When industrialization took place in the 1800s, this area experienced a boom in residential and industrial growth. Over time the industrial loft spaces were abandoned, but artists took note of the low rent and empty spaces, and began appearing in the 1950s. Now this fabulous area south of Houston Street (SoHo for short) is a mecca for art galleries, designer shops, quaint cafes and beautiful lofts. Soho is known for its own unique NYC apartments – a myriad of lofts old and new and prewar tenement-style buildings – butvthere’s also modern construction. Here you also have everything at your disposal from chic boutiques to off-beat theatre performances, abundant art galleries and cutting-edge restaurants and hotels.

Also to note about SoHo: it hosts the largest collection of cast iron buildings (about 250) in the whole world. First used as a façade in the mid to late 1800s, cast iron was later the material of entire buildings. The neighborhood of Soho starts below Houston Street, with the western section stretching just below the West Village to the Hudson River, down to Canal Street and east to Lafayette Street. Nolita (once known as Little Italy) and Chinatown are right nearby for a great mix of culture and cuisine.