A Katz History Lesson: The SoHo Cast Iron Historic District
Today, we know SoHo for its upscale clothing shops and stylish people. But the neighborhood’s history tells a different tale. To learn more about it, there is no better place to focus on than the distinct section of about 500 buildings with unique cast-iron facades known as the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District.
During the Dutch Colonial period in the 1600s, the district was mostly farmland — like much of New York at the time. However, the residents on that farmland were mostly freed slaves of the Dutch West India Company, making it the site of the first free black settlement in Manhattan. The black population remained for over 200 years, until the neighborhood began to rapidly change from residential to commercial use.
Beginning in the late 18th century, businesses and wealthy residents began to move in. These residents grew in number and by the 19th century the district developed into a center of commerce and entertainment. Large retailers like Lord & Taylor opened stores. Major hotels followed their lead. Soon after came musical halls and theaters.
It was during this time that most of the cast-iron buildings the district is known for were constructed. Although the use of cast-iron dates to 5th century B.C., it wasn’t used in the construction of buildings until the Industrial Revolution when it became valuable because it was stronger than most other irons and could span great distances. In the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District, cast-iron was used to create intricate facades that were unique but also cheaper than other popular materials of the time, such as granite and marble.
With these newly erected structures, the district flourished through most of the 19th century. But by the early 20th century it nosedived into decline. Wealthy residents fled. Businesses followed. It wasn’t long before the district became defined for its vacant spaces and desolate streets, leading some to refer to it as “Hell’s Hundred Acres.”
In the 1960s the district came back to life, largely as a result of artists attracted to the large unoccupied loft spaces that could be turned into affordable studios. Many of the artists who came began to live in their workspaces, even though it was illegal and unsafe to do so. Around this time, the neighborhood was also threatened to become extinct because of plans by Robert Moses to build a ten-lane elevated highway to connect the Hudson to the East River.
Thankfully, artists, preservation advocates, and local leaders fought back, ultimately proving successful. After their victory, they attempted to designate SoHo as a historic district, but failed initially. They were eventually victorious in 1973, when the SoHo Cast Iron District received landmark status.
In the years following, galleries and more artists continued to make the area their home — particularly those associated with the downtown art scene. The area remained artistically vibrant through most of the 80s and 90s, until wealthier residents began to return in the early 2000s. In 2005, the construction of residential buildings on empty lots was permitted. Quite dramatically, the area quickly transformed from an affordable artist haven to a popular tourist destination full of upscale fashion boutiques, restaurants and some of the most expensive real estate in the entire country.
Today, the sidewalks of the district are crowded with tourists and vendors, making it difficult to see the history under the surface. However, the cast-iron nature of the district remains intact — reminding us all about its ornate past.
We are fortunate to be working on a new building in the district at the intersection of Grand and Wooster Streets. Because the building fronts on two streets, we are particularly sensitive to its relationship to the surrounding buildings — and so is the Landmarks Preservation Commission, who we recently presented to.
As stewards of the vocabulary of the historic district, the LPC has jurisdiction over all proposed work there. Our project will be a commercial building of shared work spaces. Similar to other buildings in the district, it will feature a muscular structural skeleton and large windows to draw in as much light as possible. Our clients are excited about it, and we are thrilled to add to the fabric of such a cultural rich area of New York City.
