SoHo

SoHo is a neighborhood in lower Manhattan between Houston Street and Canal Street, known for its cast-iron facades and tall windows. The 19th-century buildings stand close together, with narrow sidewalks and cobbled streets lined today with shops and studios.

The neighborhood changed from an industrial zone to an artist community in the 1970s when factories closed and stood empty. Residents fought to protect the cast-iron buildings and succeeded in having them listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Galleries open directly onto the sidewalks and show contemporary work, while fashion shops occupy former factory floors, keeping the creative character of the neighborhood alive. Local art dealers and collectors meet in the cafes, and on weekends visitors wander through stores selling design and craft from around the world.

The area is served by several subway stations, including Prince Street and Spring Street, which offer connections in different directions. On weekends and in the afternoons it gets busier, with many pedestrians on the sidewalks and in the shops.

The name came as a shorthand for South of Houston Street, with the boundary becoming clearer as the neighborhood developed. Many buildings have fire escapes on their facades, which now form a typical feature of the streetscape and are often photographed.