NoHo
Geographic Boundaries
NoHo, short for "North of Houston Street," is a compact neighborhood in Lower Manhattan bounded by Houston Street to the south, Mercer Street to the west, The Bowery and Fourth Avenue to the east, and East 9th Street to the north. Its cobblestone streets, including Great Jones Street and Bond Street, retain historic charm amid modern developments.
Businesses, Stores, and Retailers
NoHo's commercial scene blends independent boutiques, art galleries, and flagship stores. The neighborhood features high-end fashion retailers, vintage shops, and design-focused stores along Lafayette Street and Broadway. Astor Place hosts tech-centric pop-ups, while Bleecker Street preserves Federal-style row houses now housing niche retailers. The area’s culinary offerings include farm-to-table bistros, speakeasy-style cocktail lounges, and international cuisine, with establishments like The Smile and Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria.
Fine Dining and Restaurants
NoHo’s dining scene emphasizes seasonal ingredients and intimate settings. Michelin-recommended restaurants coexist with chef-driven concepts, such as The Dutch and Balthazar Bakery. The Public Theater’s lobby bar, The Library at The Public, serves craft cocktails, while specialty coffee shops like Devoción attract creatives and professionals.
History of Major Attractions
NoHo’s landmarks reflect its 19th-century industrial past and artistic evolution. The Astor Library (now the Public Theater) and Colonnade Row, a surviving Greek Revival terrace, anchor the neighborhood’s cultural identity. The Bouwerie Lane Theatre, established in 1963, and the Gene Frankel Theatre on Bond Street remain hubs for experimental performances. The neighborhood’s 20th-century transformation into an artist enclave solidified its reputation as a creative nexus.
Architectural Styles and Building Types
NoHo’s streetscapes showcase cast-iron facades, Federal-style row houses, and late-19th-century loft buildings. The NoHo Historic District and NoHo East Historic District preserve 125 buildings, including the Bayard-Condict Building (Manhattan’s only Louis Sullivan-designed structure) and the De Vinne Press Building’s Romanesque Revival architecture. Modern glass towers like 51 Astor Place contrast with preserved industrial lofts.
Other Significant Buildings
Notable structures include 21 Bleecker Street, a Federal-style building once housing the Florence Night Mission, and 24 Bond Street, home to the Gene Frankel Theatre. The former Astor Library now hosts Joe’s Pub, a music venue within The Public Theater complex. The Margaret Sanger Square, adjacent to Planned Parenthood’s headquarters, commemorates reproductive rights advocacy.
Transportation Options
NoHo is served by the Astor Place (6 train) and Bleecker Street (6, B, D, F, M trains) subway stations. Multiple MTA bus routes traverse Bowery and Lafayette Street. Citi Bike stations and proximity to East Village bike lanes facilitate cycling. The neighborhood’s central location provides walking access to SoHo, Greenwich Village, and Union Square.
Adjacent Zip Codes
NoHo’s core falls within 10003 (East Village) and 10012 (northern NoHo). Nearby zip codes include 10002 (Lower East Side), 10013 (SoHo), and 10009 (Alphabet City). The Bowery and Fourth Avenue boundaries create fluid transitions between these areas.
Prominent Companies and Office Types
NoHo attracts creative firms, technology startups, and boutique agencies. The neighborhood’s historic lofts house architecture studios, theater companies, and fashion showrooms. Tech tenants often occupy modern developments like 51 Astor Place, while co-working spaces cater to freelancers and entrepreneurs. Media production companies and art galleries dominate Mercer Street’s commercial spaces.