If you’ve ever walked down the western edge of Soho where the sidewalk starts to feel a bit wider and the buildings get significantly bulkier, you’ve probably stared right at 161 Avenue of the Americas. It doesn't scream for attention like a glass skyscraper in Hudson Yards. Honestly, it doesn't have to.
This 15-story giant, often referred to as the Butterick Building, is a massive slab of New York City history that has managed to stay relevant while the neighborhood around it shifted from industrial grit to high-end luxury. It’s a beast of a structure. We’re talking about roughly 233,000 square feet of space sitting right at the intersection of Spring Street and Sixth Avenue. For decades, it has served as a silent anchor for the Hudson Square submarket.
People usually find themselves looking up 161 Avenue of the Americas because they’re either interviewing for a job at a creative agency or they’re trying to figure out why a building in such a prime location looks like it was built to withstand a siege. There's a reason for that.
The Industrial DNA of the Butterick Building
Most people don't realize this building was a powerhouse of the printing industry. Back in 1903, when it was completed, it was the headquarters for the Butterick Publishing Company. If you ask your grandmother about "Butterick patterns," she’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. They basically invented the graded sewing pattern.
They needed floor plates that could handle the weight of massive printing presses. That is why 161 Avenue of the Americas feels so solid. You can feel the density of the concrete. The ceilings are high—sometimes 12 to 14 feet—because they needed to clear heat and fumes from the machinery. Today, that same industrial necessity is what makes it a goldmine for tech companies and architects who hate the "cubicle farm" vibe of Midtown.
Ownership has changed hands a few times, which is typical for Manhattan real estate of this scale. Stellar Management and Gluck+ have put serious work into the building over the last decade. They didn't just slap a coat of paint on it; they reimagined the lobby and upgraded the infrastructure to support the massive data needs of modern tenants. It’s funny how a building designed for 19th-century printing presses ended up being perfect for 21st-century fiber optics.
What it's Like Inside 161 Avenue of the Americas Today
If you walk inside today, you’re greeted by a lobby that tries to bridge that gap between "old New York" and "Silicon Alley." It’s sleek. It’s professional. But it still retains that sense of scale.
The tenant roster is a revolving door of high-profile creative and tech firms. Over the years, big names like NARS Cosmetics, Global Citizen, and various Estée Lauder subsidiaries have called this place home. Why? Because the floor plates allow for an open-office layout that actually works. You aren't constantly bumping into load-bearing columns every five feet.
The light is the real selling point. Because 161 Avenue of the Americas sits on a prominent corner and isn't immediately choked out by taller buildings on all sides, the natural light pouring through those oversized windows is incredible. If you’re a designer or a creative director, that’s basically the holy grail of office spaces.
The Hudson Square Transformation
You can't talk about this building without talking about the neighborhood. For a long time, this area was just "the place near the Holland Tunnel." It was noisy, truck-heavy, and sort of a dead zone for retail.
That has completely flipped.
The rezoning of Hudson Square in 2013 changed everything. It allowed for more residential development and brought in a wave of high-end amenities. Now, if you work at 161 Avenue of the Americas, you’re steps away from some of the best coffee shops and lunch spots in the city. You’ve got the Ear Inn nearby for a post-work drink—which, if you haven't been, is one of the oldest operating taverns in the city. It’s that mix of "suit-and-tie" business and "jeans-and-sneakers" creativity that defines this specific block.
The Real Estate Reality of Sixth Ave
Let's talk numbers, but not in a boring way. Space in a building like 161 Avenue of the Americas isn't cheap. You’re looking at Class A office pricing in a submarket that is currently competing with Chelsea and the Meatpacking District.
Lease rates in this corridor can fluctuate wildly depending on the floor and the view, but you’re generally looking at figures that reflect the premium of being in Soho-adjacent territory. The vacancy rates in Hudson Square have historically been lower than the city average because the supply of these "big-boned" industrial conversions is limited. They aren't making any more 1903 printing warehouses.
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is just another generic office building. It’s not. It has a "Beyer Blinder Belle" level of architectural respect. The brickwork and the cornices tell a story of a time when New York was the world's workshop.
Misconceptions About the Location
A lot of people confuse this building with its neighbors. It’s right near the 155 Avenue of the Americas and the surrounding Trinity Real Estate holdings. But 161 has a distinct personality. It feels a bit more "boutique" despite its size.
Another mistake? Thinking the traffic from the Holland Tunnel makes it a nightmare. Look, it’s Manhattan. Traffic is a given. But the building's entrance on the Avenue of the Americas is actually surprisingly accessible. The subway access is top-tier. You have the C and E trains basically at your doorstep at Spring Street, and the 1 train is a short walk away at Canal or Houston.
- Proximity to Transit: Excellent (C, E, 1, N, R, W)
- Vibe: Industrial Chic / Corporate Creative
- Best Feature: Ceiling height and natural light
Why Businesses Keep Choosing 161 Avenue of the Americas
Stability. In a city where buildings are torn down or "glass-boxed" every other year, 161 Avenue of the Americas offers a sense of permanence. It’s a landmark building that hasn't lost its soul.
When NARS Cosmetics took over a massive chunk of space here, it sent a signal. It told the market that luxury brands don't just want Fifth Avenue storefronts; they want high-functioning, cool headquarters where their employees actually want to show up. The "commute-to-work" battle is real, and having an office in a building this beautiful is a legitimate recruiting tool.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
If you are a business owner looking at space here, or just a real estate nerd tracking the neighborhood, keep these points in mind:
1. Check the Load Factors. If you’re in a specialized industry (like high-end showrooms or light tech assembly), the floor loads at 161 are superior to modern glass towers. Take advantage of that.
2. Negotiate the Build-out. Many of the spaces in this building have been pre-built with high-end finishes. If you’re looking to move, try to find a "plug-and-play" sublease or a direct deal where the landlord has already done the heavy lifting on the HVAC and lighting.
3. Explore the "Lesser" Floors. Everyone wants the top floor for the view. But in 161 Avenue of the Americas, the mid-level floors often have better architectural details and slightly more competitive rates.
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4. Visit the Neighborhood at 10 AM and 6 PM. Don't just look at the building during lunch. See how the Holland Tunnel traffic actually affects the block during peak hours so you can plan your logistics accordingly.
5. Leverage the Branding. Using "The Butterick Building" on your letterhead carries a weight that "Suite 402" in a generic building never will. It connects your brand to New York's history of innovation and manufacturing.
This building isn't just a place to park a laptop. It is a piece of the city's backbone. Whether you're there for the history or the high-speed internet, 161 Avenue of the Americas remains a masterclass in how to keep a century-old building at the top of the New York real estate game.