SoHo and Greenwich Village of Dec 29, 2018
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.
