1271 Avenue of the Americas

1271 Avenue of the Americas, originally known as the Time & Life Building. Completed in 1959 and redeveloped in 2020, this mid-century masterpiece is fully occupied by top brands in business, finance, law, and entertainment, including AIG, Latham & Watkins, and Major League Baseball.

Historical Facts:

Iconic Mid-Century Modern Design: Completed in 1959 by the Rockefeller Group, the building was designed by the renowned architect Wallace Harrison of Harrison & Abramovitz. Its sleek International Style is a hallmark of mid-century modernism, characterized by the use of glass, aluminum, and steel.
Home to Time Inc.: The building served as the headquarters for Time Inc., the parent company of Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, and other influential magazines. The company’s presence helped solidify the building as a center of media and publishing in New York.
Part of the Rockefeller Center Expansion: 1271 Avenue of the Americas is part of the Rockefeller Center complex, which expanded in the 1950s to accommodate growing corporate demand. It stands as a testament to the continued growth of midtown Manhattan as a business district after World War II.
Renovation and LEED Certification: In 2019, the building underwent a major renovation led by the global architecture firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. The $600 million project included upgrades to make the building LEED Gold certified, adding energy-efficient systems while preserving its historic exterior.
Famous Tenants: Besides Time Inc., the building has been home to a number of prestigious tenants, including MLB Network, Latham & Watkins, and Dentsu Aegis Network, cementing its status as a hub for media, legal, and corporate entities.
Plaza and Public Art: The building features a public plaza on its western side, which is part of the broader trend in New York City of integrating public spaces into private developments. It has also displayed notable pieces of public art, including sculptures by Henry Moore and Richard Lippold.