Bulding Address: | 285 W Broadway |
Building Alternate address: | 285 W Broadway |
Zip Code: | 10013 |
Neighborhood: | Tribeca |
Borough: | Manhattan |
Stories: | 6 |
Year Built: | 1915 |
Building Class: | B |
Block & lot: | 00211-0018 |
285 West Broadway, also known as the Rawitser Building, is a distinctive Beaux-Arts style property located at the southeast corner of Canal Street and West Broadway in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. Originally completed in 1915, the building was designed by the architectural firm Brunner & Tryon.
The Rawitser Building was initially constructed as a six-story "brick store and loft," prominently featuring a brick façade with decorative elements characteristic of the Beaux-Arts style. The building’s design includes a chamfered corner with a notable storefront entrance crowned by a round opening adorned with elaborate carvings. Cast-iron show windows on the ground floor provide abundant natural light to the retail spaces, while the upper floors are divided by prominent cornices and faced with buff brick that mimics the banded stone of the lower levels. The top two floors are particularly ornate, with arched pediments, lion heads, blind roundels, and floral carvings accentuating the façade.
Historically, 285 West Broadway housed a variety of tenants including manufacturers like the International Arithmachine Co., which produced early hand-held calculators, and other commercial occupants such as window shade manufacturers and retailers. The building also played host to cultural venues like the Roberts Arts Gallery and the Canal Room music venue, as well as the Smoke Stacks Lightnin’ bar and the Tsubaki House jazz cabaret through the 20th century.
In the late 1980s, the building was converted from its original industrial use to creative office space. Today, it offers approximately 50,000 square feet of Class B office space across six floors, accommodating tenants in sectors such as media, public relations, advertising, architecture, and design. Its location at the corner of Canal Street and West Broadway provides excellent access to multiple subway lines and proximity to the vibrant retail and dining scene in Tribeca.
285 West Broadway, Manhattan, New York City
285 West Broadway, also known as the Rawitser Building, is a six-story Beaux-Arts class B office building located at the corner of West Broadway and Canal Street in Tribeca, Manhattan. It was originally constructed in 1915 and designed by the architectural firm Brunner & Tryon.
Building Details
- Address: 285 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
- Building Class: B
- Floors: 6 stories
- Building Size: Approximately 50,000 square feet
- Typical Floor Size: 9,200 square feet
- Year Built: 1915
- Architect: Brunner & Tryon
Architectural and Historical Significance
The Rawitser Building features a buff brick facade with limestone piers and Beaux-Arts decorative elements including carved lions’ heads, blind roundels, and floral motifs. It has a prominent storefront entrance with round openings and cast-iron show windows that provide abundant natural light to retail spaces on the ground floor. Historically, the building has been home to diverse tenants including early 20th-century manufacturers, galleries, bars, and restaurants.
Location and Accessibility
Situated at the southeast corner of Canal Street and West Broadway, the building is in the heart of Tribeca. It offers convenient access to multiple subway lines via the nearby Canal Street station serving the A, C, E, F, N, Q, R, and W lines, as well as several bus routes. The neighborhood is known for a vibrant mix of offices, retail, dining, and cultural venues.
Current Use
The building currently houses creative office tenants and dining establishments, maintaining its status as a mixed-use property in this historic district of Manhattan.
- Beaux-Arts architecture
- Converted industrial space (1980s)
- Ground-floor restaurant (Canal Street Oysters)
- Creative office layouts
- Abundant natural light
- 9,200 SF floor plates
- Proximity to Canal Street subway station
- Bike room (assumed from nearby listings)
- Storage facilities (assumed from nearby listings)
- Midtown South neighborhood advantages
285 West Broadway, also known as the Rawitser Building, is a historic Beaux-Arts property in Tribeca, Manhattan. The building features Class B office space across six floors.
Notable tenants have included:
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
- Bestype Printing NYC
- Partizan
- Stuntman Public Relations
- Imagemme
- Sputnik
- Canal Street Oysters restaurant (ground floor)
Other historical tenants include the International Arithmachine Co., Richard J. Cullen (window shade manufacturer), George W. Heath & Co. (pen manufacturers), and S. L. Van Wezel (diamond-cutting establishment).
The building offers 50,000 square feet of office space, with 9,200-square-foot floor plates and ample natural light.
The Rawitser Building is located at the corner of West Broadway and Canal Street, providing easy access to major subway lines.
Internet providers available at 285 W Broadway, Tribeca, Manhattan, NYC:
- Verizon Fios: Known for high speeds up to 2 Gbps and reliable service.
- Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Offers both cable and fiber services with unlimited data usage.
These providers offer a range of plans suitable for different needs, from basic internet use to high-speed requirements.
285 W Broadway, Manhattan, NYC - Transportation and Cross Streets
Location: Corner of West Broadway and Canal Street, Tribeca neighborhood, Manhattan, NY 10013
Cross Streets: West Broadway & Canal Street
Subway Access
The nearest subway station is Canal Street, located directly across the street from 285 W Broadway.
Subway lines serving Canal Street station include: A, C, E, F, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, J.
Another Canal Street station nearby also provides access to the N, Q, R, W lines.
Bus Routes
Several bus routes have stops within a short walking distance:
- BXM18
- M1
- M20
- M55
- SIM34
- SIM1C
- SIM1
- SIM3C
- SIM4C
- SIM33C
- X27
- X28
- 206, 314
Nearby bus stops include:
- Avenue Of the Americas / West Broadway (2 min walk)
- 6 Av / Lispenard St (2 min walk)
- Varick St at N Moore St (4-5 min walk)
- Varick & Franklin St (5 min walk)
- Spring St (nearby)
Train Access
The PATH train serves nearby stations, providing additional regional transit options.
Walking Distances to Nearby Subway Stations
- Canal Street station: 4-minute walk
- Franklin Street station: 6-minute walk
- Spring Street station: 7-minute walk