SoHo, South of Hudson, is not just for artists anymore in 2023. The urban homesteaders who transformed light-filled industrial lofts into highly desirable living space south of Houston Street have moved on, leaving behind a paradise of unique architecture and trendy boutiques. You will be sharing lines with fashion-conscious tourists at some of the city’s hottest restaurants and galleries, but it is all part of the neighborhood’s youthful vibe.
The median home sale price in SoHo was $3.7M, a 16% increase year-over-year (YOY). A total of 31 properties changed hands during each quarter of 2022, representing a 32% contraction compared to the same quarter the previous year. (2021) The median price per square foot was $1,867, a 0% YoY change in the fourth quarter of 2022. In Manhattan, the median home sale price was $1M. SoHo is a desirable neighborhood.
Premium shopping is just one of the draws of hip SoHo, with its timelessly fashionable crowd and a wide array of expensive boutiques. This is a youthful area with high rents and never-ending nightlife. While some of the classic artists’ lofts and galleries are still there, new condos and converted lofts have taken over the real estate landscape.
SoHo Wood Flooring Company
A large chunk of SoHo has been designated the SoHo Cast Iron Historic District with authentic hardwood floors. SoHo units have everything a home requires including a living room, bedrooms, and full fitted bathrooms. From 1840 until 1880 cast iron was all the rage in construction with pre-assembled facades in ornate French and Italianate styles being quick to install and relatively cheap. Today the greatest concentration of cast iron architecture in the world is found along the Belgian block cobblestone streets of SoHo, some 250 buildings in all. The Little Singer Building at 561 Broadway is a beautiful landmark and a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture.
Beaux-Arts architecture
The formal neoclassicism of the old regime was challenged by four teachers at the Academy, Joseph-Louis Duc, Félix Duban, Henri Labrouste and Léon Vaudoyer, who had studied at the French Academy in Rome at the end of the 1820s. They wanted to break away from the strict formality of the old style by introducing new models of architecture from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Their goal was to create an authentic French style based on French models. The Beaux-Arts style heavily influenced the architecture of the United States in the period from 1880 to 1920. Hardwood floors that are 100 years old need careful care.
Sound Finish
Caring for 100-year-old floors is a challenge. Use a vinegar mixture on sound finishes. To see if your finish is sound, apply a few drops of water in a worn area. If the water beads for a few minutes, the finish is sound. Then, make a mixture of 1 c (240 mL) of white vinegar and 3 US gal (11 L) of warm water. Dip a terry cloth mop head or a terry cloth hand towel into the solution, then wipe down your floors with it.
- Try mixing castile soapinto water as an alternative to vinegar.
- Never use products made for vinyl or tile on wood floors. The chemicals in those products can dull the floors and remove shine.
- Avoid cleaning with ammonia or lemon juice, since the acidity can damage old wood.
- Avoid using a steam mop to clean old hardwood floors. Steam can warp or damage hardwood flooring over time.
Unsound Finishes
Use mineral spirits on unsound finishes. To see if your finish is unsound, sprinkle a few drops of water in a worn area. If the water absorbs into the floor after a few minutes, your finish is unsound. It’s best to clean a floor with an unsound finish with odorless mineral spirits. Dampen a terry cloth towel and wipe down the hardwood floors, then let the floor dry.
- Mineral spirits can cause irritation. Always wear gloves and goggles and ventilate the area while cleaning.
- You can clean your floors with mineral spirits as often as you’d like. Mineral spirits don’t damage wood.
- Avoid using water-based cleaning products on an unsound finish. Since your floor absorbs water, using a water-based product can cause the wood to warp.
Spills
Wipe up spills as soon as possible. Coffee, ink, paint, and pet messes are just a few materials that can cause long-term stains. Wipe up these and other spills immediately to prevent stains from setting. Use a slightly dampened cloth and avoid over-saturating the floor with water.
- Even small things, like letting an ice cube melt on the floors, can cause stains or warping over time.
- For pet stains, mix a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water, then use a sponge to spread the solution onto the stain. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then clean it up with a dry towel. If your finish is unsound, be sure to wipe up the mixture right away to avoid letting it soak into your floors.
Wax
Test your floors to see if they’re waxed. Unless you know your floors are unwaxed, you’ll need to test for wax in order to know how to best care for your flooring. Dampen a piece of extra fine steel wool and use it to rub areas you think might be waxed.
- Wax will show up as a light gray smudge or smear on the steel wool.
- Floors that date prior to 1930 typically have many layers of paste wax over a tung oil finish or shellac.
SoHo Wood Flooring Company
Regular sweeping with a soft bristle broom is the best way to accomplish this. Vacuuming can also work but be careful that the hose attachment, vacuum wheels, or floor brushes do not scratch the floors. Dry mopping can also be effective, but avoid those treated with chemicals, as they may dull your finish.
Contact us about your 100-year-old floors
Schedule a free Consultation https://hudsonfloorgroup.com/service-areas/new-jersey/
Homeowners and business owners get the same high-quality service at Hudson Flooring. We work with architects, designers, builders, and general contractors. Hudson Flooring is a trusted flooring company since 2008. Hudson Floor Group Inc has been a leading provider of residential & commercial flooring products and flooring services including installation, restoration, refinishing, maintenance, and design consultation services to a growing number of loyal customers throughout the Tri-state area especially in SoHo, NYC. Certifications OSHA, NWFA, and FSC. Email info@hudsonflooring.com Website https://hudsonfloorgroup.com/about/
Phone 201-644-4400