Houston Street, Bedford Street, and 6th Avenue form a bustling intersection in the heart of Greenwich Village in Manhattan. This area is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous performance venues, galleries, and restaurants nearby.
Houston Street was named after William Houstoun, a Georgian delegate to the Continental Congress. The street was initially designed to be the northernmost boundary of the city, but it was later extended as the town grew. How Houston Street in Manhattan is pronounced can easily give away a newcomer to the city, as they might mistakenly say it as if it were located in Texas. Despite the unusual pronunciation, the street name's origin can be traced back to 1788 when Nicholas Bayard III sold off parcels of his farm in SoHo and named one of the new east-west streets after William Houstoun, his son-in-law. Houston was a three-time delegate to the Continental Congress from Georgia, and his name comes from his Scottish lineage. The street name was initially spelt correctly, but in the 19th century, the spelling was corrupted into "Houston," which was likely influenced by the emergence of Sam Houston in the public consciousness as senator and governor of Texas in the 1840s and 1850s. Despite the change in spelling, the original late 18th-century pronunciation of "house-ton" continues to be used.
Bedford Street, on the other hand, is a charming tree-lined street that is often considered one of the most picturesque in Greenwich Village. The road dates back to the 18th century and is home to many historic buildings and landmarks, including the Cherry Lane Theatre, one of the city's oldest Off-Broadway theatres. The Isaacs-Hendricks House is the most senior home in Greenwich Village and was built in 1799 by merchant Joshua Isaacs on Bedford street. The reason why Isaacs made his home here is not known, but it is speculated that he may have been fleeing the yellow fever epidemic that hit New York hard at the time. After Isaacs gave up the house to creditors, Harmon Hendricks, his son-in-law, purchased it in 1801. For the next three decades, the Hendricks family had this stretch of the Village all to themselves. Other homes were built in the 1840s and beyond, turning Bedford Street into a residential enclave of red brick and wood frame beauty. The Isaacs-Hendricks house changed with the times, adding a brick front in 1836 and a third floor in 1928. In the 1920s, the house was purchased by a group of Villagers to preserve the block's character and prevent the erection of an apartment house on the site. Thanks to these history-minded residents, this lovely home is still standing and is the oldest house in Greenwich Village.
6th Avenue, also known as Avenue of the Americas, is a major north-south thoroughfare that runs through Manhattan. The avenue was renamed in 1945 to honour the Organization of American States, founded that same year. The highway is known for its tall buildings, high-end shopping, and vibrant nightlife.
Together, these three streets form a bustling intersection of history, culture, and activity. Whether you're looking for a great meal, a night out on the town, or a dose of New York City's vibrant arts scene, you're sure to find it in the area surrounding the Houston Street, Bedford Street, and 6th Avenue intersections.
SoHo (South of Houston Street) and Greenwich Village are Manhattan's most vibrant and storied neighbourhoods.
SoHo was originally home to factories and warehouses, but starting in the 1960s, artists and other bohemians began to move in, attracted by the cheap rent and spacious loft spaces. By the 1970s, SoHo had become a thriving arts district, with galleries, performance spaces, and studios filling the old industrial buildings.
Artists such as Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, and Richard Serra made SoHo their home, and their work helped to establish the area as a centre for contemporary art. Local personalities like Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe contributed to the neighbourhood's bohemian vibe.
Today, SoHo is still a hub of creativity. Still, the neighbourhood has also become a shopping destination, with high-end fashion boutiques and luxury brands setting up shop alongside the art galleries.
Greenwich Village, on the other hand, has a long history as a centre of political and cultural radicalism. During the early 20th century, it was a hub of artistic activity, with writers such as Edna St. Vincent Millay and Eugene O'Neill making their homes there.
In the 1950s and '60s, the Village became a centre of the beat movement, with figures like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg frequenting local bars and cafes. Later, the neighbourhood became a centre of the LGBTQ rights movement, with the Stonewall Inn riots in 1969 sparking a wave of activism that helped to change the course of American history.
Throughout its history, Greenwich Village has been home to a diverse array of local personalities, from the anarchist Emma Goldman to the folk singer Bob Dylan. It remains a thriving cultural centre, with theatres, music venues, and performance spaces filling the historic buildings that line its streets.
Both SoHo and Greenwich Village are neighbourhoods with a rich cultural and historical heritage, shaped by the diverse array of local personalities who have called them home over the years.
Let's start our walking tour at Lafayette Street and the Little Singer Building in SoHo.
The Little Singer Building is a beautiful cast-iron building constructed in the 1800s. It was initially the headquarters of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and now houses a variety of businesses and residences.
From there, we can walk north on Lafayette Street and take a right onto Prince Street. This street is known for its high-end shopping, including the famous Polo Ralph Lauren store. The brand was named after the sport of polo, and its founder, Ralph Lauren, began his career selling ties in 1967.
Continuing down Prince Street, we come to the intersection with Greene Street, where we can see a beautiful street sculpture featuring bronze bulls. This area is known for its historic cast-iron buildings, which were constructed in the 1800s and featured intricate details and ornate facades.
Moving on, we can turn right onto Spring Street and walk towards the intersection with Greene Street. Here, we can find Time Landscape, an outdoor sculpture created by artist Alan Sonfist that recreates the pre-colonial West Village terrain. The little plot features birch and beech trees, oaks and elms, and woodland with red cedar, black cherry, and witch hazel above-ground cover of mugwort, Virginia creeper, aster, pokeweed, and milkweed.
Continuing, we can take a left onto West Houston Street and make our way towards the historic Isaacs-Hendricks House, which is thought to be the oldest home in Greenwich Village. Built-in 1799 by merchant Joshua Isaacs, the house still stands on the corner of Bedford and Commerce Streets and has been well-preserved by history-minded residents.
From there, we can explore the charming residential enclave of Bedford Street, with its red brick and wood frame homes built in the 1840s and beyond. At the corner of Commerce Street, we can see the Isaacs-Hendricks House once again, where it all began.
This short walking tour offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of SoHo and Greenwich Village, with their cast-iron buildings, high-end shopping, and historic homes.
