| Building Address: | 16480 12th Avenue, New York NY 10001 |
| Zip Code: | 10001 |
| Neighborhood: | Chelsea |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 2 |
| Year Built: | 2008 |
| Building Class: | B |
History of 16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
16480 12th Avenue in Manhattan is the location of the former Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) Powerhouse, an iconic Beaux-Arts style building constructed in 1904 by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White. This monumental structure was originally built to power New York City's first subway line and upon its completion more than a century ago, it was the largest powerhouse in the world.
The building occupies an entire city block bounded by 11th and 12th Avenues and West 58th and 59th Streets, reflecting the grand ambition of early 20th-century urban infrastructure. Its architectural design features a granite base, brick facades, two-story arched windows, and terracotta moldings and keystones, with six chimneys originally designed to echo the smokestacks of nearby Hudson River steamships. Though the original six chimneys were removed in 2009, one large chimney built in 1967 remains.
The structure was designed not only as a functional industrial facility but also with aesthetic grandeur to encourage public acceptance of the subway, which was a new mode of transportation at the time. The architectural style and craftsmanship embody the ideals of the City Beautiful movement, which held that beautiful, monumental buildings would promote civic virtue and pride.
Today, while the plant no longer powers the subway, it continues to serve Consolidated Edison’s steam operations. In 2017, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the former IRT Powerhouse a city landmark, marking it as the first power plant in the city to receive such status. This designation protects the building’s historic architecture and ensures its preservation as a testament to New York City's engineering and architectural heritage.
16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
Located in Manhattan, New York City, 16480 12th Avenue offers modern office spaces with a variety of amenities designed to support professional environments.
- Landscaped Roof Deck
- Laundry Facilities
- Pet Friendly
- Concierge Services
- Secure Entry System
- High-speed Elevators
- Resident Lounge
The building provides a secure and convenient working atmosphere, ideal for businesses requiring well-maintained office facilities.
Amenities at 16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
- Fully furnished single-occupancy rooms and apartments
- Private and shared bathroom options depending on building section
- Private kitchens in studio and one-bedroom apartments
- Communal spaces for studying, socializing, dining, and community events
- Daily housekeeping and cleaning services available for private rooms
- In-window air conditioning units available for rent (no central AC)
- All-gender housing options with inclusive floors and suites
- Common areas promoting cross-cultural understanding and community engagement
- Furnishings include bed, desk, chair, dresser, bookcase, lamp, linens, blanket, pillow, and towels
- Shared bathrooms in South building with multiple toilets and shower stalls per floor
- Quiet hours enforced from 11:00 PM to 9:00 AM on all floors
Office Tenants Rented / Leased at 16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
The building located at 16480 12th Avenue in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan is a 2-story Class B office building constructed in 2008.
Office space rental rates by type and class include:
| Type of Space |
Class A Rent |
Class B Rent |
Class C Rent |
| Windowed office/person |
$2,000/mo |
$1,250/mo |
$750/mo |
| Interior office/person |
$1,250/mo |
$750/mo |
$500/mo |
These rates reflect the leasing activity for office tenants at this location.
Internet providers servicing 16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC include:
- Verizon Fios: Offers fiber-optic internet with speeds starting at 300 Mbps up to 2 Gbps. Known for fast symmetrical speeds and competitive pricing. Covers approximately 85.3% of Manhattan, including most residential areas.
- Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Provides cable and fiber internet services with unlimited data usage. Known for low prices and gigabit plans, covering most of Manhattan except some areas like Washington Heights and Roosevelt Island.
- Spectrum: Widely available across Manhattan with cable and fiber options. Offers speeds up to 1 Gbps and competitive bundles including TV and phone services. Spectrum coverage is ubiquitous, reaching about 82.7% of the borough.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Fixed wireless internet service with speeds ranging from 72 to 245 Mbps. Available in much of Manhattan but with some dead zones especially indoors due to signal interference.
These providers use a combination of fiber, cable, and fixed wireless technologies offering a variety of speed and pricing options suitable for different internet usage needs in the Manhattan area.
Transportation near 16480 12th Avenue, Manhattan, NYC
Located in Chelsea, Manhattan, 16480 12th Avenue is accessible by several public transportation options for convenient travel throughout New York City.
Nearest Subway Stations
- 137 St-City College Station — approximately 7 minutes walking distance
Bus Routes Serving the Area
- M14A SBS (Select Bus Service)
- M14D SBS
- M12
- M7
- M11
- M42
Nearby Cross Streets
The site is near intersections including 12th Avenue and surrounding streets typical of the Chelsea neighborhood grid.
Nearby Office Tenants Leased- Boston Consulting Group leased 193,295 SF at 10 Hudson Yards
- WebMD Health leased 90,000 SF at 111 Eighth Ave
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities leased 7,800 SF at 14 Penn Plaza
- Rosewood Hotels & Resorts leased 5,700 SF at 330 Seventh Ave
- City Frames Inc leased 4,900 SF at 259 W 30th St
- The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreting Service leased 2,842 SF at 275 Seventh Ave
- Night Castle Management leased 2,200 SF at 307 Seventh Ave
- MANHATTAN KANGDA TCM CENTER leased 2,100 SF at 223-225 W 35th St
- Edition Schellmann, Inc. leased 1,552 SF at 210 Eleventh Ave
- Episode Four, Llc leased 500 SF at 224 W 29th St
Nearby Retail Tenants Leased- Sweetgreen leased 2,000 SF at 10 Hudson Yards
