The Lofts of SoHo: Gentrification, Art, and Industry in New York, 1950-1980

Placeholder author icon
By Aaron Shkuda

Published June 14, 2016

The Lofts of SoHo: Gentrification, Art, and Industry in New York, 1950-1980 traces the history of the SoHo district from industrial space to artists’ haven to upper-class residential neighborhood. Aaron Shkuda, project manager of the Princeton-Mellon Initiative in Architecture, Urbanism, and the Humanities, describes how the development of this district showcases the role artists have played in shaping cities.

Paw in print

Image
The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
The Latest Issue

February 2026

Lives Lived & Lost in 2025, Saying ’yes’ to more housing; AI startup stars