SoHo, neighbourhood in Manhattan, New York City, US
SoHo is a neighborhood in Manhattan with over 200 cast-iron buildings from the 1800s, their detailed facades and large windows defining the streetscape. Narrow cobblestone streets now hold shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes that have transformed the former industrial district into a lively destination.
The area was once marshland and forest that Dutch settlers transformed into farms in the 1640s. In the 1800s it became a wealthy neighborhood with grand homes and theaters before factories for textiles and clothing moved in from the 1870s onward. Artists later moved into abandoned factory spaces and revived the area, eventually leading to today's mix of history and modern activity.
SoHo's name comes from 'South of Houston Street' and reflects the creative energy that still shapes the neighborhood. The cast-iron buildings with their ornate facades show how craftspeople and architects once worked, and today galleries, cafes, and boutiques fill these historic structures to serve visitors and residents.
The neighborhood is best reached by subway, with stations near Spring Street, Prince Street, and Canal Street. Since streets are narrow and traffic heavy, exploring on foot or by public transportation is recommended, as parking is difficult to find.
The neighborhood was known in the 1950s as 'Hell's Hundred Acres,' a rough place with little order, until artists moved in because rents were cheap. The New York Earth Room is an unusual art installation featuring just a large room filled with soil that invites reflection.
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