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Through Don Draper’s Eyes: A Tour of the Time & Life Building of the 1960s

1 minute read
Before email, dispatches from an international network of stringers and reporters would arrive around the clock to the machines in this room, which were then sent to editors at TIME.
Before email, dispatches from an international network of stringers and reporters would arrive around the clock to the machines in this room, which were then sent to editors at TIME.Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
By Alexander Ho

In anticipation of the Mad Men season 6 premiere on AMC this Sunday night, TIME brings to you a rare insider’s tour of the Time & Life Building in the 1960s—the setting of everyone’s favorite mid-century ad agency, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The Time & Life Building, designed by the Rockefeller family’s architects, Harrison & Abramowitz & Harris, opened in 1959, meaning that Don Draper et al. were some of its earliest (fictional) occupants. Time Inc. magazines like TIME, Fortune, People and Sports Illustrated still call the building home—but it must be said that, six decades later, hardly anything seen there today can match the sleek, ambitious style that defined the place, and the people who worked there, when 1271 Avenue of the Americas first opened its doors.

Let's travel back to the 1960s—a time when everything was in grayscale—and breathe in a bit of the decadent air suffusing Don Draper's work life. Looks like that fellow on the right needs a break—so let's stretch our legs and take a stroll around the office with him.
Let's travel back to the 1960s—a time when everything was in grayscale—and breathe in a bit of the decadent air suffusing Don Draper's work life. Looks like that fellow on the right needs a break—so let's stretch our legs and take a stroll around the office with him.Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Here we see an art department hard at work. The work rooms, like the rest of the building—both inside and out—represented the epitome of mid-century Modernism: clean lines, rejection of ornamentation, and a mix of streamlined materials such as stainless steel and prefab walls.
Here we see an art department hard at work. The work rooms, like the rest of the building—both inside and out—represented the epitome of mid-century Modernism: clean lines, rejection of ornamentation, and a mix of streamlined materials such as stainless steel and prefab walls.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Although the office's design mirrored Modernism's celebration of function over form, it also represented what was the most decadent and sought-after in the era's aesthetic. For instance, the reception lounges outside of the work spaces were luxurious, sleek and inviting.
Although the office's design mirrored Modernism's celebration of function over form, it also represented what was the most decadent and sought-after in the era's aesthetic. For instance, the reception lounges outside of the work spaces were luxurious, sleek and inviting.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Even just waiting for the elevator to arrive was a transcendent and striking visual experience, from floor to ceiling.
Even just waiting for the elevator to arrive was a transcendent and striking visual experience, from floor to ceiling.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Workers could swing by the first floor of the building for lunch at La Fonda del Sol, a Latin-American themed restaurant designed by Alexander Girard, supplemented with Eames furnishings.
Workers could swing by the first floor of the building for lunch at La Fonda del Sol, a Latin-American themed restaurant designed by Alexander Girard, supplemented with Eames furnishings.Yale Joel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Servers presented a cornucopia of dishes and lavish cuts of meat to guests in front of a mod, typographically embellished wall.
Servers presented a cornucopia of dishes and lavish cuts of meat to guests in front of a mod, typographically embellished wall.Yale Joel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Its proximity to the offices certainly allows for power lunches with important clients and guests.
Its proximity to the offices certainly allows for power lunches with important clients and guests.Yale Joel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Anyway, it's time to get back to business, but let's take a moment to marvel at the ceiling of this elevator bank.
Anyway, it's time to get back to business, but let's take a moment to marvel at the ceiling of this elevator bank.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
On to the next meeting— but let's take a moment to gaze at this gleaming space-age lobby ...
On to the next meeting— but let's take a moment to gaze at this gleaming space-age lobby ... Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
... and then head into the building's auditorium, where screenings and large-scale presentations take place.
... and then head into the building's auditorium, where screenings and large-scale presentations take place.Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Yep, bumping shoulders with soon-to-be presidents ("Oh, hey there, JFK!") roaming the halls of the building. Just another day at work.
Yep, bumping shoulders with soon-to-be presidents ("Oh, hey there, JFK!") roaming the halls of the building. Just another day at work.Margaret Norton—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Eames was commissioned to design this particular reception space and it features specially designed furnishings for the building. The stool on the left and the appropriately named Time-Life Chair on the right are still in production today through Herman Miller.
Eames was commissioned to design this particular reception space and it features specially designed furnishings for the building. The stool on the left and the appropriately named Time-Life Chair on the right are still in production today through Herman Miller. Margaret Norton—Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Here's Editor-in-Chief Henry Luce's handsomely minimal office, featuring a wall-sized world map.
Here's Editor-in-Chief Henry Luce's handsomely minimal office, featuring a wall-sized world map. Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Technicians at LIFE magazine processed incoming film from around the world at the labs housed within the building.
Technicians at LIFE magazine processed incoming film from around the world at the labs housed within the building.Andreas Feininger—Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Before email, dispatches from an international network of stringers and reporters would arrive around the clock to the machines in this room, which were then sent to editors at TIME.
Before email, dispatches from an international network of stringers and reporters would arrive around the clock to the machines in this room, which were then sent to editors at TIME.Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Here in this conference room, a couple of LIFE magazine staffers discuss the pages in layouts.
Here in this conference room, a couple of LIFE magazine staffers discuss the pages in layouts.Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Time for a break from work again—let's wander around the ground floor lobby and check out what's going on there.
Time for a break from work again—let's wander around the ground floor lobby and check out what's going on there.Walter Daran—Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
You can marvel at this mural, "Relational Painting #88", by painter Fritz Glarner.
You can marvel at this mural, "Relational Painting #88", by painter Fritz Glarner.Andreas Feininger—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
...or check out an exhibit of Alfred Eisenstaedt's photographs hanging on the walls of the lobby.
...or check out an exhibit of Alfred Eisenstaedt's photographs hanging on the walls of the lobby.Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
...or lounge around by the window and watch the folks waiting in line in front of Radio City.
...or lounge around by the window and watch the folks waiting in line in front of Radio City.Bill Maris—Esto
... or even head to the reading room in the mezzanine to have a little bit of quiet time.
... or even head to the reading room in the mezzanine to have a little bit of quiet time.Bill Maris—Esto
Grab a seat outside for a little bit of sun. (Note the Don Draper look-alike on the right.)
Grab a seat outside for a little bit of sun. (Note the Don Draper look-alike on the right.)Andreas Feininger—Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
Not that we recommend it, but you could go a little wild and dip your feet in the fountains outside the building. (Notice the businesses across the street: a cafeteria, a tailoring shop and a bar—pretty much all you need to get through the day: a little bit of food, a well-fitted suit and a stiff drink.)
Not that we recommend it, but you could go a little wild and dip your feet in the fountains outside the building. (Notice the businesses across the street: a cafeteria, a tailoring shop and a bar—pretty much all you need to get through the day: a little bit of food, a well-fitted suit and a stiff drink.)Bill Ray—Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
If the streets just don't cut it for you—you can head back in the building to the top floor and grab a bite at the Hemisphere Club. (During the day, it's exclusive to those who work in the building.)
If the streets just don't cut it for you—you can head back in the building to the top floor and grab a bite at the Hemisphere Club. (During the day, it's exclusive to those who work in the building.)Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc./Library of Congress
If the day's a bit rough, grab a drink at the bar.
If the day's a bit rough, grab a drink at the bar. Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc./Library of Congress
The club's got fantastic views of city. Central Park's to the north ...
The club's got fantastic views of city. Central Park's to the north ...Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
... and the Empire State Building is to the south.
... and the Empire State Building is to the south. Courtesy of Time Inc. Archives
The Time-Life Building—definitely a handsome place to work. (That's it, in the middle in this picture.) Thanks for visiting!
The Time-Life Building—definitely a handsome place to work. (That's it, in the middle in this picture.) Thanks for visiting!Walter Daran—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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