coworkingSoHo
Geographic Boundaries
SoHo, an abbreviation for "South of Houston Street," is bounded by Canal Street to the south, West Houston Street to the north, Crosby Street to the east, and Sixth Avenue to the west. The neighborhood spans approximately 26 blocks and is intersected by Lafayette Street, which divides its eastern and western sections. The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, designated in 1973 and expanded in 2010, forms the core of the area, including iconic cast-iron architecture and Belgian-block-paved side streets.
Businesses and Retail Landscape
SoHo is a premier destination for high-end fashion, art galleries, and luxury retailers. Major global brands such as Chanel, Prada, and Alexander McQueen anchor Broadway, while smaller boutiques and concept stores line Prince and Spring Streets. The neighborhood’s retail mix includes independent designers, vintage shops, and flagship stores like the Scholastic Building’s bookstore. Fine dining establishments, such as Balthazar and Raoul’s, offer French-inspired cuisine, while newer additions like The Dutch and Lovely Day cater to contemporary tastes. Art galleries, including the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, contribute to the area’s creative economy.
Historical Attractions
SoHo’s industrial past as a 19th-century manufacturing hub transitioned into an artist enclave in the 1960s–70s after factories vacated the area. The preservation of cast-iron buildings led to its 1978 designation as a National Historic Landmark. Key attractions include the Haughwout Building (1857), famous for its pioneering Otis elevator, and the E.V. Haughwout & Co. store. The neighborhood’s galleries, such as the Judd Foundation, reflect its legacy as a breeding ground for Minimalist and avant-garde art movements.
Architectural Features and Significant Buildings
SoHo’s architecture is dominated by cast-iron facades, characterized by ornate columns, large windows, and decorative lintels. The Gunther Building (1873) and the Queen Anne-style Little Singer Building (1904) exemplify this style. The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District safeguards approximately 500 buildings, many converted into lofts. The Scholastic Building, a modern glass structure, contrasts with historic warehouses, while the Angel Orensanz Center, a former synagogue, serves as an event space. The majority of structures are five-to-six-story mixed-use buildings with retail on the ground floor.
Transportation Options
SoHo is accessible via multiple subway lines: the C, E, and A trains at Spring Street; the N, R, Q, and W trains at Prince Street; and the 6 train at Canal Street. The M21 and M55 bus routes connect the neighborhood to the West Village and Midtown. Citi Bike stations and sidewalks optimized for pedestrian traffic make cycling and walking practical. Due to heavy congestion, driving is less common, though major arteries like Canal Street provide access to the Holland Tunnel.
Adjacent ZIP Codes and Nearby Areas
SoHo primarily uses ZIP codes 10012 and 10013. Adjacent areas include NoHo (north, ZIP 10012), Little Italy (south, ZIP 10013), and the West Village (west, ZIP 10014). The boundary with Chinatown near Canal Street often blurs culturally, though ZIP 10002 marks Chinatown’s core. Tribeca (southwest, ZIP 10007) and the Lower East Side (east, ZIP 10002) border the neighborhood’s peripheries.
Prominent Companies and Office Profiles
SoHo’s office spaces attract creative and tech-centric firms. The neighborhood houses the headquarters of BuzzFeed and VICE Media in converted lofts, alongside startups in the fashion-tech sector such as rent-the-runway showrooms. Creative agencies, including advertising and design firms, occupy upper floors of cast-iron buildings. Art-related businesses, such as auction houses and galleries, maintain offices near West Broadway. Major retailers like Apple and Bloomingdale’s operate flagship stores but do not maintain corporate offices in the area.