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Rent/Lease Apartment 285 Lafayette St

Tenant Broker’s Perspective: Return-to-office mandates are driving up rental prices at 285 Lafayette St. This trend is projected to continue. Opportunities for subleases remain available at 285 Lafayette St and in the nearby Nolita neighborhood.

285 Lafayette St Property Overview

Building Address: 285 Lafayette St, New York NY 10012
Zip Code:10012
Neighborhood:Nolita
Borough:Manhattan
Stories:0
Year Built:1900
Building Class:B

Historical Overview

Originally constructed in 1912 (with some sources citing late 1800s origins as the Hawley & Hoops chocolate factory), 285 Lafayette Street underwent conversion into a luxury condominium in the early 2000s. The building spans 10 stories and contains 31 residential units alongside 30,000 square feet of retail space currently occupied by the New York Public Library and Ralph Lauren.

Architectural Features

The property retains industrial character from its early 20th-century design while incorporating modern luxury elements. Notable features include eight penthouses with 26-foot ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces, and private terraces. The 800-square-foot lobby features a 10-foot white onyx countertop, and the building offers a landscaped rooftop garden.

Notable Residents

The building gained fame as home to David Bowie and Iman during their New York residency. Its location at the southeast corner of Houston Street places it adjacent to the historic Puck Building in Manhattan's NoLIta neighborhood.

Modern Conversion

Following a 2004 renovation, the full-service condominium now includes 24-hour doorman/concierge services and luxury amenities. The structure blends adaptive reuse of early industrial architecture with contemporary residential design.

285 Lafayette Street

Location: SoHo-Nolita, Manhattan, NY 10012

Year Built: 1886 (originally Hawley & Hoops chocolate factory)

Converted: 1999 to luxury condos

Features:

  • 10-story pre-war condominium
  • 21 residences
  • Full-service building with 24-hour doorman/concierge
  • Original industrial details: exposed brick, column-free spaces
  • Common landscaped roof deck
  • Private entry from Mulberry Street

Building Amenities:

  • Concierge
  • Full-time Doorman
  • Elevators
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Common Garden
  • Common Outdoor Space
  • Common Roof Deck
  • Heat Included
  • Hot Water Included
  • Intercom

Unit Features:

  • Washer & Dryer in Units
  • Pets Allowed
  • Rentals Allowed

285 Lafayette Street, located in the iconic SoHo district of Manhattan, NYC, is a historic building constructed in 1886. This 10-story building is primarily known for its residential appeal but also hosts office spaces. It is situated south of the famous Puck Building, making it a highly sought-after location for both residential and commercial purposes. The building features a mix of upscale condominiums and office rentals, offering a unique blend of lifestyle and business opportunities in a vibrant neighborhood.


Internet Providers at 285 Lafayette St, Manhattan, NYC

Residents and tenants at 285 Lafayette Street have access to several high-quality internet service providers, including:

  • Verizon Fios: Offers high-speed fiber-optic internet with symmetrical speeds ranging from 300 Mbps up to 2 Gbps, ideal for streaming, gaming, and remote work.
  • Astound Broadband (powered by RCN): Provides both cable and fiber internet services with unlimited data usage and competitive pricing, covering much of Manhattan.
  • Spectrum: Widely available cable internet provider in Manhattan offering speeds up to 1 Gbps and affordable plans starting around $30 per month.

285 Lafayette Street in Manhattan, NYC, is a convenient location with several transportation options available:

Public Transit:

  • Subway: Nearby stations include the Broadway-Lafayette Street (B, D, F, M trains), and other close options are the Bleecker Street (6 train) and Spring Street (4, 6 trains).
  • Bus: Buses M1, M103, and M21 pass near this location.

Cross Streets: The building is located near the intersection of East Houston Street and Lafayette Street.


Retail Tenants Rented / Leased 285 Lafayette St
  • New York Public Library leased 16,000 SF
  • Inked leased 3,155 SF
Nearby Office Tenants Leased
  • WeWork leased 10,800 SF at 540 Broadway
  • Studs leased 10,524 SF at 594 Broadway
  • The Huffington Post leased 10,250 SF at 560 Broadway
  • Marathon Strategies LLC leased 10,200 SF at 38 East 29th St
  • Barrows leased 10,000 SF at 817 Broadway
  • Rimes Technologies leased 10,000 SF at 134 Spring St
  • Light Iron Digital leased 10,000 SF at 580 Broadway
  • Knotel, Inc leased 9,826 SF at 116 West Houston St
  • Avalanche Studios leased 9,705 SF at 536 Broadway
  • The Farm Soho leased 9,429 SF at 447 Broadway

Nearby Retail Tenants Leased
  • La Colombe Torrefaction leased 1,500 SF at 400 Lafayette St
  • Sabon NYC leased 1,500 SF at 458 Broadway
  • Blue Gorilla leased 1,200 SF at 87 East Houston Street
  • Debut leased 1,100 SF at 298 Mulberry St
  • Bath Junkie leased 1,100 SF at 227 Mulberry St
  • James Famularo, Eastern Consolidated leased 1,080 SF at 21 Thompson Street
  • Luana Italy leased 1,026 SF at 155 Spring Street
  • Dunderdon leased 1,000 SF at 270 Lafayette St
  • David Zahabian leased 500 SF at 401 Broadway
  • Staya Jewelry leased 500 SF at 449 Broadway
Retail Tenants Rented / Leased 285 Lafayette St
  • New York Public Library leased 16,000 SF
  • Inked leased 3,155 SF
Nearby Office Tenants Leased
  • WeWork leased 10,800 SF at 540 Broadway
  • Studs leased 10,524 SF at 594 Broadway
  • The Huffington Post leased 10,250 SF at 560 Broadway
  • Marathon Strategies LLC leased 10,200 SF at 38 East 29th St
  • Barrows leased 10,000 SF at 817 Broadway
  • Rimes Technologies leased 10,000 SF at 134 Spring St
  • Light Iron Digital leased 10,000 SF at 580 Broadway
  • Knotel, Inc leased 9,826 SF at 116 West Houston St
  • Avalanche Studios leased 9,705 SF at 536 Broadway
  • The Farm Soho leased 9,429 SF at 447 Broadway
Nearby Retail Tenants Leased
  • La Colombe Torrefaction leased 1,500 SF at 400 Lafayette St
  • Sabon NYC leased 1,500 SF at 458 Broadway
  • Blue Gorilla leased 1,200 SF at 87 East Houston Street
  • Debut leased 1,100 SF at 298 Mulberry St
  • Bath Junkie leased 1,100 SF at 227 Mulberry St
  • James Famularo, Eastern Consolidated leased 1,080 SF at 21 Thompson Street
  • Luana Italy leased 1,026 SF at 155 Spring Street
  • Dunderdon leased 1,000 SF at 270 Lafayette St
  • David Zahabian leased 500 SF at 401 Broadway
  • Staya Jewelry leased 500 SF at 449 Broadway

Panelz USA Testimonial

Panelz USA testimonial To whom it may concern, I want to thank Dorothy Kolev and Optimal Spaces Inc. for the excellent job they did in finding us our space. Dorothy made many presentations to us but never lost interest or gave up, she was fast and efficient in locating spaces that met our needs and corporate image, aggressive in negotiating on our behalf, and effective in communicating our needs to the landlord and getting our offer accepted. We are very satisfied with the services of Optimal Spaces Inc. I have recommended her and Optimal Spaces Inc. to friends and colleagues. Sincerely, David Yagerman Panelz USA SHOWROOM 20 West 22nd St, Suite 908 New York, NY 10010
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Alone or with other broker

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