SoHo, short for South of Houston Street, is an upscale neighborhood in Manhattan probably best known as a shopping district.
As upscale as the area is today, that hasn't always been the case, and the neighborhood has a long and varied history.
The land was given to freed slaves of the Dutch West India Company in colonial times, making it the first black settlement in Manhattan. Then, in the mid-1800’s, the area served as the heart of the growing city’s entertainment district, housing large shops, theaters and brothels.
After the civil war, SoHo become a center for large manufacturers, but that era didn't last long, and the neighborhood started a long decline. By the 1950s the area was full of small factories and sweatshops and largely abandoned at night. These conditions depressed the costs of living and, in the 1960s, artists, began moving into the neighborhood to take advantage of the large manufacturing lofts and inexpensive rent.
Today, of course, the neighborhood is one of the city's most expensive, filled with high-end restaurants and shops, as well as a good number of chain stores. Increasingly, tech companies are moving to the area, taking advantage of the neighborhood's prime location, access to subway lines, and proximity to Midtown and the Financial District.
Recent fundings:
- : $40 million, May 14, 2015
- : $130 million, August 20, 2015Our NYC office is located in Soho -- a lively neighborhood with many cultural, culinary, care, and shopping options -- and is easily accessible via the B, D, F, M, and 6 trains.
- : $54 million, September 30, 2015With limitless eateries, shops, startups, fashion and art around us, it’s almost impossible to not be inspired in our SoHo headquarters.
- : $45 million, January 14, 2016Our office is located in Flatiron, a central neighborhood in Manhattan with numerous trendy restaurants, shops, and workout studios!
- : $100 million, April 30, 2015
- : $75.6 million, July 7, 2015Usually you will find us in SoHo (NYC) or Covent Gardens (London)! Both office locations are easy to get to and have lots of fun restaurants, bars, and shopping nearby.
Companies to know:
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Word on the street: "We decided to headquarter RFM in SoHo for a number of reasons,” said John Reynolds, CEO and cofounder at RFM. “It is a high-traffic area where a lot of people shop and we were able to colocate with fashion showroom, Mahna Mahna. Additionally, there's easy access to just about all of the city’s subway lines and the neighborhood is high-energy with a lot of great brands nearby."
Transportation:
- Bike Share Stations: 13
- Subways: Houston Street: 1; Prince Street: N, R; Bleecker Street: 6; Spring Street: C, E, 6; Canal Street: 1, A, C, E, R, 6, J, Z
Coworking spaces: The Farm SoHo, WeWork Soho, WeWork Soho West, WeWork Soho South, WeWork West Broadway, Fueled Collective, Impact Hub NYC
Best places for a caffeine jolt: Le Colombe Coffee, Ground Support, Harney & Sons, Cafe Integral, Everyman Espresso, Maman, Peddler, Gasoline Alley Coffee
Best happy hours: Puck Fair, Baby Grand, Lucky Strike, Broome Street Bar, Brinkley’s Broome Street
Best place to grab a slice: Saluggi’s, Rubirosa, Champion Pizza, Arturo’s
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