A miserable place? Possibly, but I think you haven't been around long enough to realise that most workplaces are "morsels" of something less than pleasure. It is work, after all. At least the place (and other airline offices) always had an air of anticipation of going somewhere or returning, a meeting place if you will. I've spent some time in a financial institution in Central, and there was never anything extra-ordinary about their break room, I can tell you. Same people, day after day.
Added: the biggest difference is that a lot of people at CX City (even those 50+ white guys, or especially them) are actually doing what they genuinely enjoy doing, a passion if you will.