Story of the Neighborhood . . .

While today, SoHo (South of Houston Street) is known for its retail shopping, it wasn’t always this way! In the 1970s artists were actively seeking large loft spaces where they could live and work simultaneously. During this time, their neighbors were local food importers, small manufacturers and bakeries that sent goods throughout the city. Addressing the growing needs of its residents, the City designated SoHo as a protected haven for professional artists, many of whom were able to buy loft spaces for as little as $5,000! Today, the lofts are selling for millions and the sidewalks teem with tourists walking along cobblestone streets surrounded by the nineteenth-century cast-iron buildings that make this one of the city’s landmarks neighborhoods.

Across Broadway, just below Grand Street lies Little Italy. There are still a few Italian gems remaining, such as Ferrara bakery, where you can indulge in traditional pastries and an espresso. Continuing along Grand Street, you enter NoLita (North of Little Italy), home to street-level small-scale boutiques and restaurants. The Bowery, at the edge of NoLita, is a focal point for the area’s music venues, lively bars, restaurants and art galleries. Crossing Houston Street, the northern boundary of SoHo and NoLita brings you to NoHo (North of Houston Street), an eclectic pocket-sized neighborhood that is becoming a host to residential developments by some of the world’s most recognized architects and charming restaurants and stores.