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SoHo / Hudson Square
Landmark cast-iron loft district. The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District constrains exterior work, and the building stock skews to small condos and co-ops in pre-1900 industrial conversions. Hudson Square (the western edge) carries newer construction at the office-to-residential boundary.
Building Stock
Predominantly 4-8 story 19th-century cast-iron loft conversions, typically 4-12 units per building. A handful of new-construction luxury towers along West Broadway and Sixth Avenue. Hudson Square has a growing cohort of 2010s+ office-to-residential conversions.
Active Managing Agents
The most common managing agents operating in SoHo / Hudson Square include:
- AKAM Associates — portfolio and violation record
- FirstService Residential — portfolio and violation record
- Halstead Management — portfolio and violation record
- Orsid Realty — portfolio and violation record
See our full managing agent directory for violation records, portfolio size, and composite performance scores.
Key Issues to Watch For
- Small-building economics dominate — a 6-unit cast-iron loft has minimal reserves and limited capacity to absorb major capital expense.
- Cast-iron facade and original structural systems require specialized engineering; cycle costs vary widely depending on prior maintenance.
- Landmark district restrictions limit some retrofits (window replacement, mechanical upgrades) and can extend approval timelines.
- Loft-law conversions have unique legal status; verify Certificate of Occupancy and conversion compliance before signing.
Local Law 11 / FISP Exposure
Cast-iron facade inspections are not directly comparable to masonry FISP filings. SAFE classifications mask very different underlying condition states; insist on reading the full QEWI report, not the cover-sheet status.
For a complete explanation of how Local Law 11 compliance — and non-compliance — affects your carrying costs, read our full LL11 briefing.
SoHo / Hudson Square at a Glance
Aggregate counts roll up only the buildings we have audited so far. Coverage expands as we score more buildings.
Highest-Risk Buildings in SoHo / Hudson Square
Ranked by composite risk score (HPD violations weighted by severity + 311 complaints + ECB fines + HPD litigation). Click any building for the full forensic profile.
| # | Address | Managing Agent | HPD-C | Total Viol. | 311 | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 West 4 Street | FirstService Residential | 0 | 17 | 760 | 3,432 |
| 2 | 111 Morton Street | AKAM Associates | 6 | 93 | 183 | 2,897 |
| 3 | 32 Commerce Street | FirstService Residential | 25 | 108 | 111 | 2,517 |
| 4 | 26 Thompson Street | FirstService Residential | 17 | 90 | 91 | 2,069 |
| 5 | 15 Charles Street | FirstService Residential | 4 | 46 | 112 | 2,046 |
| 6 | 9 Barrow Street | AKAM Associates | 0 | 1 | 376 | 1,903 |
| 7 | 42 8 Avenue | AKAM Associates | 7 | 46 | 158 | 1,755 |
| 8 | 22 Cornelia Street | FirstService Residential | 5 | 55 | 59 | 1,692 |
| 9 | 395 Broadway | FirstService Residential | 4 | 16 | 107 | 1,655 |
| 10 | 2 Horatio Street | FirstService Residential | 4 | 65 | 64 | 1,585 |
Managing Agents Operating in SoHo / Hudson Square
Ranked by number of audited buildings under management. From HPD Registration filings.
- FirstService Residential 47 buildings
- AKAM Associates 18 buildings
Your Elected Representatives
NYC condo & co-op governance reform happens in Albany and at City Hall. These are the lawmakers covering this neighborhood.
Before You Sign a Contract
- Pull the building's record — use our building search to get HPD violations, DOB complaints, managing agent history, and composite risk.
- Read the full offering plan and last three annual financial statements — don't accept a summary.
- Check the reserve fund — benchmarks vary by building age and size, but thin reserves are the canary for upcoming special assessments.
- Ask about upcoming capital projects — facade, elevator, lobby, roof, mechanical — and pin down the budget.
- Verify the tax abatement status — if 421-a or another abatement is expiring, model the reset on your carrying costs 5 and 10 years out.
- Search NYSCEF for active litigation — against the board, the managing agent, or the sponsor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SoHo / Hudson Square a good place to buy a condo or co-op?
SoHo / Hudson Square can be a good buy, but only with building-specific due diligence. Landmark cast-iron loft district. The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District constrains exterior work, and the building stock skews to small condos and co-ops in pre-1900 industrial conversions. Hudson Square (the western edge) carries newer construction at the office-to-residential boundary. Use our building search to pull the specific property's violation record, managing agent history, and risk score before you commit.
What managing agents operate in SoHo / Hudson Square?
Major managing agents active in SoHo / Hudson Square include AKAM Associates, FirstService Residential, Halstead Management, Orsid Realty. Each has a different portfolio size, service tier, and violation track record — check each one's profile on our managing agent directory before bidding on a building managed by any of them.
What are the most common issues in SoHo / Hudson Square buildings?
Small-building economics dominate — a 6-unit cast-iron loft has minimal reserves and limited capacity to absorb major capital expense. Cast-iron facade and original structural systems require specialized engineering; cycle costs vary widely depending on prior maintenance. For the full list of risks to verify before signing a contract, read the main neighborhood briefing above.
How does Local Law 11 / FISP affect SoHo / Hudson Square buildings?
Cast-iron facade inspections are not directly comparable to masonry FISP filings. SAFE classifications mask very different underlying condition states; insist on reading the full QEWI report, not the cover-sheet status. Our full LL11 guide explains what to look for in any facade report: condoscoopsnyc.org/issues/local-law-11-cost-opacity/
Related Resources
- The Complete Guide to Buying a Condo in NYC
- The Hidden Costs of Buying a Condo in NYC
- 10 Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- True Cost Calculator — Calculate Your 5-Year Cost
- Search Any NYC Building
- Managing Agent Directory & Ratings