You’ve probably walked past it. If you’ve ever rushed from Penn Station toward Bryant Park, or found yourself dodging tourists near Macy’s, you have definitely seen 1033 Avenue of the Americas. It’s that office building sitting right on the southwest corner of 39th Street. To a tourist, it’s just another glass and stone giant in the Midtown canyon. But if you’re in New York real estate or looking for office space that doesn’t cost an absolute fortune while still being "near everything," this spot is actually a fascinating case study in how Manhattan buildings survive and thrive.
It's not the Empire State Building. It’s not One Vanderbilt. It doesn't have a flashy observation deck or a celebrity-chef restaurant on the roof. Honestly? That is exactly why it stays relevant. It’s a workhorse.
What 1033 Avenue of the Americas Is (and Isn't)
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. This is a 12-story office building, also known as the Contemporary Building. It was built way back in 1925. Think about that for a second. In 1925, Calvin Coolidge was president, and the neighborhood looked completely different. Yet, the bones of this place are still holding up thousands of workers a century later. It’s got about 180,000 square feet of space. In the world of Manhattan skyscrapers, that’s actually pretty boutique. Small. Manageable.
The building is owned by the Adams & Company Real Estate group. These guys are old-school New York. They specialize in "Class B" office space. Now, don't let the "B" fool you into thinking it's a dump. In real estate speak, Class B just means it’s older and lacks the "wow" factor of a brand-new glass tower with a filtered-air humidity-controlled atrium. But for a tech startup, a garment showroom, or a law firm that wants to spend their money on talent rather than marble lobbies, 1033 Avenue of the Americas is the sweet spot.
Location is the real king here. You’re basically equidistant from Grand Central, Port Authority, and Penn Station. It’s a commuter’s dream. Or a commuter’s "least-bad-option," depending on how the MTA is running that day.
The Modern Face of an Old Space
Walking inside today feels a lot different than it would have in the 90s. The owners poured money into a massive renovation recently. We’re talking a new lobby, upgraded elevators, and a modernized facade. They had to. If you don't renovate in Midtown, you die. Or worse, you become a storage unit.
The lobby is now all clean lines and bright lights. It feels professional. It says "we have our act together" without saying "we charge $200 per square foot." That’s a delicate balance to strike in this city.
Who Actually Works Here?
The tenant mix is a weird, wonderful slice of New York business. Because of the floor plate sizes—about 13,000 to 17,000 square feet—you don't see massive conglomerates taking over five floors. Instead, you see mid-sized companies.
A few years back, the big news was Global Brands Group taking a massive chunk of space. They are a huge player in the apparel and brand management world. Think Disney, Calvin Klein, Under Armour—they handle the licensing and distribution for names like that. Having a tenant like that at 1033 Avenue of the Americas anchored the building's reputation. It proved that "cool" brands were happy to be on 6th Avenue south of 42nd Street.
You’ll also find architecture firms, tech consultants, and even medical offices. It’s a "suit and tie" building that's slowly becoming a "jeans and a blazer" building.
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Why the Garment District Connection Still Matters
Technically, 39th and 6th is the edge of the Garment District. For decades, this area was the literal heartbeat of American fashion. While the actual manufacturing moved overseas or to the outer boroughs a long time ago, the "brain" of the industry stayed here.
1033 Avenue of the Americas serves as a bridge. It’s close enough to the remaining showrooms on 7th Avenue but far enough east to feel like part of the more corporate Bryant Park submarket. It’s a strategic choice for businesses that need to be near the fashion world but want a slightly more polished Avenue of the Americas address.
The Reality of Renting at 1033 Avenue of the Americas
Let's talk numbers, but keep it real. If you’re looking for space here, you aren't paying the $150 per square foot prices of the Plaza District. Typically, rents in this building hover in the $50 to $65 per square foot range.
Is that cheap? No. It’s New York. Nothing is cheap. But compared to the $90+ you'd pay just four blocks north, it’s a bargain.
What do you get for that?
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- High ceilings. One of the perks of 1920s construction.
- Decent light. Since it’s a corner building, the north and east sides get great natural light. If you’re on the west side of the building, you’re mostly looking at the back of another building. That’s just the tax you pay for living in a grid.
- Operable windows. This is rare. Many modern towers are sealed shut. Here, you can actually crack a window and hear the sirens of 6th Avenue in all their glory. Some people hate the noise; some people need the fresh air to keep from losing their minds at 3:00 PM.
The "6th Avenue" Identity Crisis
Avenue of the Americas is a funny street. New Yorkers call it 6th Avenue. Only tourists and the Post Office call it Avenue of the Americas. The street itself is a mishmash of styles.
Down by 14th Street, it’s retail-heavy. Up by 50th Street, it’s "Corporate Row" with those massive, set-back plazas and fountains. 1033 Avenue of the Americas sits in the middle ground. It’s part of the dense, bustling stretch where the sidewalk is always crowded and there’s a halal cart on every corner.
This specific block is intense. You have the Lord & Taylor building (now converted to Amazon offices) just a block away. You have the constant flow of people moving toward the Bryant Park subway station. If you work at 1033, you are in the thick of it. You don't come here for peace and quiet. You come here because you want to be five minutes away from every subway line in the city.
The Bryant Park Factor
We have to talk about the park. Having Bryant Park as your "backyard" is the single biggest selling point for 1033 Avenue of the Americas.
In the summer, you can grab a sandwich and sit on the lawn. In the winter, there’s the ice rink and the holiday shops. It gives the office workers at 1033 a release valve. Without that park, this stretch of 6th Avenue would feel pretty claustrophobic. It’s the difference between a building being "fine" and a building being a place people actually want to commute to.
Common Misconceptions About the Building
A lot of people think older buildings like this are "un-wired" or slow. That’s a myth. Most of these 1920s structures have been gutted and refitted with fiber optics that would make a suburban office park jealous.
Another misconception: "It’s too far from the subway."
I’ve heard people say this because it’s not on top of a station. But honestly, you’re a three-minute walk from the B, D, F, M, 7, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, and 3 trains. If you can’t get to 1033 Avenue of the Americas, you probably just don't want to go to work.
What Really Matters for the Future
The office market in NYC is in a weird place right now. Remote work changed everything. But the buildings that are surviving are the ones with "character" and "convenience."
1033 Avenue of the Americas has both. It’s not a sterile, glass box. It has history. It has those slightly irregular floor plans that creative agencies love. And as long as people need to meet in person in Manhattan, being located at the nexus of all the major transit hubs is going to keep this building full.
It’s a survivor. It survived the Great Depression, the 70s fiscal crisis, the 2008 crash, and the pandemic.
Actionable Steps for Business Owners or Visitors
If you're considering this building or just spending time in the area, here is the ground-truth advice you need:
For Potential Tenants:
- Don't just look at the floor plan. Go there at 8:30 AM on a Tuesday. See how the lobby handles the rush. Check the elevator wait times. In a 12-story building, an elevator bottleneck can ruin your morning.
- Negotiate on the "build-out." Adams & Company is known for being reasonable, but they want long-term stability. If you want a specific "industrial" look with exposed brick, ask for it. These older buildings hide a lot of cool architectural details behind 1980s drywall.
- Check the HVAC. Ask specifically about the cooling systems. Older buildings sometimes struggle on those 95-degree July days. Make sure the unit in your potential suite is modern.
For Daily Visitors and Commuters:
- The Food Situation: Don't just eat at the chain spots on 6th Avenue. Walk one block over to 38th or 40th. There are some incredible "hole-in-the-wall" spots that cater to the garment workers—places where you can get a massive plate of food for half the price of a midtown salad.
- The Secret Entrance: If 6th Avenue is too crowded, remember that most of these corner buildings have side-street access or at least easier ways to navigate the crowds by sticking to 39th Street.
- The Bryant Park WiFi: If you need a break from the office, the park's free WiFi is surprisingly strong. It’s a legitimate place to take a "walking meeting" or answer emails when the weather is nice.
1033 Avenue of the Americas represents the "real" New York business world. It’s not the flashy headlines; it’s the place where the work actually gets done. It’s reliable, it’s accessible, and it’s got a lot more soul than the skyscrapers a few blocks north. Whether you're signing a lease or just passing by, it's worth a second look.