NoHo Space

Welcome

  1. About NoHo. Automattic is a fully distributed company with a space for all – Automatticians and friends of Automattic to experience our culture: community events, co-working, team meetups, art shows, cultural gatherings… and much more. We are the people behind WordPress.com, Woo, Jetpack, WordPress VIP, Simplenote, Longreads, The Atavist, 
    WPScan, Akismet, Gravatar, Crowdsignal, 
    Cloudup, Tumblr, Day One, Pocket Casts, 
    Newspack, Texts, and more.

    We believe in making the web a better place.

  2. Location. 166 Crosby St, 11th Floor, New York, New York, 10012, USA

  3. Hours. NoHo is staffed Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST. The space is open 24/7 with a key fob.

  4. Accessibility. Please use our elevators for access to the 11th floor. Additionally, we provide accessible, gender neutral restrooms to ensure a welcoming environment for everyone.

  5. Health and Safety. While vaccination is no longer required in order to travel or participate in in-person company events, Automatticians are required to follow all local rules and regulations regarding Covid-19 vaccinations when they meet with people in person and/or travel on behalf of Automattic.  We encourage and support mask wearing for those who choose to wear a mask in the space, however wearing a mask is not required. Covid tests are available upon request.

  6. Safety and Inclusion. At NoHo, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our diverse community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of background or identity, feel valued and respected. Our space is dedicated to promoting collaboration, creativity, and a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

  7. Using the space
    • Be kind and intentional with everyone you interact with – Automatticians, building staff, other tenants, and visitors – you represent Automattic. 
    • Make a plan. Think ahead to understand expectations of your time here, and how you intend to navigate them. Familiarize yourself with our guide to be self-reliant. 
    • Leave our areas better than you found them. Not the same, but better. Always be tidying.
    • You are responsible for the behavior of all guests you bring into NoHo.
    • If you see something not functioning as it should, say something
    • Mistakes / spills / etc happen. Any issues must be reported immediately.
    • Please note that there are security cameras in place at both entrances/exits. 

Accessing the space

  1. Accessing the Building. Our building’s lobby is open Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 6:30 pm EST (except holidays) and may be accessed using a key fob outside of working hours. 

  2. Unlocking the Space. The space is staffed from Monday – Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm EST and may be unlocked using a key fob outside of working hours. 

  3. Requesting access. Please try to make requests at least 24 hours in advance. If you are not an Automattician, may request access here. If you are an Automattician, please follow the steps found in the guide here.
  1. Transportation

    • Subway:
      1. Broadway-Lafayette St (B, D, F, M, & 6 trains) – 2 minute walk
      2. Prince Street (N, R, W trains) – 4 minute walk
      3. Spring Street (C, E trains) – 13 minute walk

    • Car: There is no designated parking lot and street parking can be hard to come by. If your presence here is requested and required for a meeting or other business purpose you may expense parking if necessary (although we encourage the use of public transport when possible).

    • Bicycle. Bike storage is available at the 166 Crosby Street entrance. Your fob will allow you to unlock the bike storage room. There are close to 30 places for bikes to be locked in the bike storage room. Please lock up your bike. Bikes may not be left overnight.

    • Airport:
      • LaGuardia (LGA):
      • Located in Northern Queens
      • 10 miles away
      • 25-45 minute drive, depending on traffic
      • Taxi/Uber/Lyft Price: $45 – $85
    • Newark Liberty International (EWR)
      • Located in New Jersey
      • 13 miles away
      • 25-45 minute drive, depending on traffic
      • Taxi/Uber/Lyft Price: $55 – $100
    • John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
      • Located in Southern Queens
      • 13 miles away
      • 50-120 minute drive depending on traffic
      • Taxi Price: Taxis at JFK Airport charge a flat fare of $52 for trips between the airport and Manhattan. Taxis impose a $4.50 surcharge during peak hours (4-8 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays), for a fare of $56.50.
      • The JFK Airport offers connection to the subway system via the JFK Air Train. 
      • Uber/Lyft Price: $65-$120

        Remember: tipping 20% is customary for all taxis and ride-hailing services.

When you arrive

  1. NoHo is a smart space. The iPad mini (located on the credenza) controls the lights, music, and Vestaboard.

  2. Lights: All of the lights can be turned on/off using the HUE switch on the wall by both entrances. NoHo uses a HUE lighting system that controls each side (Crosby and Broadway) independently. The HUE app on the iPad controls the HUE lighting system. It is a preference that we use the HUE lights instead of the main, overhead lights, which generally remain off.

    • HUE settings: 
      • The space is separated into two groups: a Broadway side and a Crosby side. The settings option allows you to switch between each group of lights. 
      • Each light within the app offers separate controls for individual adjustment. The Broadway or Crosby side “home” option controls all of the lights within the group together. 
      • Selecting a light within the group (or all of the lights within a group) will allow you to select the hue of the light, as well as the brightness. At NoHo, our go-to scene is the “Relax” warm, light scene gallery during working hours. We sometimes select the “Rainbow” light scene during Happy Hour, just for fun! 
      • The HUE system may also be accessed from your smart device by downloading the Philips HUE application here. After downloading, no need to create an account, just connect to our two space bridges. These are located within the technical storage closet and the space host can help you access these. 

3. Music. NoHo is equipped with 11 Sonos speakers. The NoHo iPad offers a Sonos app, as well as Spotify, to control the music and volume in the space. You can use your own smart device to connect to the Sonos system by opening your music player and selecting a different output. Alternatively, you could download the Sonos app on your phone and connect to the system from there. When you select music to play from the Spotify app, the bluetooth settings within the player will allow you to assign the music to our Sonos speaker group.

  1. Heating / Cooling. There are six (6) thermostats for heating/cooling.

    • To operate: Touch the thermostat to turn it on and then touch it again to adjust. You can adjust the temperature by using the arrows. To change from A/C to Heat, or vice versa, click the right arrow at the bottom of the screen and scroll through the settings until you find the correct setting. It’s important to make sure that all thermostats are on the same setting. For example, having one on heat, when the rest are on A/C could cause permanent damage to the central heating and air system.

    • Thermostat locations: 
      • On the wall between the single use restroom and the other restrooms. Controls Carmen McRae conference room. Keep this thermostat lower than the others as this room gets very hot.)
      • On the wall between the restrooms and the kitchen. Controls Crosby side of open area
      • Inside the George Gershwin Conference Room. Controls George Gershwin conference room and Nursing Room.
      • Inside the Bud Powell Conference Room. Controls Bud Powell conference room and 2 Zoom Rooms.
      • On the wall between the Zoom Rooms and the Broadway entrance. Controls Broadway side of open area.
      • On the wall in the Event Space, right around the corner from the Broadway entrance. Controls Event Space.

Facilities

  1. Co-working. We are equipped with 30 adjustable desks and 12 external Apple Pro Display XDR monitors. We offer cables (located within all Zoom rooms and inside of our Crosby entrance credenza), mice, and logitech cameras to help you stay connected. If you need something that you don’t see, just ask! 

  2. Collaborative Space

    1. Events. The event area includes a large event area including:
      1. 50 stackable chairs 
      2. A rolling, 63 inch monitor, podium, custom speakers, and DJ booth.  

    2. Conference Rooms. We have 3 conference rooms.
      1. Carmen McRae: to the left of the Crosby Street entrance
      2. George Gershwin: right next to the kitchen
      3. Bud Powell: between the Nursing Room and the Zoom Rooms

    3. Zoom Rooms. There are two Zoom rooms located near the Broadway side of NoHo. Each includes an external monitor, and a logitech camera. These rooms are ideal locations to take a call, or use a private working area.

  3. Comfort Space
    1. Kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a hot water boiler, microwave, ice machine, and refrigerator. The center island allows for 9 feet of additional countertop area, with 8 bar stools for seating. Flatware may be found in the drawer underneath the Nespresso machine. Glassware and dishes may be found in the cabinet above the sink. 

    2. Nursing / Meditation Room. We offer a meditation and nursing room with a locking door to the left of the George Gershwin conference room. This room includes a small refrigerator, comfortable seating, and sanitizing wipes. The nursing / meditation room is also home to our Shiftwave Chair. 

    3. Restrooms. We offer three, gender neutral restrooms for your comfort. All restrooms are equipped with comfort items you are invited to use as needed. The restroom closest to the Crosby entrance is private. 

Connecting inside NoHo

  1. Wifi. SSID: Automattician | Password: a12srock

  2. Monitors and Accessories.

    • Monitors. We offers a total of 14 external Apple Pro Display XDR monitors which you may plug your device into directly. All external monitors also include Logitech webcams. 
    • Accessories. The right two cabinets of our Crosby entrance credenza contain a number of cables, and multi cables, at a variety of lengths. We also have spare mice, and keyboards. If you need something you don’t see, just ask! 
    • Magic Keyboards. You may find set up steps for setting up one of the loaner keyboards in the space here.

  3. Meeting Owl

    • The Meeting Owl is an innovative 360-degree video conferencing camera that enhances remote collaboration by automatically focusing on the person speaking, creating an immersive and inclusive virtual meeting experience. Its intelligent design allows for seamless integration with popular video conferencing platforms, like Zoom. 
      • How to connect.
        1. To connect to the Meeting Owl, plug the thunderbolt cable into your computer. 
        2. Once you launch your meeting, select the video source to ensure the Meeting Owl is selected. 
        3. You may also select Meeting Owl as your audio source in order to use the MeetingOwl microphone. 
        4. Hybrid meetings. MeetingOwl is a participant in your call. Your camera is the owl’s eyes in the room. You can use Meeting Owl to connect remote meeting participants to what is happening within your physical space. 

  4. Presentation Monitors. NoHo is equipped with three 64 inch presentation monitors. One in each conference room, and a rolling monitor in our events area. You may connect to these via thunderbolt cable. 

  5. DJ Booth. The events area includes a freestanding DJ booth with two Technics 1200 turntables, two Pioneer CD-DJ decks, two Shure SM58 wireless microphones, and a Mastersounds Two Valve MK2 Mixer. You may connect to the custom speakers that accompany the booth using our Sonos bluetooth system, or directly using the input snake attached to the booth. We ask that you request access to the DJ Booth should you wish to give it a spin! 

  6. Printer / Scanner. Our printer is connected to our wifi network and prints in both color and black & white. The printer is called “HD PageWide Pro 477dw MFP”.

  7. Vestaboard. The Vestaboard is a smart display that hangs between the two restrooms. It can be controlled by the Vestaboard app installed on the iPad.

Hospitality 

  1. Make yourself at home. All areas within NoHo are first-come, first served and please choose any place you’d like to make yourself comfortable. If a room, or area, is reserved for any reason, it will be clearly communicated with a sign. We offer snacks, and beverages (hot and cold) in the kitchen, and invite you to help yourself. 

  2. Coffee & Tea. 
    • The Drip Coffee machine is located next to the sink, along with a coffee bean grinder. There are usually some coffee beans sitting on the counter, but if not, they are located on the very top shelf of the middle cabinet.
      1. Pour some beans into the grinder and press down on the lid to grind.
      2. Place a filter in the coffee machine (on the counter, but extras are above the microwave) and pour your coffee grinds into the filter (there is a scoop on the counter, if you’d like – one scoop per the amount of water in the tank).
      3. Fill up the carafe with water from the sink and pour it into the water chamber. It’s usually easiest to make a full batch. Place the carafe back under the filter compartment.
      4. Press the “OXO” button under the clock. “5-9” will start flashing – this is the amount of water in the tank. Press the button again to select “5-9” and the coffee will start brewing!
      5. The other option is “2-4” which can be selected by turning the “OXO” dial, however only select this if the water tank lies under the “4” marker.
    • The Nespresso Machine is located on the marble countertop in the kitchen and the pods are located below the machine. Extra pods are above the microwave.
      1. Choose your pod from below the machine. Each pod has information about the flavor written on the front of the pod.
      2. Push the dial to the right to open the machine and place the pod inside.
      3. Close the lid and push the dial to the left to lock it in.
      4. Ensure there is water in the left tank. If not, take it over to the sink and fill it up.
      5. Press the coffee cup button on top and your coffee will start brewing.
      6. Let the machine run its course. It may look like your cup is going to overflow, but I promise it won’t!
    • The Cuzen Matcha machine will allow you to brew hot Matcha tea. Matcha is kept above the microwave in bags labeled “Signature Matcha Leaf” and “Premium Matcha Leaf”.
      1. Choose the leaf you’d like and pour some into the Cuzen Matcha Machine by removing the wooden lid.
      2. Remove the clear cup from below the machine and fill it up with water to the fill line.
      3. Place the cup back under the machine with the spout facing towards the wall. It is magnetic and should snap into place.
      4. Press the “STRENGTH” button to determine the strength of your matcha. 1 dot is weakest, 2 dots is standard, and 3 dots is strong.
      5. Press the “START/PAUSE” button and the matcha should start brewing.
      6. As soon as the matcha stops spinning, it’s ready! It takes about a minute and a half.
      7. There are small matcha cups available in the middle cabinet. Please rinse out the clear cup once you’re finished! 

  3. Snacks. The kitchen table offers a variety of chips, nuts, bars, and sweets. Please help yourself to anything you’d like to snack on. 

  4. Beverages. Our refrigerator offers a variety of cold beverages including Hint water (still and sparkling), Taika coffee, soda, juice, Ito En tea, and Essentia water.  We also offer beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic Kin functional beverages. Please drink responsibly. 

  5. Ordering to NoHo. Popular apps like Doordash, Uber Eats, Seamless, or Caviar all deliver to the building. Many restaurants also offer their own ordering options directly by phone or website. Please indicate within your order that they are to deliver to the 11th floor.  All leftovers will be removed from the fridge by the end of each week. 

  6. Tidying up. Plates, cups, bowls, mugs, and utensils are all available for your use in the kitchen.You may find these in the cabinets above the kitchen counter. After use, please place these items in the dishwasher rather than hand-washing and leaving out to dry. Please throw away or recycle trash within the appropriate receptacles in the kitchen. 

Exploring NoHo

Recommendations within the area may be found here.

Safety and Emergency Protocol

  1. Fire Emergency Protocol
    1. Stay Calm: In the event of a fire, do not panic. The building is well-equipped with safety measures like the sprinkler and fire alarm systems.
    2. Evacuation: Begin to evacuate the building immediately. Use the staircases located next to each set of elevators for evacuation. Note: Instructions might be provided on which staircase to use.
    3. Door Heat Test: Before opening any door leading to the staircase, place your hand on it to test for heat. If the door feels hot, or there are signs of fire behind it, DO NOT open the door.
    4. Contact Building Staff: If you can’t use a staircase due to heat or fire, immediately use the red phone nearby to inform the building staff about the situation.
    5. Emergency Call:
      If the red phone is inaccessible or not working, call 911 immediately.
      Provide them with your exact location and inform them that the stairs are inaccessible due to the fire.
    6. Remember, the primary goal is the safety of everyone in the building. It’s crucial that everyone is familiar with these steps and knows how to act promptly in the event of a fire.

When you leave

  1. Lights. Hit the lights on your way out! There is a light switch panel located at each entrance to the space with controls for all of our main light switches. These switches will allow you to turn off the main, overhead lights, as well as the HUE lights. The restrooms and kitchen have individual light switches respectively. 

  2. Music. Please turn off any music you have playing on your way out. The iPad is located on the credenza near the Crosby side entrance. The music may be paused through the Sonos application.

  3. Tidy up. Please place all dishes, cups, plates, cutlery in the dishwasher. Throw out or recycle any trash. Wrap up the cables you used at your desk, and return your desk and chair to their normal positions. 

  4. Leave your key. If you no longer need your key fob, please leave it inside of the green shell located on our Crosby entrance credenza.