| Building Address: | 151 East 25th Street, New York NY 10010 |
| Zip Code: | 10010 |
| Neighborhood: | Gramercy Park |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 7 |
| Year Built: | 1895 |
| Building Class: | B |
History of 151 East 25th Street, Manhattan, NYC
The building at 151 East 25th Street, originally known as the Lexington Building or the 25th Street Power House, was constructed in 1895. Designed by architect J. William Schickel in the Italian Renaissance style, this seven-story structure was initially built as a state-of-the-art powerhouse for the Lexington Avenue cable car line in Manhattan.
Its architecture features a dignified Renaissance Revival design clad in speckled "Pompeiian" brick, trimmed with limestone and terra cotta, with large arched openings on the ground floors facing 25th and 26th Streets. The building includes exquisite terra cotta detailing and a central lightwell courtyard paved with white bricks to provide interior light and ventilation.
The powerhouse occupied the basement and first floor, housing boiler rooms with eight Babcock and Wilcox boilers and an engine room with steam engines used to power the cable cars. The upper floors were designed for office and factory use and constructed to support heavy machinery like printing presses. Early tenants included printing and publishing firms such as McClure's magazine, Robert Rutter & Son, William Launder, and The S. S. McClure Co., which occupied substantial space in the building.
In 1901, when the Lexington Avenue cable line converted to an electric streetcar, the building ceased to function as a power house and was repurposed as an electrical substation. Over the years, it hosted a variety of tenants including publishers, printers, embossing firms, and engraving companies. The building witnessed an industrial accident in 1926 involving an acid explosion in the Walker Engraving Company, a long-time tenant.
With the decline of streetcar use and the rise of buses and subways, the building's original transportation-related function ended by 1936. In the late 20th century, Baruch College purchased the building and undertook a significant renovation in the early 1990s, transforming it into the William and Anita Newman Library, which opened in 1994. The renovation preserved much of the historic architectural character while converting the space for academic use, including library facilities, offices, and a financial trading center.
Today, the building stands as an important architectural and historical landmark, reflecting its evolution from a critical piece of New York City's transportation infrastructure to a vibrant academic institution facility in the heart of Manhattan.
151 East 25th Street, Manhattan, NYC
William and Anita Newman Library, Baruch College (2nd-5th floors)
Newman Conference Center (7th floor)
Amenities at 151 East 25th Street, Manhattan, NYC
- 12-story building with 84,363 square feet of space
- Large windows providing abundant natural light
- 24/7 key card access for secure entry
- Two passenger elevators and a separate freight elevator with its own entrance
- Individual suites featuring conference rooms, private offices, hardwood floors, and exposed high ceilings
- 12th-floor penthouse suite with three skylights for enhanced natural lighting
- On-site property manager ensuring building operations and tenant support
- Security system in place for tenant safety
- Kitchen facilities available within the building
- Located within walking distance to multiple public transit options including the 23rd and 28th Street subway stations (Red, Orange, Blue Lines) and PATH Transit Stop
- Proximity to Penn Station, providing easy regional access
Tenants Rented / Leased at 151 East 25th Street, Manhattan, NYC
The building at 151 East 25th Street, historically known as the Lexington Building, has housed a variety of office and manufacturing tenants, primarily in publishing, printing, and related industries throughout its history.
Notable Historical Tenants
- McClure's Magazine – Occupied the sixth floor with offices and printing facilities, including 33,000 square feet of space in the early 1900s.
- The Publishers' Weekly – Took over the sixth floor in 1913 after McClure’s sale; shared space with the printing firm Andrew H. Kellogg Company.
- Andrew H. Kellogg Company – Printing firm sharing the sixth floor space with Publishers’ Weekly.
- Walcutt Brothers – Embossing firm occupying the third floor from 1913.
- Stuart Specialty Co. – Occupied the fourth floor starting in 1913.
- Frank A. Munsey – Publisher of New York Press and Argosy Magazine, among other titles, located in the building during the early 20th century.
- Famous Players-Lasky Corp. – Leased the fifth floor in 1918, during the peak of the silent film era.
- Walker Engraving Company – Occupied the seventh floor for many years, including the 1920s through the 1940s.
- Ever Ready Label Corporation – Tenant during the Great Depression period.
Other Uses
Originally constructed in 1895 as a power house for the Lexington Avenue cable car line, the basement and first floors housed the steam power plant, while the six upper floors were designed for office, warehouse, and manufacturing space, including heavy printing presses and related equipment.
Modern Use
Since 1994, the building has been renovated and repurposed by Baruch College to house the William and Anita Newman Library and academic offices. The building no longer functions as commercial office space leased to independent tenants.
Internet Providers at 151 East 25th Street, Manhattan, NYC
Residents of 151 East 25th Street in Manhattan have access to several top internet providers renowned for their speed, reliability, and coverage across the city.
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Verizon Fios
Offers fiber-optic internet with speeds starting at 300 Mbps and reaching up to 2 Gbps.
Known for high-speed symmetrical connections and 99.9% network reliability.
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Spectrum
Provides cable and fiber internet services with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Widely available across Manhattan, offering plans with no data caps.
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Astound Broadband Powered by RCN
Offers cable and expanding fiber internet coverage with unlimited data.
Known for competitive pricing and good deals in New York City.
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T-Mobile Home Internet
Delivers 5G home internet with typical speeds around 245 Mbps.
Available broadly in Manhattan with promotional offers.
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Earthlink
Provides high-speed internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps and unlimited data.
Full coverage across Manhattan.
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Starlink
Satellite internet service offering speeds up to 220 Mbps.
Nearly full availability in Manhattan, suitable where wired connections are limited.
These providers collectively cover a range of connection types including fiber, cable, 5G wireless, and satellite, ensuring multiple options for reliable and fast internet service at this address.
151 East 25th Street is located on the north side of East 25th Street, between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue in Manhattan, NYC.
Subway Access:
- 6 train to 23rd Street station (nearby)
- Other nearby subway lines include 4, R, N, Q, W trains accessible within walking distance
Bus Routes Serving Nearby Stops:
- BM2, BM3, M101, M102, M103
- M15-SBS, M23-SBS, M34A-SBS
- QM10, QM18, QM24
- Additional buses: BM1, SIM3, BM4, X63, X64
Nearby Bus Stops (Walking Distance):
- 3 Av / E 24 St
- 3rd Ave & E 23rd St
- E 23 St / 3 Av
- 2 Av / E 25 St
- E 23 St / Lexington Av
- 2nd Ave & E 23rd St
These transit options provide convenient access to 151 East 25th Street from various parts of Manhattan and surrounding boroughs.
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