You’ve probably walked past it a thousand times if you spend any time in Midtown. It’s that massive, vertical slab of dark glass and masonry that looms over Sixth Avenue, officially known as the Burlington House. Honestly, 1345 6th Ave NYC is one of those buildings that defines the "Corporate Row" aesthetic of the 1960s, but it’s managed to stay surprisingly relevant while other buildings from that era are basically crumbling or being gutted for condos.
It stands 625 feet tall. That’s fifty stories of prime Manhattan real estate sitting right between 54th and 55th Streets. If you look at the history of the Fisher Brothers—the family that owns and developed it—you realize this wasn’t just a random construction project. It was a statement. When it opened in 1969, it was the epitome of International Style architecture. Emery Roth & Sons, the firm behind the design, were the kings of this look. They didn’t do "frilly." They did functional, imposing, and efficient.
People often confuse it with its neighbors because, let’s be real, Sixth Avenue is a canyon of glass boxes. But 1345 6th Ave NYC has a specific gravity to it. It’s got that wide-set plaza with the fountains that tourists love to sit near when their feet give out after visiting MoMA just a block away.
The Architecture of Power at 1345 6th Ave NYC
Architecture critics back in the day weren't always kind to the "canyon" style of the Avenue of the Americas. They called it sterile. But from a business perspective? It was genius. The floor plates at 1345 6th Ave NYC are massive. We’re talking about roughly 40,000 square feet per floor in the lower section. You don't find that kind of contiguous space easily in older Midtown buildings.
The building uses a lot of dark tinted glass and brown masonry. It’s moody. It feels like the kind of place where high-stakes mergers happen behind closed doors, which, to be fair, they do. The Fisher Brothers have poured hundreds of millions into keeping it from becoming a relic. A few years back, they dropped a fortune on upgrading the plaza and the lobby. They brought in Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to handle the redesign.
The new lobby isn't just a hallway anymore. It’s an experience. They added this massive digital art installation that stretches across the wall, changing colors and patterns. It’s a sharp contrast to the rigid, 1960s exterior. It sort of tells you that while the bones are old, the tech inside is 2026-ready.
Who is actually inside?
It’s a powerhouse list. You’ve got AllianceBernstein, though they moved their HQ to Nashville, they kept a significant footprint here for a long time. Then there’s First Republic Bank (now part of JPMorgan Chase). Global asset managers and law firms love this address because it says "stability."
The vacancy rates here stay lower than the Midtown average. Why? Because the location is basically unbeatable. You’re a stone's throw from Central Park, right next to the Ziegfeld Ballroom, and surrounded by every major subway line. If you’re a partner at a firm living in the Upper East Side, your commute is a dream.
What Most People Get Wrong About 1345 Avenue of the Americas
There’s this weird misconception that these 1960s towers are "sick buildings" or energy hogs. Actually, the Fisher Brothers have been pretty aggressive about LEED certification. They’ve retrofitted the HVAC systems and the lighting. It’s not just about looking cool; it’s about the bottom line. Large corporate tenants won't sign a 15-year lease in a building that doesn't meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards anymore.
Another thing? The name. Most locals still call it the Burlington House because Burlington Industries was the original anchor tenant. But Burlington is long gone. The building is just 1345 6th Ave NYC now, or 1345 Avenue of the Americas if you’re being fancy.
The plaza is another point of contention. In the 60s, "Privately Owned Public Spaces" (POPS) were a way for developers to get extra height in exchange for giving the public a place to sit. Some of these plazas are wind tunnels. 1345 is different. The fountains act as a noise buffer against the roar of Sixth Avenue traffic. It’s one of the few places in Midtown where you can actually hear yourself think for a second.
Navigating the Midtown Real Estate Market
If you’re looking at office space in this corridor, you’re competing with Hudson Yards and the new Vanderbilt developments. It’s tough. 1345 6th Ave NYC has to work harder to keep tenants. That’s why the "amenity war" is real.
The building now features high-end fitness centers, conference facilities that look like five-star hotels, and concierge services that go way beyond just checking IDs at the front desk. They’ve added "@1345," which is their dedicated amenity floor. It’s got a lounge, curated food options, and event spaces. It’s basically trying to make the office feel more like a private club.
Is it expensive? Oh, absolutely.
Rents here can easily clear $100 per square foot for the upper floors with views of the park. You’re paying for the prestige of the zip code and the fact that the building doesn't lose power when a summer thunderstorm hits the city.
The Future of 1345 6th Ave NYC
Midtown is changing. It's not just offices anymore. There’s a lot of talk about office-to-residential conversions in NYC, but 1345 is likely safe from that. The floor plates are too deep for easy residential conversion—you’d end up with apartments that have no windows in the back. Plus, it’s still making too much money as a commercial hub.
The real challenge for 1345 6th Ave NYC is the hybrid work model. When people only come in three days a week, the building has to be a destination. It can’t just be a place with a desk and a chair. It has to be better than your home office. That’s why you see the constant upgrades to the air filtration and the touchless tech in the elevators.
The Fisher Brothers have a reputation for being "long-term" holders. They don't flip buildings. They manage them for decades. That sense of institutional ownership is a huge draw for tenants who don't want to worry about their landlord going bankrupt or the building falling into disrepair.
Actionable Insights for Visiting or Leasing
If you're headed to 1345 6th Ave NYC, keep these practical tips in mind to navigate the space like a pro:
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- The Security Protocol: Don't just show up and expect to wander in. Like most Class A buildings in Manhattan, the security is tight. Ensure your host has entered you into the building’s visitor system (usually via a platform like Building engines or similar) so you can get a QR code sent to your phone.
- The "Secret" Commute: Don't just rely on the 57th St F train. You can easily access the E and M lines at 5th Ave/53rd St, which is a very short walk. It’s often less crowded than the main hubs.
- Lunch Logistics: Skip the generic delis directly on 6th Avenue. If you walk one block west to 7th Avenue or into the side streets (54th and 55th), you’ll find significantly better food that isn't priced solely for tourists.
- The View Factor: If you are touring office space, the "North" facing offices above the 35th floor are the "money" views. You get a clear shot of Central Park that won't be easily obstructed by future development due to zoning laws.
- Plaza Etiquette: The outdoor seating is public, but it fills up fast between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. If you want a spot by the fountains, get there at 11:45 AM.
1345 6th Ave NYC remains a titan of the Midtown skyline. It isn't the flashiest new glass needle in the city, but it has a gravity and a functional elegance that newer buildings often lack. It represents a specific era of New York ambition that continues to pay dividends for the firms lucky enough to call it home.