was being renovated by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects for $40 million. The renovation involved combining two storefronts into a waiting lounge, as well as creating a secure area around the elevators.Dunlap David W. David W. Dunlap June 17, 2002 Press 'L' for Landmark; Time & Life Lobby, A 50's Gem, Awaits Recognition en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/17/nyregion/press-l-for-landmark-time-life-lobby-a-50-s-gem-awaits-recognition.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716133334/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/17/nyregion/press-l-for-landmark-time-life-lobby-a-50-s-gem-awaits-recognition.html live The CNN studio opened in September 2002,Dunlap David W. David W. Dunlap September 29, 2002 Studios: Many Plans, a Few Completions en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/realestate/studios-many-plans-a-few-completions.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716140758/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/realestate/studios-many-plans-a-few-completions.html liveHuff Richard September 19, 2002 At CNN Opening, Fox Ready for a Street Fight 106 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81653377/at-cnn-opening-fox-ready-for-a-street/ July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81653377/at-cnn-opening-fox-ready-for-a-street/ live with scenic design by Production Design Group.October 13, 2002 Corrections en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/realestate/c-corrections-363197.html September 5, 2021 September 5, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210905162514/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/realestate/c-corrections-363197.html live The Ted's Montana Grill restaurant opened in 2006 on the ground level.August 11, 2020 Restaurant Chain Renews with Rockefeller https://rew-online.com/restaurant-chain-renews-with-rockefeller/ July 17, 2021 Real Estate Weekly July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221815/https://rew-online.com/restaurant-chain-renews-with-rockefeller/ live In May 2014, Time Inc. announced it was planning to leave the Time & Life Building for the Brookfield Place complex in lower Manhattan.Levitt David M. May 22, 2014 Time Inc. To Move to Lower Manhattan's Brookfield Place https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-22/time-inc-to-move-to-lower-manhattan-s-brookfield-place October 17, 2016 Bloomberg April 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160419025835/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-22/time-inc-to-move-to-lower-manhattan-s-brookfield-place liveMorris Keiko May 23, 2014 Time Inc. To Leave Midtown After 55 Years en-US The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303980004579577870753311840.html July 15, 2021 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174640/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303980004579577870753311840 live The following year, Time Inc. moved out of its offices,Dunlap David W. November 6, 2015 Time Inc.'s Record of the 20th Century, In Thousands of Boxes, Is Moving en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/nyregion/time-incs-record-of-the-20th-century-in-thousands-of-boxes-is-moving.html April 28, 2022 and the Rockefeller Group announced a $325 million renovation of the entire building, designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.November 19, 2015 Let There Be Light: Rockefeller Plans $325M Renovation at Former Time & Life Building https://therealdeal.com/2015/11/19/let-there-be-light-former-time-life-building-to-get-325m-rennovation/ live July 15, 2021 The Real Deal New York en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20160810141959/http://therealdeal.com/2015/11/19/let-there-be-light-former-time-life-building-to-get-325m-rennovation/ August 10, 2016 As part of the renovation, the architects created a new entrance on Sixth Avenue, repaved the plaza, and replaced the facade. All 30 elevator cabs were replaced with new cabs whose ceiling design was an homage to the 51st Street canopy.1271 Avenue of the Americas National Elevator Cab & Door Corp https://necd.com/1271-avenue-of-the-americas December 17, 2024 The Rockefeller Group also restored the lobby and renamed the building to its address. Time Inc. removed a time capsule that had been embedded in the building when its cornerstone was laid.Barron James James Barron (journalist) June 25, 2017 The Time to Retrieve Time's Time Capsule Is at Hand en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/25/nyregion/the-time-to-retrieve-times-time-capsule-is-at-hand.html July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221818/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/25/nyregion/the-time-to-retrieve-times-time-capsule-is-at-hand.html live The time capsule included contemporary objects such as magazines, photography books, a pencil, and a microfilm about the Rockefeller Center complex.Kerrie Mitchell Opening TIME's Capsule: The Past and Future of the Time Inc. Records New-York Historical Society November 17, 2023 https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/opening-times-capsule-time-inc-records August 20, 2024 Glarner's and Albers's paintings were restored, and the floors, ceilings, and signs were modified to match the original design.From the South Lobby Onward (And Upward): 1271 Avenue of the Americas Rockefeller Group March 6, 2018 https://www.rockefellergroup.com/news/from-the-south-lobby-onward-and-upward-1271-avenue-of-the-americas/ March 18, 2022 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174640/https://www.rockefellergroup.com/news/from-the-south-lobby-onward-and-upward-1271-avenue-of-the-americas/ live The building was completely vacant by the beginning of 2018.Betsy Kim November 22, 2017 Mizuho Americas Expands by 270,000 SF at Rockefeller Center https://www.globest.com/sites/betsykim/2017/11/22/mizuho-americas-expands-by-270000-sf-at-rockefeller-center/ July 18, 2021 GlobeSt en July 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718051708/https://www.globest.com/sites/betsykim/2017/11/22/mizuho-americas-expands-by-270000-sf-at-rockefeller-center/ dead The renovation was nearly completed by 2019, and the building was fully leased at that time.Kim Betsy June 7, 2019 Rockefeller Group's 1271 Sixth Ave. Nearly 100% Occupied https://www.globest.com/2019/06/07/rockefeller-groups-1271-sixth-ave-nearly-100-occupied/ live July 15, 2021 GlobeSt en https://web.archive.org/web/20200517230410/https://www.globest.com/2019/06/07/rockefeller-groups-1271-sixth-ave-nearly-100-occupied/ May 17, 2020 The building's major tenants included financial firms such as American International Group,Geiger Daniel June 7, 2019 Rockefeller Group Fills Huge Hole on Sixth Avenue https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/rockefeller-group-fills-huge-hole-sixth-avenue live July 15, 2021 Crain's New York Business https://web.archive.org/web/20190716121926/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/rockefeller-group-fills-huge-hole-sixth-avenue July 16, 2019 Greenhill & Co.,Rizzi Nicholas June 7, 2019 Investment Bank Greenhill & Co. Takes 78K SF in Midtown Commercial Observer https://commercialobserver.com/2019/06/greenhill-co-lease-1271-avenue-of-the-americas-rockefeller-group/ June 8, 2019 June 8, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190608174510/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/06/greenhill-co-lease-1271-avenue-of-the-americas-rockefeller-group/ live H.I.G. Capital,Rizzi Nicholas April 5, 2019 Private Equity Firm H.I.G. Capital Relocating to 58K SF Within Midtown Commercial Observer https://commercialobserver.com/2019/04/h-i-g-capital-lease-1271-avenue-of-the-americas-rockefeller-group/ July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716045356/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/04/h-i-g-capital-lease-1271-avenue-of-the-americas-rockefeller-group/ live and Mizuho Financial Group.November 20, 2017 Mizuho Takes Another 270K Sf at Rockefeller's 1271 Sixth https://therealdeal.com/2017/11/20/mizuho-takes-another-270k-sf-at-rockefellers-1271-sixth/ live July 16, 2021 The Real Deal New York en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20171121021952/https://therealdeal.com/2017/11/20/mizuho-takes-another-270k-sf-at-rockefellers-1271-sixth/ November 21, 2017 The other tenants included law firms Blank RomeLa Guerre Liam May 15, 2018 Law Firm Blank Rome Leaving Chrysler Building for 138K SF in Midtown Commercial Observer https://commercialobserver.com/2018/05/law-firm-blank-rome-leaving-chrysler-building-for-138k-sf-in-midtown-west/ July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716045349/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/05/law-firm-blank-rome-leaving-chrysler-building-for-138k-sf-in-midtown-west/ live and Latham & Watkins,La Guerre Liam April 30, 2018 Latham & Watkins Leases 407K SF in Midtown Relocation Commercial Observer https://commercialobserver.com/2018/04/latham-watkins-leases-407k-sf-in-midtown-relocation/ July 16, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715165310/https://commercialobserver.com/2018/04/latham-watkins-leases-407k-sf-in-midtown-relocation/ liveMorris Keiko April 29, 2018 Latham & Watkins Moving Their New York Offices en-US The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 https://www.wsj.com/articles/latham-watkins-moving-their-new-york-offices-1525029041 July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221817/https://www.wsj.com/articles/latham-watkins-moving-their-new-york-offices-1525029041 live as well as multi-family office Bessemer Trust on the top seven floors.Baird-Remba Rebecca Wealth Manager Bessemer Trust Takes 239K SF in Midtown Commercial Observer September 27, 2018 https://commercialobserver.com/2018/09/bessemer-trust-1271-avenue-of-the-americas/ June 30, 2024 In addition, Major League Baseball moved its headquarters to the building,Bockmann Rich November 16, 2017 Major League Baseball Gives Back 75K Sf on Sixth Avenue The Real Deal https://therealdeal.com/2017/11/16/major-league-baseball-gives-back-75k-sf-on-sixth-avenue/ July 17, 2021 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715165310/https://therealdeal.com/2017/11/16/major-league-baseball-gives-back-75k-sf-on-sixth-avenue/ liveMorris Keiko October 20, 2016 Major League Baseball Expected to Move Headquarters to Midtown en-US The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 https://www.wsj.com/articles/major-league-baseball-expected-to-move-headquarters-to-midtown-1476923225 July 17, 2021 July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221815/https://www.wsj.com/articles/major-league-baseball-expected-to-move-headquarters-to-midtown-1476923225 live and it leased two stories in the building's base for use as an MLB store, which opened in 2020.Palmieri Jean E. October 1, 2020 Major League Baseball Opens First Permanent Flagship in New York https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/major-league-baseball-opens-first-permanent-flagship-in-new-york-1234614941/ July 16, 2021 Women's Wear Daily August 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210813015924/https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/major-league-baseball-opens-first-permanent-flagship-in-new-york-1234614941/ liveBentley Coleman October 2, 2020 The MLB's New Flagship Store in NYC Looks like Baseball Valhalla https://www.golfdigest.com/story/mlb-flagship-store-opens-in-new-york-city-baseball June 30, 2024 Golf Digest With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, the building stood largely empty for several months in 2020.Wilson Michael July 26, 2020 The Virus Turns Midtown Into a Ghost Town, Causing an Economic Crisis en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-time-life-building.html July 15, 2021 July 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210702062346/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-time-life-building.html live The building received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification the same year. The building was again fully leased by May 2021,May 24, 2021 Rockefeller Brings 1271 Sixth to Full Occupancy https://rew-online.com/rockefeller-brings-1271-sixth-to-full-occupancy/ October 23, 2021 Real Estate Weekly en-US July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221819/https://rew-online.com/rockefeller-brings-1271-sixth-to-full-occupancy/ live and the Greek restaurant Avra Estiatorio leased a two-story space at the base, which opened in June 2022.Salamone Gina Greek Restaurant Avra Opens Massive New Multi-Level Rockefeller Center Outpost in Manhattan New York Daily News June 13, 2022 https://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/ny-greek-restaurant-avra-opens-massive-rockefeller-center-location-manhattan-20220613-ichiyc7jejhlhezuds4b2lkrsm-story.html July 8, 2022Zachariadi Eirini Avra Estiatorio Rockefeller Center's Grand Opening Party June 9 The National Herald June 15, 2022 https://www.thenationalherald.com/avra-estiatorio-rockefeller-centers-grand-opening-party-june-9/ July 8, 2022 Another restaurant, Cuerno New York, opened in the building in 2025.Fabricant Florence Florence Fabricant Cuerno New York Brings Carne Asada to Midtown The New York Times 0362-4331 June 17, 2025 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/dining/nyc-restaurant-openings.html August 11, 2025Parabita Costanza Ferrari The Flavors Of Mexico Arrive At Rockefeller Center Via Cuerno New York Modern Luxury June 27, 2025 https://www.modernluxury.com/cuerno-new-york/ August 11, 2025 Impact Upon the building's completion, Architectural Forum wrote: "The building's character reflects a joining of partners, a marriage of uses, a meld of design, and a union between New York's two generic office-building types. [...] In skyscraper society, the Time & Life Building is upper-middle-class." New York Times critic Ada Louise Huxtable, writing in 1960, said that 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 28 Liberty Street, and 270 Park Avenue all had a "still too-rare esthetic excellence". Huxtable also characterized 1271 Avenue of the Americas' spaces as "flexible architectural anarchy". Another architectural critic, Carter B. Horsley, praised the lobby's design and materials, though he believed the facade had an inconspicuous, albeit "not terrible", design. The Time & Life Building's completion spurred the construction of similar office buildings along Sixth Avenue.Rosen Lew April 8, 1962 6th Ave. Construction Moves South of Rockefeller Center; Office Building Construction Destined Soon on Sixth Avenue Below Rockefeller Center en-US The New York Times 0362-4331 https://www.nytimes.com/1962/04/08/archives/6th-ave-construction-moves-south-of-rockefeller-center-office.html July 16, 2021 July 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716233609/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/04/08/archives/6th-ave-construction-moves-south-of-rockefeller-center-office.html live The architect Robert A. M. Stern wrote in his 1995 book New York 1960 that the building "marked the first key step" in the avenue's reconstruction.Stern Mellins Fishman 1995 . 10 Architectural Forum wrote that the building's completion "opens a wide frontier for an expanding city", leading the way for the construction of other large office buildings west of Sixth Avenue.Architectural Forum 1958 . 96 1271 Avenue of the Americas has appeared in several media works. The building was featured in the television series Mad Men as the fictional headquarters of the advertising agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (later Sterling Cooper & Partners).Wilson Michael July 25, 2010 City Room; Mad Men City: The Stories Behind the Stories: Time & Life Capsule https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E2DC1631F936A15754C0A9669D8B63 July 17, 2021 The New York Times 0362-4331 March 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174641/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9901E2DC1631F936A15754C0A9669D8B63.html live AMC, the network on which Mad Men airs, unveiled a bench in front of the building in 2015; it contains a sculpture of lead character Don Draper's black silhouette, as shown in the show's opening credits.Renner Eric http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/23/amc-unveils-draper-bench-outside-new-yorks-time-life-building AMC Unveils 'The Draper Bench' Outside New York's Time-Life Building EW.com March 23, 2015 October 17, 2016 December 22, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161222003149/http://ew.com/article/2015/03/23/amc-unveils-draper-bench-outside-new-yorks-time-life-building/ live The 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was partially set within the building.Stamp Elizabeth December 31, 2012 The Set Design of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/secret-life-of-walter-mitty-set-design-article July 17, 2021 Architectural Digest July 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717221815/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/secret-life-of-walter-mitty-set-design-article live See also List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets References Notes Citations Sources April 4, 1960 A New Home for 'Life'; Rockefeller Center Moves Toward West https://books.google.com/books?id=G08EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA2 17–23 0024-3019 Life 1960 Life Kayden Jerold S. https://books.google.com/books?id=OpeNSAfYASoC&pg=PA9 Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience The Municipal Art Society of New York Wiley 2000 978-0-471-36257-9 Krinsky Carol H. Carol Herselle Krinsky Rockefeller Center Oxford University Press 1978 978-0-19502-404-3 https://books.google.com/books?id=7xlDAQAAIAAJ Matthew A. Postal http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2119.pdf Time-Life Building New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission July 16, 2002 Stern Robert A. M. Robert A. M. Stern Mellins Thomas Fishman David https://archive.org/details/newyork1960archi0000ster registration New York 1960: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Second World War and the Bicentennial 1995 Monacelli Press 1-885254-02-4 32159240 1130718M 397–403 January 1958 Two Notable New Office Buildings for Manhattan, 2: A Tall Tower for Time Inc. https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1958-01.pdf Architectural Forum 94–99 108 Architectural Forum 1958 August 1960 Two-Purpose Tower https://usmodernist.org/AF/AF-1960-08.pdf Architectural Forum 110 75–81 Architectural Forum 1960 External links http://www.1271AoA.com/ Category:1959 establishments in New York City Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certified buildings Category:Magazine headquarters Category:Mass media company headquarters in the United States Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan Category:New York City interior landmarks Category:Office buildings completed in 1959 Category:Rockefeller Center Category:Sixth Avenue Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Manhattan Category:1950s architecture in the United States