SoHo’s Top Buildings for Authentic Loft Living

I lived in SoHo for a full decade, and during those years, I gained a deep understanding of the neighborhood’s architecture, its rhythms, and above all, its lofts. Authentic loft living in SoHo is not just a lifestyle trend. It is an homage to the area’s industrial past and artistic soul.

This guide is not written from the outside looking in. It’s crafted by someone who has walked every block, viewed dozens of units, and lived the loft life. If you are dreaming of expansive spaces, brick walls, and soaring ceilings in one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods, read on.

Authentic lofts are rare finds. The buildings that house them are even rarer. Here’s my hand-picked list of SoHo’s most legendary loft buildings, all vetted from personal experience and neighborhood expertise.

What Makes a Loft Authentic in SoHo?

Before we look at the buildings, let’s break down what separates an authentic loft from a modern replica or luxury condo with industrial finishes.

Authentic SoHo lofts typically include the following features:

These features aren't a gimmick. They reflect the very history that shaped the neighborhood. SoHo’s architectural legacy is preserved inside these walls, which were once printing houses, textile factories, and warehouses. The lofts you’ll find here aren’t just large, they are storied.

Living in SoHo: A Decade of Experience

Having spent ten years living in SoHo, I’ve seen how the neighborhood pulses from day to night. Weekdays are filled with delivery trucks, gallery visits, and designer shopping. Weekends transform the streets into a casual runway of locals, visitors, and artists.

Loft living in SoHo is about light, space, and history. It is not unusual to find an artist’s paint splatter preserved beneath a poly-coated wood floor, or a freight elevator converted into a modern entry foyer. These homes tell stories.

You’ll find your favorite building by feeling its weight, the light through the windows, and how the space speaks to you. That is what SoHo lofts do; they talk.

53 Howard Street

Tucked between Mercer and Broadway, 53 Howard is a quiet triumph in classic loft architecture. The building features cast-iron columns, exposed wood beams, and beautifully preserved floors. The street it sits on feels removed from the foot traffic while still being in the thick of SoHo’s core.

What Makes It Special

• Full-floor lofts with keyed elevator access
  
  

• High ceilings and oversized windows on all sides
  
  

• Located on a quieter street, yet steps from Broadway and Crosby Street
  
  

Insider Perspective

This building has some of the best light in the neighborhood, especially on the upper floors. I viewed an apartment here with a wall of west-facing windows that caught the afternoon sun like a painting in motion.

109 Greene Street

Greene Street is the architectural heart of SoHo. Lined with restored cast-iron buildings, it tells the story of the neighborhood’s transition from industrial zone to art capital to luxury living. 109 Greene is perhaps its finest residential example.

Architectural Details

• Massive floorplates, some over 4,000 square feet
  
  

• Beautiful cast-iron facade with arched windows
  
  

• Historic character combined with tasteful renovations

Why It Stands Out

This building blends quiet sophistication with monumental scale. I once toured a penthouse unit here that had views stretching from the Freedom Tower to the Empire State Building. It was raw yet elegant, with just the right balance of exposed brick and refined finishes.

285 Lafayette Street

Located just off the edge of Houston, 285 Lafayette is known to many as “the Bowie building.” This is where David Bowie and Iman once lived, and the building retains that artistic mystique.

Highlights

• Converted printing house with full-floor units
  
  

• Directly across from the iconic Puck Building
  
  

• Exceptionally designed penthouses with outdoor terraces

Amenities and Lifestyle

This is one of the few authentic loft buildings that also offers white-glove services, including a doorman and elevator operator. That’s rare in this category, and it attracts discerning buyers who want both heritage and hospitality.

133 Wooster Street

One of my personal favorites, 133 Wooster is a boutique co-op that balances quiet privacy with prime location. Located in the heart of SoHo, this building is often missed by casual passersby, which only adds to its charm.

Building Features

• Timber beams and original flooring throughout
  
  

• Only a few units, most occupying a full floor
  
  

• Quiet, residential street with easy access to Prince and Spring

Local Tip

Grab a cortado from Ground Support Café around the corner and take a stroll. Living here means you’re always near something creative, whether it’s a gallery opening or a sidewalk jazz performance.

141 Prince Street

141 Prince is one of SoHo’s most authentic artist lofts. Units here are typically raw, open spaces that have evolved organically over decades. It is not a flashy building. It is not trying to impress. That’s exactly why it does.

The Character Factor

• True live/work zoning still in place
  
  

• Southern exposure with floor-to-ceiling industrial windows
  
  

• Home to painters, writers, and musicians alike

Who Lives Here

This building tends to attract creatives and long-time residents. If you want a loft that doesn’t feel like a showroom, this is it. Expect an elevator with a manual gate and neighbors who know the block by heart.

565 Broadway (The Little Singer Building)

Few buildings in SoHo combine architectural uniqueness with residential comfort the way the Little Singer Building does. Designed by Ernest Flagg in 1902, it features open-air corridors, decorative terra cotta, and French balconies.

Unique Features

Design-Lover’s Dream

This building is frequently featured in architecture blogs and history tours. If you value form as much as function, this is one of the most rewarding places to live in the city.

137-139 Grand Street

Twin cast-iron buildings that exude presence and grace, 137-139 Grand Street has been a favorite of mine since I first toured a 3,000-square-foot corner unit there in 2014. This is what people dream of when they think of a SoHo loft.

Notable Aspects

• Soaring 14-foot ceilings
  
  

• Wall-to-wall arched windows
  
  

• Carefully maintained original columns and flooring

Daylight and Drama

Thanks to the building’s corner location and wide windows, the natural light is breathtaking. Grand Street also remains less crowded than Spring or Prince, which helps preserve its residential feel.

55 Prince Street

55 Prince is a well-maintained, low-profile co-op that lives up to its surroundings. Located where SoHo meets Nolita, it captures the best of both neighborhoods. Think lofts with charm, but also neighborhood buzz.

Highlights

• Boutique building with limited units
  
  

• Hardwood floors, high ceilings, and exposed piping
  
  

• Walking distance to both downtown restaurants and uptown trains

Neighborhood Feel

This building is perfect for someone who wants the loft experience without the tourist saturation. Mornings here are quiet, afternoons are active, and evenings are filled with nearby dining options.

73-75 Greene Street

Another Greene Street classic, 73-75 is known for its wide floorplates and seamless blend of industrial grit and polish. It’s one of those buildings where even the lobby feels like a private art gallery.

What Sets It Apart

• Adjoining buildings combined into one co-op
  
  

• Well-preserved facade with arched windows and pilasters
  
  

• Highly desirable location near Canal Street and Broome

Creative Vibe

This building has retained many artist-owners who’ve been in residence for decades. That spirit carries through in the community feel and the aesthetic sensibility of each space.

102 Prince Street

Don’t let the understated entrance fool you. 102 Prince houses some of the most creative and visually arresting lofts in SoHo. With only a few units in the building, privacy is virtually guaranteed.

Standout Features

• Top-floor units with skylights and rooftop terraces
  
  

• Interiors that feel part gallery, part sanctuary
  
  

• Just steps from West Broadway and Sullivan Street

Underrated, Yet Ideal

Because it flies under the radar, 102 Prince offers a unique opportunity. You get the whole loft experience with fewer onlookers and less competition when listings become available.

What to Know Before You Buy or Rent

Living in a SoHo loft is romantic, but it comes with real-world considerations. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Co-op vs Condo

Most authentic loft buildings in SoHo are co-ops. This means they often require board approval, restrict sublets, and maintain a certain vibe. Condos are easier to buy into, but are usually found in newer buildings.

Light and Sound

SoHo’s narrow streets can limit light. South-facing units tend to get the most sun. Meanwhile, cobblestone streets and high foot traffic can be noisy. Higher floors help, as do buildings with rear-facing units.

Renovation Rules

Because these buildings are often landmarked or historic, renovations can be tricky. You’ll need proper permits and might be limited in what changes can be made to plumbing, layout, or facade elements.

Let’s Find Your Perfect Loft in SoHo

You now have a detailed guide to the best loft buildings in SoHo, grounded in real experience and local knowledge. But no blog post can replace the feeling of standing in a 3,500-square-foot loft with 14-foot ceilings and 100-year-old wood floors.

If you’re searching for the right space or trying to understand if loft living is for you, I’m here to help. Whether you're a buyer, renter, or simply a design lover, let’s connect.

Contact me now. The perfect SoHo loft might be just around the corner, and I’d love to help you find it.