08/01/2024
Today I want to talk to you about SoHo, a neighborhood in Manhattan and its iconic "Cast Iron District"!
SoHo stands for "South of Houston Street".
The "Cast Iron District" refers to the area of SoHo that is home to the largest concentration of cast iron buildings in the world.
These buildings were constructed between 1840 and 1880, a time when cast iron was prized for its strength and lower cost than stone and were often prefabricated and assembled on site.
This innovative method made the construction process faster and cheaper, allowing entire buildings to be created in just a few months.
Cast iron buildings have intricate and detailed facades, often with columns, arches and balconies.
Did you know that you could theoretically sustain a calamity on many of the buildings in the Cast Iron District? This is because cast iron facades are magnetic!
This architectural style has made SoHo one of the most photographed and iconic areas of New York.
Originally, SoHo was an industrial neighborhood with factories and warehouses. In the 60s and 70s, artists and creatives began to move here, attracted by the large spaces of the former warehouses, transforming them into lofts and art studios.
Today, SoHo is known for its art galleries, high-fashion boutiques, trendy cafes and gourmet restaurants. It is a point of reference for shopping and contemporary art.
Walking through SoHo is like taking a trip back in time, immersing yourself in a unique fusion of history, art and modernity. Don't miss the chance to visit this iconic corner of New York!
SoHo is located in lower Manhattan, south of Houston Street and north of Canal Street, stretching between Lafayette Street and the Hudson River.