1271 Avenue of the Americas

1271 Avenue of the Americas is a 48-story modern skyscraper with a facade of glass and limestone in Manhattan's Rockefeller Center area. The exterior walls display alternating patterns that give the building its distinctive appearance.

Architect Wallace Harrison designed this building in 1959 as the Rockefeller Center expanded westward across Sixth Avenue. The project helped keep the Time Inc headquarters at this location as the complex grew.

The lobby displays artworks by Josef Albers and Fritz Glarner set against marble surfaces and geometric floor patterns. These pieces create a contemplative space for people passing through.

The lobby entrance is accessible from street level and provides an open space for passing through the complex. The building is designed to handle steady foot traffic with clear circulation paths for visitors and workers.

The exterior plaza features white and gray paving patterns inspired by the sidewalks of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. This design choice brings an unexpected touch of Brazilian coastal style to Manhattan's streetscape.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1958

Architects: Wallace Harrison, Max Abramovitz

Official opening: 1959

Architectural style: modern architecture

Floors above the ground: 48

Floors below the ground: 3

Elevators: 37

Part of: Rockefeller Center

Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Website: http://1271AoA.com

GPS coordinates: 40.76056,-73.98111

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:30