Rent Office 295-309 Lafayette Street

History of 295-309 Lafayette Street, Manhattan, NYC

The Puck Building, located at 295–309 Lafayette Street in the Nolita and SoHo neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City, is an iconic Romanesque Revival structure originally designed by architect Albert Wagner and constructed between 1885 and 1886. Its architectural style also incorporates elements of the German Rundbogenstil.

The building occupies an entire city block bounded by Lafayette Street, Houston Street, Mulberry Street, and Jersey Street. It was initially built as a seven-story structure and later expanded with a nine-story annex to the south, designed by Herman Wagner to harmonize with the original façade.

Before the Puck Building was erected, the site housed St. Catherine's Convent, established in 1848 by the Sisters of Mercy. The location was at the southern edge of Manhattan's 19th-century printing district, a hub for publishers and lithographers due to its proximity to railroad freight terminals.

The building was commissioned by Joseph Keppler, the Austrian-born publisher of the satirical Puck magazine, which was a significant American humor publication in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The building housed both the Puck editorial offices and the J. Ottmann Lithography Company, which produced the magazine’s famous full-color images.

The original structure and its subsequent expansions were meticulously overseen by Wagner to maintain a cohesive design characterized by deep red brickwork, large round arches, granite and brownstone accents, cast-iron window frames, ornamental ironwork, and glass vaulted sidewalks that remain a distinctive feature.

One of the building’s most recognizable features includes two gilded statues of Puck, the magazine’s mascot, sculpted by Henry Baerer, which adorn the main entrances. These statues symbolize the satirical spirit of the publication.

In the late 1890s, the construction of Lafayette Street required cutting through the building’s original footprint, leading to partial demolition and alteration between 1897 and 1899. Despite these changes, the Puck Building retained its architectural integrity and continued as a center for publishing and printing until Puck magazine ceased publication in 1918.

Today, the Puck Building is a designated New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as one of the few surviving landmarks of New York’s historic publishing district and has been repurposed for office and residential use while preserving key architectural features such as its barrel-vaulted ceilings and original columns.

295–309 Lafayette Street, Manhattan, New York City

The Puck Building is a historic mixed-use property located at 295–309 Lafayette Street in the SoHo and Nolita neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City.

Designed originally by Albert Wagner in the Romanesque Revival style with Rundbogenstil elements, the building comprises a seven-story original northern section and a nine-story southern annex designed by Herman Wagner.

The building occupies an entire city block bordered by Lafayette Street, Houston Street, Mulberry Street, and Jersey Street, covering approximately 23,397 square feet (2,174 m²).

It is designated as a New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The site was formerly occupied by St. Catherine's Convent and was adjacent to the city's historic printing district.

The Puck Building is notable for its glass-and-iron vaulted sidewalks, particularly along Houston and Lafayette streets, many of which remain intact.

The building includes penthouse condominiums and office spaces, with a typical condo sized around 5,700 to 6,500 square feet and recent sales prices in the range of $22 million to over $32 million.

Public transit access is convenient, with the Broadway–Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street subway station located just outside the building.

Internet Providers for 295-309 Lafayette St, Manhattan, NYC

The Puck Building at 295-309 Lafayette Street in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan is serviced by several major internet providers offering a variety of connection types including fiber and cable.

Available Internet Providers

• Verizon Fios – Known for its high-speed fiber-optic internet, Verizon Fios offers plans starting at 300 Mbps up to 2 Gbps. It is highly rated for customer service and provides symmetrical upload and download speeds. Bundles with phone and TV services are also available starting around $34.99.
• Astound Broadband Powered by RCN – Offering both cable and fiber services, Astound Broadband is recognized for its competitive pricing and unlimited data usage on all plans. Fiber availability is expanding in Manhattan, covering most neighborhoods including SoHo. Plans start as low as $35/month with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps.
• Spectrum – A cable internet provider with broad coverage in Manhattan, including SoHo. Spectrum offers speeds up to 1 Gbps with plans starting around $30/month. Bundling options with TV and phone services include perks like Disney+ and ESPN+.
• Optimum – Known for some of the fastest speeds available in NYC, Optimum offers plans up to 8 Gbps in select areas, suitable for heavy internet users seeking premium service.

Connection Types Commonly Available

Residents and businesses in the Puck Building have access to these reliable options, with fiber-optic services like Verizon Fios and Astound Broadband being the top recommendations for speed and service quality in the area.

Transportation near 295-309 Lafayette St, Manhattan, NYC

The Puck Building at 295-309 Lafayette Street is conveniently located with multiple public transit options nearby in the Nolita and SoHo neighborhoods.

Subway Stations (Walking Distance)

• Broadway–Lafayette St (6 min walk) – Lines: 6, F, B, D, M
• Bleecker St (6 min walk) – Lines: 6, B, D, F, M
• Prince St (6-8 min walk) – Lines: N, R, W
• Spring St (5 min walk) – Line: C, E
• 2nd Avenue (5-7 min walk) – Line: F
• Astor Place (8 min walk) – Line: 6

Bus Stops Nearby

• East Houston St / Lafayette St (1 min walk)
• Lafayette St / East Houston St (1 min walk)
• Broadway / West Houston St (3 min walk)
• West Houston St / Mercer St (3 min walk)
• Bowery / East Houston St (4 min walk)

Bus Routes Serving the Area

• BM3, M1, M103, M55, M21
• BM2, BXM18, M15-SBS, QM11, QM25

Cross Streets

295-309 Lafayette Street occupies the block bounded by the following streets:

• West: Lafayette Street
• North: East Houston Street
• East: Mulberry Street
• South: Jersey Street