SoHo
Soho is a neighborhood with a name that is defined by its geographic borders. South of Houston Street, Soho is one of the most popular and desirable downtown Manhattan neighborhoods. Soho’s boundaries could be described as Houston Street on the north, Canal Street to the South and Lafayette/Centre Street on the East and West Broadway on the West Side.
Once known as Hell’s Hundred Acres and an industrial wasteland, the neighborhood couldn’t be more transformed. As artists flooded the neighborhood in the 1960’s, transforming the once cast iron commercial buildings into residential live/work lofts the area gentrified quickly. The cast iron architecture of the the district has become one of Soho’s most notable characteristics, these commercial buildings were transformed into loft residences that have now become some of the more expensive and desirable types of apartment residences in Manhattan.
New construction condominiums now to try to emulate the characteristics that these original buildings possess. High ceilings, huge open layouts, with large open windows, give Soho real estate a prized feel. Along with the desirability comes with it the high prices of real estate in the neighborhood as loft residences tend fetch some of the highest prices in downtown Manhattan.
The neighborhood is known for its European feel, with cobblestone streets, European street side cafes, famous boutique shopping, nightlife options and many top end restaurants. You can still experience Soho’s artistic culture as many art galleries are still found in the neighborhood.