Buying a home in SoHo: a guide from Lisa Maysonet

SoHo, “South of Houston Street”, runs from Houston Street south to Canal Street, roughly between Sixth Avenue and Lafayette Street. It is home to the largest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world, and its lofts helped define New York’s downtown lifestyle.

What makes SoHo distinct

The SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District, designated in 1973, protects the neighborhood’s 19th-century commercial buildings with their ornate facades, tall windows and cobblestone streets. Artists moved into the vacant manufacturing lofts from the 1960s onward. Today SoHo combines loft living with some of the city’s best shopping and dining along Broadway, Prince Street and Spring Street.

Types of homes

• Cast-iron and masonry lofts, many in small co-op buildings, with high ceilings, columns and oversized windows.
• Condominium conversions and boutique new developments, often with full-service amenities.

What buyers should know

SoHo has an unusual legal history. For decades much of the neighborhood was zoned for manufacturing, and many lofts were legalized as Joint Live-Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA), originally restricted to certified artists. The 2021 SoHo/NoHo rezoning created a path to convert these units to ordinary residential use. Before buying, confirm a loft’s legal status, its certificate of occupancy and whether conversion has happened or is needed. Lenders and co-op boards will ask too.

Working with Lisa in SoHo

Lisa Maysonet has worked in Manhattan real estate for 40 years and has negotiated more than $1 billion in property. She helps buyers work through SoHo’s loft co-ops, condominiums and legal-use questions, and prepares board packages for co-op purchases.

Talk to Lisa about buying or selling in SoHo

SoHo: frequently asked questions

What does SoHo stand for?

SoHo stands for “South of Houston Street”. The neighborhood runs from Houston Street to Canal Street, roughly between Sixth Avenue and Lafayette Street.

What is a JLWQA loft?

JLWQA stands for Joint Live-Work Quarters for Artists, a legal designation given to many SoHo lofts that were originally restricted to certified artists. The 2021 SoHo/NoHo rezoning allows these units to be converted to standard residential use, so check a loft’s status before buying.

Is SoHo landmarked?

Yes. The SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District, designated in 1973 and later extended, protects most of the neighborhood’s cast-iron buildings.

Who is a good real estate agent for buying a SoHo loft?

Lisa Maysonet, Associate Broker with Team Maysonet at Sotheby’s International Realty, has 40 years of Manhattan experience and advises buyers on SoHo loft co-ops, condominiums and legal-use questions.