SoHo, Little Italy and Hudson Square

Understanding SoHo, Little Italy and Hudson Square

The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s SoHo report describes a post-Civil War district of wholesale dry-goods and manufacturing buildings. Both cast iron and masonry helped form the store-and-loft streetscape. A historic-district designation explains protected architecture; it is not a complete definition of the neighborhood or its present uses.

Little Italy’s museum centers Italian American history at Mulberry Street. Hudson Square has a separate industrial association with printing. Freeman Plaza East turns a site beside Holland Tunnel traffic into a planted seating area, with buffers, paths and art. These places add cultural and everyday uses to a visit focused on building fronts.

Places to explore

• SoHo store-and-loft streetscape

  SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District and its extension

  Look at the cast-iron and masonry exteriors as evidence of the wholesale and manufacturing district described by the city's designation report. Keep the visit to public streets around the occupied buildings.

• Italian American Museum

  151 Mulberry Street, Little Italy

  Explore Italian American history and culture in Little Italy. Check public visiting days or arrange an appointment where required.

• Housing Works Bookstore Café

  126 Crosby Street

  Browse the secondhand bookshop and its café. The operator describes a charitable mission and a limited café menu. Check current opening and event arrangements.

• Freeman Plaza East

  Varick Street between Broome and Watts Streets, Hudson Square

  This planted plaza has seating and an Isamu Noguchi sculpture. Plan a daytime visit: it is seasonal and closes at dusk.

Planning a visit

Choose the museum, Crosby Street bookshop or Hudson Square plaza before planning onward travel. Follow its listed street entrance.

Freeman Plaza East's operator describes accessible paths. Check the station and street approach for your chosen stop separately.