URBP 70100 The Creation of SoHo

The Creation of SoHo

Caitlin Chan History and Theory of Planning

Search on Google and type in “soho nyc,” the first image that pops up are these great cast iron buildings with cobblestone roads, that have their first floors rented out to luxury brand stores and the top floors are expensive Manhattan lofts primarily home to artists. (Fig. 1) Today SoHo is known as a historic district and an artist neighborhood but before all the foreign brands and creatives moved in there was essentially nothing “SoHo like” at all. To come to a state of worldwide recognition, the introduction of prostitution and exclusive brothels influenced this space to become the “SoHo” that tourists from cities around the world strive to experience with their own eyes.

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The earliest notable use of SoHo was “Manhattan’s first free Black settlement in the

mid-1600s. In the 1640s, Dutch West India Company began allowing “half-freedom” to slaves who were able to create settlements, another name at the time would be the “Land of the Blacks.” During the 18th century, the SoHo area functioned as farmland (Fig. 2) with access to Collect Pond and transitioned through urban development as population and industry grew.

While unfortunately the pond and stream became polluted and mosquito infested, this urged for the necessary paving and filling of this once farmland and allowed for new development. Middle class houses and retail businesses begin to populate the space, notable names to include are Tiffany & Co. and Lord & Taylor. The first cast-iron structure in New York was built in 1848 at the corner of Centre and Duane Streets. (Fig. 10) With business booming, more cast iron buildings were constructed as well as hotels and stores along Broadway. (Fig. 3) Where we see life is thriving we also see more entertainment activities open to the public, theaters and music halls begin to develop. “By the mid-19th Century, Broadway between Canal and Houston was the entertainment capital of the city, while the nearby streets supported a well-known red light district.” In the mid 19th century, acts of prostitution2 were found in SoHo which “formed the city’s first sex district.” Despite these “special districts,” venturing northward throughout the years, the method of navigating this world remained the same, which was through printed guidebooks. These catalogs had all the information needed to help find specific sex workers in the numerous brothels. “In the 1850s, patrons needed help finding the city’s illicit brothels that law enforcement mostly turned a blind eye to.” Essentially even before we had Yelp or Google 1

Coldwell Banker Warburg. A Brief History of SoHo. 2017. A Brief History of SoHo - Coldwell Banker Warburg : Coldwell Banker Warburg (cbwarburg.com) 2 Bottles, Julia and Chiwaya, Nigel. MAP: Discover the Hidden History of New Roek’s First Sex Districts. MAP: Discover the Hidden History of New York's First Sex Districts - Flatiron - New York - DNAinfo

Reviews, these “vest pocket books would list a brothel’s address, proprietress’s name and often a review.” Oftentimes there are ratings about how “classy” one was compared to others, there was also data of the headcount of workers. These “assignation houses” rented furnished rooms for unmarried couples or men who are seeking for a prostitute they recently met. New York’s population increased during the first half of the 19th century from “roughly 60,000 in 1800 to more than 515,000 in 1850. Lower Manhattan became too overcrowded which influenced the middle class and upper class to move to modern day Chelsea and Flatiron. As manufacturing increased this led to middle class residents wanting to move uptown with new available real estate. The 8th Ward lost roughly 25% of its residential population from 1860 to 1865. (Fig. 5) Landlords took advantage of the unused housing for converting them into brothels. The key feature was new buildings with multiple bedrooms created the “ideal parlor houses,” with a small workforce of women and featuring private entrances that are only accessible during reserved appointments. “These brothels worked in harmony with a burgeoning tourism industry in SoHo.” To keep tourists entertained, there were many theaters being built along with restaurants and nightclubs attached. In the last two decades of the 19th century, there were many arrests and grand jury indictments for operating brothels. Many of the old parlor and boarding houses were knocked down to create mixed use buildings. In the 1920s, prostitution was shunned due to progressive reform laws and eventually moved to the telephone which made it more discreet for arrangements. At the same time, large scale manufacturers (metal, glass, textile) took advantage of the vacant space (Fig. 4) by expanding and building larger warehouses and factories, “using cast-iron techniques to accommodate large machinery and sizable workforces.” These companies remained in SoHo until after WWII, eventually they moved out south or into New Jersey and Brooklyn. 3This barren neighborhood became known as Hell’s Hundred Acres, sweatshops, parking garages, and gas stations came to fill the “unwanted” commercial spaces. It wasn’t until we reached the 1960s we saw artists emerge and claim these abandoned buildings. They were able to find use in the “oversized loft spaces, high ceilings, and ample natural light, and of course, the cheap or free accommodations.” In 1961, the New York City Fire and Buildings Departments threatened artists moving into SoHo with eviction due to the fact that these buildings are “fire traps.” The trademark of the name “SoHo” wasn’t given until 1963, when city 3

Bowery Boys. The Story of SoHo: The Iron-Clad History of ‘Hell’s Hundred Acres.’ 2017. The Story of SoHo: The Iron-Clad History of 'Hell's Hundred Acres' - The Bowery Boys: New York City History (boweryboyshistory.com)

planner Chester Rapkin used the term in a city planning report. This was during the time when Robert Moses introduced his Lower Manhattan Expressway plan (Fig. 6) that would have destroyed what we know as SoHo and other downtown neighborhoods with a roadway linking the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges to the Holland Tunnel. (Fig. 7) Knowing that there are hundreds of artists living illegally in SoHo buildings zoned for manufacturing, in 1969, the Department of City Planning conducted a survey that resulted in the rezoning of Soho. The Board of Estimates in 1971, made it legal for certified artists to live in joint living and work quarters (JLWQ) in the newly zoned SoHo area. (Fig. 8) In 1986, all residents of SoHo and NoHo were granted a one-time approval but even today it is illegal for residential units to lack a certified-artist occupant in the M1-MA and M1-MB zoning districts, although enforcement by boards and building owners has been infrequent. (Fig. 9) The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission4 designated the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic district in 1973, approximately 500 buildings were protected. (Fig. 13) In 2010, the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension was created to protect an additional 100-plus buildings along the eastern and western borders of the original district. (Fig. 14) Through the many stages of SoHo, not only did we see how successful New York City neighborhoods prevailed through many obstacles but how it was influenced by many outside factors that people do not typically realize. 5The first settlers were not rich nor had any support from the government at the time to be able to grow and thrive. The farmland was not only influenced by the people who lived there but also by the ecosystem involved like the mosquitos that forced the closure of the pond. It took years for more settlers to realize how valuable this area is due to its location and open plots of land. The first merchants and manufacturers took the chance to start their businesses here without knowing whether or not they would be able to survive long term. 6You may call it a stroke of luck or by chance but business was booming and the population was growing fast. Once there’s a solid foundation then necessary amenities must 4

NYCLPC. Historic District Maps for Manhattan. 2022. https://www.nyc.gov/site/lpc/designations/historic-district-manhattan.page 5 Barr, A. SoHo, New York: Mixed Use, Density and the Power of the Myth. 2007. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018_03_12_documents_informational_SoHo_New_York_Pa per_alastair_barr_nd.pdf 6

Lynch, M. SOHO - FROM BOHO TO BOBO: The Business Establishments of West Broadway. 2011. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/filefield_paths/2018_03_12_documents_informational_From_Boho_to_S oHo_m_Lynch_2011.pdf

be able to keep settlers occupied and wanting to stay. Here we see the beginnings of various entertainment services and this enlightens how culture and social values are an important part of these neighborhoods. It's not just about money, the people have to feel included and be aware that their participation is important. While the types of entertainment are changing overtime due to changes in culture, we still see a pattern of human based development where their interests are factored into how life should be planned. From theater performances to hidden brothels, light to large scale manufacturing, the uses change or evolve overtime. As technology becomes more advanced we see further expansion and urban development, more opportunities and possibilities are unlocked to again create a thriving neighborhood. There was no one set use of SoHo which made it unique compared to other neighborhoods, the mixture of the old and new attracted all kinds of people and is what makes it standout. We see an example of a crocs store (Fig. 12) reusing an old building that was once a food market many years ago. (Fig. 11) Not many districts in New York City or even in the world can accomplish the same goals. But like every success story there were also times of complete silence that left the neighborhood wondering if it was at its end. The title of Hell’s Hundred Acres is a heck of an achievement, the name alone can be read as the ultimate ending to this once success story that started from the ground up, farmland to entertainment capital. The main players who started the SoHo success story ended up leaving for more space and better accommodations. The one thing that kept it from going under that many would not have thought of at the time was the cast iron architecture. Buildings made out of cast iron allowed low costs, high durability, and extra strength to support large windows. An impressive model at the time that today it's admired by visitors around the world. It’s hard to believe these historic buildings were once occupied for automobile care services. Even in places with no hope, miracles can happen. 7The group of people who appreciated these large windows exposed to natural light were the artists. Without proper homes and no stable sources of income, these undesirable spaces became their sanctuary where they are free to express themselves. This was different from when the theaters and brothels were dominating these streets, a new type of class full of creatives that were free to showcase a wide range of thoughts and ideas. The top floors of these cast iron buildings were living spaces and the bottom floors were galleries. Over 7

Burdan, E. SOHO: NEW YORK CITY: Artists in the Shadow of Urban Development. 2016. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018_03_12_documents_informational_SoHo_New%20York_ Artists_in_the_Shadow_of_Urban_Development_2016.pdf

time more galleries sprouted and more artists were filling these once abandoned spaces. You would think this would be the thing to finally cement the success of SoHo? Well you thought wrong, here comes Robert Moses and his all powerful Lower Manhattan Expressway plan that will put SoHo along with other downtown neighborhoods on the “chopping block.” His idea was to create a roadway linking the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges to the Holland Tunnel, but who is actually benefiting from this plan? The wealthy folks who can afford cars and demand to be able to drive whenever and wherever who don’t realize the impact it has on the entire population. Thankfully this plan was never able to push forward but Robert Moses didn’t actually negatively influence SoHo, if anything he played a part in what makes it so special today. It was not intentional but Moses put SoHo on the map and saved it. People realized how important the lives of the residents and workers in this neighborhood contributed to the sustainability of New York City. The artists were able to stay but with planning becoming more aware of living standards, zoning laws were implemented and SoHo was once again threatened to become empty once again. 8It was and still is illegal to live in manufacturing districts but fortunately the city decided to keep SoHo as a special district then the artists must be certified to live in these now lofty units with spacious rooms with sufficient access to light and air.

With every good ending there is a new beginning, SoHo was designated a historic district in the 1970s and recently was expanded. Taking a step back to look at the big picture, we see farmland eventually becoming a historic district, that is now occupied by creatives and many retail brands, that open its doors to thousands of visitors per year. It has become today an “9alluring destination where prestigious global brands must visit flagship stores and discerning buyers scramble to obtain their own bit of New York City history.” Let that information sink in and keep in mind SoHo’s story is not ending yet and the future is bright.

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SoHo Memory Project. Are There Still Artists Living in SoHo? 2016. https://sohomemory.org/are-there-still-artists-living-in-soho#:~:text=In%201969%2C%20the%20Department%20of, the%20newly%2Dzoned%20SoHo%20area.

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Coldwell Banker Warburg. A Brief History of SoHo. 2017. A Brief History of SoHo - Coldwell Banker Warburg : Coldwell Banker Warburg (cbwarburg.com)

List of Figures

1. Woman walking in SoHo, taken from Google Images

2. West Bayard Farm, photo from Bowery Boys

3. The Broadway Entertainment District in 1836, photo by NYPL

4. 504-506 Broome Street, photo by Berenice Abbott (NYPL)

5. Auction poster from 1872 for Broome Street and South Fifth Avenue or Laurens Street, photo from MCNY

6. Lower Manhattan Expressway (proposed), photo by Collection MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archive

7. Lower Manhattan Expressway, map produced by vanshnookenraggen

8. (Left) SoHo Artists Association Records, 1968-1978, Archives of American Art (Smithsonian Institution) 9. (Right) SoHo Artists Association Records, 1968-1978, Archives of American Art (Smithsonian Institution)

10. The First Cast-Iron House in New York, photo from NYPL

11. (Left) 491 Broadway at Broome Street in 1905, Charles Von Urban Collection (MCNY) 12. (Right) 491 Broadway at Broome Street today, photo by the Wurts Bros.

13. SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, map by NYCLPC

14. SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension, map by NYCLPC

Works Consulted Barr, A. SoHo, New York: Mixed Use, Density and the Power of the Myth. 2007. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018_03_12_documents_informational_So Ho_New_York_Paper_alastair_barr_nd.pdf Bottles, Julia and Chiwaya, Nigel. MAP: Discover the Hidden History of New Roek’s First Sex Districts. MAP: Discover the Hidden History of New York's First Sex Districts - Flatiron - New York - DNAinfo Bowen, Christopher. SOHO: HISTORY, ART, CULTURE - AND PLENTY OF SHOPPING. 2001. SOHO: HISTORY, ART, CULTURE – AND PLENTY OF SHOPPING (nypost.com) Bowery Boys. The Story of SoHo: The Iron-Clad History of ‘Hell’s Hundred Acres.’ 2017. The Story of SoHo: The Iron-Clad History of 'Hell's Hundred Acres' - The Bowery Boys: New York City History (boweryboyshistory.com) Burdan, E. SOHO: NEW YORK CITY: Artists in the Shadow of Urban Development. 2016. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018_03_12_documents_informational_So Ho_New%20York_Artists_in_the_Shadow_of_Urban_Development_2016.pdf Coldwell Banker Warburg. A Brief History of SoHo. 2017. A Brief History of SoHo - Coldwell Banker Warburg : Coldwell Banker Warburg (cbwarburg.com) Denniscallan. SoHo and Greenwich Village, New York. 2018. SoHo and Greenwich Village, New York - YouTube Easterly, W., Freschi, L., & Pennings, S. A Long History of a Short Block: Four Centuries of Development Surprises on a Single Stretch of a New York City Street. 2015. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018_03_12_documents_informational_A_ Long_History_of_a_Short_Block_william_easterly_2015.pdf Lynch, M. SOHO - FROM BOHO TO BOBO: The Business Establishments of West Broadway.

2011. https://sohomemory.org/sites/default/files/filefield_paths/2018_03_12_documents_informational _From_Boho_to_SoHo_m_Lynch_2011.pdf

NYC Cultural Affairs. Artist Certification. 2022. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcla/downloads/pdf/artist_certification.pdf NYCLPC. Historic District Maps for Manhattan. 2022. https://www.nyc.gov/site/lpc/designations/historic-district-manhattan.page O’Connor, David. No One Lived in SoHo. Then the Artists Moved in. 2016. No One Lived in SoHo. Then the Artists Moved in. | History News Network Ohta, Yukie. SoHo Memory Project. 2022. Home | SoHo Memory Project.

SoHo Memory Project. Are There Still Artists Living in SoHo? 2016. https://sohomemory.org/are-there-still-artists-living-in-soho#:~:text=In%201969%2C%20the%2 0Department%20of,the%20newly%2Dzoned%20SoHo%20area.

Spitzer, Kaitlyn. SoHo. 2022. SoHo – History of New York City (shu.edu) The New York Preservation Archive Project. Soho- Cast Iron Historic District. 2022. SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District | NYPAP The New York Public Library Digital Collections. SOHO. 2022. Search results - "SOHO" NYPL Digital Collections Tingley, Judith K. The History of SOHO NYC. 2018. The History of SOHO NYC (usatoday.com) Urbanist: Exploring Cities. NEW YORK CITY TOUR: Dark Secrets of SoHo. 2019. NEW YORK CITY TOUR: Dark Secrets of SoHo - YouTube Walks of New York. New York’s SoHo: A Visitor’s Guide. 2012. New York's SoHo: A Visitor's Guide - Walks of New York