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SoHo
This historic, yet ultra-fashionable neighborhood extends down to Canal Street, between Sixth Avenue to the west and Lafayette Street to the east.  The massive cast-iron architecture that was dominant during the 19th century's industrial era is still apparent in the buildings' structures, especially on Broadway between Houston and Canal Streets. Weeping trees shade the newly paved streets, while century old cobblestones stubbornly peek out from under the asphalt in many places, causing a bumpy car ride. SoHo, an abbreviation of "South of Houston Street" is a prime example of how history lives in the modern day thanks to its impeccably restored buildings that began in the early 1960's. In the mid-1970's, numerous run-down factories and warehouses were renovated by broke artists looking for dual living and working spaces. With great demand, the New York Loft Board, in charge of loft regulation issues, assisted live in artists with the complex legal issues they faced. But as gallery spaces opened up, rents began to dramatically increase. The Cast Iron Historic District soon showed inflated art prices reflective of the outrageous cost of living. Influential American families moved to the area, exclusive modeling agencies took up residence and well-known television and movie personalities bought flats. Today, full-floor lofts commonly cost millions of dollars with very few ever seeing the market. The average tourist glances at a renovated industrial building sporting a flat brick façade and thinks nothing more of it. Inside, the floor plans are generally open and immense in size (6000 sq. ft. is an average for a pricey flat). The living areas are filled with floor to ceiling windows providing a picture perfect view of SoHo, accented by expensive furnishings and fabrics provided by exclusive designers. While walking the streets, look around and guess which buildings house these expensive lofts.
On weekends, the worn streets and narrow sidewalks are crowded with shoppers headed for art galleries, specialty boutiques and sophisticated restaurants.  Some people claim that SoHo is becoming a victim of its own popularity with the addition of chain stores like Victoria's Secret and J. Crew replacing unique boutiques. However, the area is still one of the best shopping neighborhoods in the city, and few are more fun to browse. Creative street peddlers line the sidewalks selling coffee-table books, modern knick-knacks and their own art, lending a European feel to the shopping experience. At night, the neighborhood is transformed into a pricey but wonderful dining and barhopping experience enjoyed by both the young and old. A large portion of the drinking scene caters to the beautiful people who prefer to lounge in stylish rooms with piano music floating through the air. Hidden but still around, are the few old saloons one can belly up to and enjoy a cold beer on tap. Jazz clubs, piano bars and a couple of upscale pool halls exist, but the majority of the late night scene is fairly refined in nature. French, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chilean, Abyssinian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Spanish, Mexican, or American food are available for the casual diner or the chic connoisseur. Gourmet coffees and aged wines are found in almost any establishment. The recent addition of two trendy hotels, the Mercer and the SoHo Grand, provide convenient and elegant sleeping quarters for the tourists exploring the neighborhood. No other neighborhood in NYC offers such a concentrated mix of unique shops carrying quirky stuff, national and international name brands, and one of a kind luxury items. Keep in mind while in SoHo, if you have to ask the price, you probably can't afford it.
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Writer: Denise C.
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[Must Visit]
Nearby Spots: TriBeCa · East Village · Central Park ···
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Fodor's New York City
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