scrapbook marquee image
Everyday Life in SoHo

SoHo Scrapbook

 

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for the SoHo Scrapbook!

These images give us a glimpse into everyday life in SoHo, then and now. Above, a slideshow in random order, below, photos with captions by person. 

I hope this "scrapbook" provides some welcome diversion from our grim present. If you have photos you'd like to add, send them to me at yukie@sohomemory.org and I'll post them here. Remember, a photo of a photo from your phone is fine, no fancy scanner necessary. And submissions can be from any time as long as they are related to SoHo.

Stay safe and healthy. 

 


Alex

SoHo Street
SoHo Street, date unknown

Barney

Becky wooster street
1972 Truck loading platform on Wooster Becky and her pearls
1972 @loft July 4, 1972 Becky& Vanessa with the cousins
1972 @loft July 4, 1972 Becky& Vanessa  with the cousins
Xmas 1972 at loft Becky and Vanessa
Xmas 1972 at loft Becky and Vanessa
1971 Barney taking a break from working on loft space
1971 Barney taking a break from working on loft space
1973 Wooster Street L-R Becky, Ruby, Vanessa
1973 Wooster Street L-R Becky, Ruby, Vanessa 
1973 Houston and Wooster on NYU grass Barney with the great danes Iko, Harlot, and Earth
1973  Houston and Wooster on NYU grass Barney with the great danes Iko, Harlot, and Earth

 

Crista

Birthday Party at Silver Towers 1, 1970s
Birthday Party at Silver Towers 1, 1970s
Birthday Party at Silver Towers 2, 1970s
Birthday Party at Silver Towers 2, 1970s
Birthday Party at Silver Towers 3, 1970s
Birthday Party at Silver Towers 3, 1970s

 

Douglas

Dunn Performance Exhibit 101
Douglas Dunn in Performance Exhibit 101, lying (four hours each day for seven weeks) nine feet up on top of a loft-filling maze of industrial pallets, third floor at 508 Broadway, 1974. Photographer unknown.
Douglas Dunn’s class, 3rd floor, 541 Broadway, 2018. Photo by Boyd Hagan
Douglas Dunn’s class, 3rd floor, 541 Broadway, 2018. Photo by Boyd Hagan
Douglas Dunn reprising his 1973 solo Time Out in his studio, 3rd floor, 541 Broadway, April 2018. Photo by Paula Court
Douglas Dunn reprising his 1973 solo Time Out in his studio, 3rd floor, 541 Broadway, April 2018. Photo by Paula Court.
Douglas Dunn with members of Douglas Dunn + Dancers Alexandra Berger and Jake Szczypek rehearsing, third floor at 541 Broadway, 2016. Photo by Boyd Hagan
Douglas Dunn with members of Douglas Dunn + Dancers Alexandra Berger and Jake Szczypek rehearsing, third floor at 541 Broadway, 2016. Photo by Boyd Hagan

 

Fusako

Crosby Loft 1972
Fusako and Yukie, Crosby Street loft, 1972
Fusako and Yukie, Crosby Parking Lot, 1972
Fusako and Yukie, Crosby Street Parking Lot, 1972
 

 

Hana

My father (Tohru Nakamura) and me (Hana Nakamura) on Greene and Broome, in about 1983(?).
My father (Tohru Nakamura) and me (Hana Nakamura) on Greene and Broome, in about 1983(?).

 

Hirotsugu

Aoki 6th Avenue at West Houston Street, Soho/Hudson Square, New York ---our neighborhood firehouse, Engine 24 August 2016
6th Avenue at West Houston Street, Soho/Hudson Square, New York ---our neighborhood firehouse, Engine 24 August 2016
Aoki Crosby Street near Prince Street, Soho, New York ---the rear side of a Broadway building--- Feb 2017
Crosby Street near Prince Street, Soho, New York ---the rear side of a Broadway building--- Feb 2017
Aoki Greene Street near West Houston Street, Soho, New york ---another chocolate lab in the neighborhood---Darla--- June 2018
Greene Street near West Houston Street, Soho, New york ---another chocolate lab in the neighborhood---Darla--- June 2018
Aoki Greene Street, New York---been freezing for a long time feb 2016
Greene Street, New York---been freezing for a long time feb 2016
Aoki Greene Street, Soho, New York Aya and Ayame visiting from Japan august 2016
Aoki Greene Street, Soho, New York Aya and Ayame visiting from Japan august 2016
Crosby Hotel, November 2016
Crosby Hotel, November 2016
Aoki officers at 102 Greene door
Officers at 102 Greene door

 

Jessica

1986 Rooms 69 Wooster St
1986 Rooms 69 Wooster St
Jessica 1977 69 Wooster St
Jessica 1977 69 Wooster St
Jessica birthday 1976 69 Wooster
Jessica birthday 1976 69 Wooster
Jessica 1980 roof 69 Wooster St
Jessica 1980 roof 69 Wooster St

 

Joe

101 Spring Street ca. 1982
101 Spring Street ca. 1982
101 Spring Street ca. 1982
101 Spring Street ca. 1982

 

John

489 Broome Street
Bill Jensen (shows at Cheim & Read Gallery New York) on left and JDM on right in white bib overalls begin work of reinventing 5,550 sq. ft. loft space on the third floor of 489 Broome Street, New York NY. In 1972 we paid $550 per month rent. “Those were the days my friend we thought they would never end”

 

Micah

from left to right: my mother, Martha Moses, an unknown friend, my father smoking (as always) holding me outside their loft building, 16 Greene St., 1971.
from left to right: my mother, Martha Moses, an unknown friend, my father smoking (as always) holding me outside their loft building, 16 Greene St., 1971.
My mother, Martha Moses, pregnant with me and my father Gunther Moses in what was then their unfinished loft at 16 Greene St., 1971.
My mother, Martha Moses, pregnant with me and my father Gunther Moses in what was then their unfinished loft at 16 Greene St., 1971.
Loft parents showing off babies inside 16 Greene St., 1971.
Loft parents showing off babies inside 16 Greene St., 1971.
I do not wish to name names without permission but this is the brother of a famous actress at my birthday party at 16 Greene, 1978.
I do not wish to name names without permission but this is the brother of a famous actress at my birthday party at 16 Greene, 1978.
Martha Moses in her art studio, 16 Greene St., 197?
Martha Moses in her art studio, 16 Greene St., 197?
Unknown mother and child at what was then a playground outside NYU faculty housing, Houston St. btween Mercer and Greene, 197?
Unknown mother and child at what was then a playground outside NYU faculty housing, Houston St. btween Mercer and Greene, 197?
Me on Greene St., probably 1973 or 1974
Me on Greene St., probably 1973 or 1974

 

Mimi

SoHo Playgroup kids at Silver Towers playground, ca 1975
SoHo Playgroup kids at Silver Towers playground, ca 1975

 

Nancy 

Boys at Silver Towers playground, ca 1975
Boys at Silver Towers playground, ca 1975

 

Nava

Sledding in the parking lot, ca 1975
Sledding in the parking lot, ca 1975

 

Joe 

My Lispenard Street studio taken in 1975. It was the only time I was able to work on or view three large paintings at once....I miss that freedom.
My Lispenard Street studio taken in 1975. It was the only time I was able to work on or view three large paintings at once....I miss that freedom.

 

Rebecca

Wedding in loft - Rebecca Kelly & Craig Brashear Dec 1979
Wedding in loft - Rebecca Kelly & Craig Brashear Dec 1979
Wedding Waltz in Appleby Studio in SoHo Dec 1979 Rebecca Kelly and Craig Brashear
Wedding Waltz in Appleby Studio in SoHo Dec 1979 Rebecca Kelly and Craig Brashear

 

Rene & Joanne

Entrance of ground-floor loft as it was when we signed the lease in October 1976.  In its history there had been a printing company, a garment factory (we found lots of pins between the floor boards), and just before we moved in a firm where they made and refurbished Japanese cooking tops like those used in Benihana.
Entrance of ground-floor loft as it was when we signed the lease in October 1976.  In its history there had been a printing company, a garment factory (we found lots of pins between the floor boards), and just before we moved in a firm where they made and refurbished Japanese cooking tops like those used in Benihana.
Front of building with signs “High Crass Art” and "Minimal Art Sale."
Front of building with signs “High Crass Art” and "Minimal Art Sale." They irritated commercial gallery owners whose main stable of artists were minimalists, but got laughs from visitors.
Front of building with signs “High Crass Art” and "Minimal Art Sale."
Front of building with signs “High Crass Art” and "Minimal Art Sale." They irritated commercial gallery owners whose main stable of artists were minimalists, but got laughs from visitors.
Back of gallery where Rene would give art lectures to tour groups
Back of gallery where Rene would give art lectures to tour groups

 

Sean

Bowery Bum at Houston Lafayette Crosby Gaseteria 1970, photographer unknown
Bowery Bum at Houston Lafayette Crosby Gaseteria 1970, photographer unknown
99 Prince Street
99 Prince Street at Mercer, date unknown
Save the Performing Garage, Scholastic Auditorium, 2019
Save the Performing Garage, Scholastic Auditorium, 2019

 

Sharon

Greatest Cookies on Earth, Spring Street
Greatest Cookies on Earth, Spring Street
Greatest Cookies on Earth flyer
Greatest Cookies on Earth flyer

 

Susan F. 

Destruction of St Alphonsus Church, 1981
Destruction of St Alphonsus Church, 1981 Photo by Margi Kramer
Tearing Down St. Alphonsus Church & Rectory 1981 photo by Margia Kramer
Tearing Down St. Alphonsus Church & Rectory 1981 photo by Margia Kramer

 

Susan W.

Snow in SoHo
Snow in SoHo
SoHo Buildings
SoHo Buildings

 

Thornton

Mercer Street Views
Mercer Street Views 1, Photographs by Thornton Willis from “Thornton Willis Soho Project, 1973-6,” funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. thorntonwillis.com
Mercer Street Views
Mercer Street Views 2, Photographs by Thornton Willis from “Thornton Willis Soho Project, 1973-6,” funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. thorntonwillis.com
Mercer Street Views
Mercer Street Views 3, Photographs by Thornton Willis from “Thornton Willis Soho Project, 1973-6,” funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. thorntonwillis.com
Mercer Street Views
Mercer Street Views 4, Photographs by Thornton Willis from “Thornton Willis Soho Project, 1973-6,” funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. thorntonwillis.com
Mercer Street Views
Mercer Street Views 5, Photographs by Thornton Willis from “Thornton Willis Soho Project, 1973-6,” funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. thorntonwillis.com

Alan

SoHo Street Art, Thompson between Spring and Broome, 2020
SoHo Street Art,  Thompson between Spring and Broome, 2020
SoHo Street Art, Thompson between Spring and Broome, 2020
SoHo Street Art,  Thompson between Spring and Broome, 2020

 

Anna

This is my father, George Kokines, painting in his loft on Greene Street, between Prince and Broome West side of street)) probably somewhere 1971-3-ish.  Of course he lived there, too.  He built a loft bedroom on a platform with stairs up to it, a kitchen, and  a bathroom, and painted the floors.
This is my father, George Kokines, painting in his loft on Greene Street, between Prince and Broome West side of street)) probably somewhere 1971-3-ish.  Of course he lived there, too.  He built a loft bedroom on a platform with stairs up to it, a kitchen, and  a bathroom, and painted the floors.
George Kokines, working as a bartender at Fanelli’s (looks like; he also tended bar at the Broome Street Bar).  I’d say this was early 80s).
George Kokines, working as a bartender at Fanelli’s (looks like; he also tended bar at the Broome Street Bar).  I’d say this was early 80s).
Anna Miller photo
My mom and dad - Rosemary and George Kokines - in our ‘railroad’ apartment at 109 Thompson, third floor.  Bathtub on tall legs in the kitchen and a pull chain toilet in a closet off the living room. c. 1969 My dad stripped the wall to expose the brick, which was heaven for cockroaches on the run.  The fireplace worked.  
Me - Anna Kokines - in the kitchen on Thompson. We had an Eero Saarinen table, Thonet chairs, but no money c. 1970
Me - Anna Kokines - in the kitchen on Thompson.  We had an Eero Saarinen table, Thonet chairs, but no money c. 1970

 

Truffles

Truffles in NYC
Truffles on SoHo
Truffles at Balthazar
Truffles in front of Balthazar with the boarded up MOMA Store in the window reflection. April 2020

Vivian

Vivian Ricupero, 90 Prince Street, 1973
My Shower in my loft in 1973. Found it on the street (there were great finds on the street). I built the stand and put plumbing in myself. Had to put it in the kitchen area since my toilet closet was way down the hall and out side of the living area. Got Refrigerator for $10.

 

Vivian Ricupero 90 Prince Street
Iron and oak Cart: Another great find on the street! Came in very handy to move supplies around. Eventually ended up in my mom’s basement.
Bed/sofa. 1973. If you’re wondering, that’s a telephone I’m holding.
Bed/sofa. 1973. If you’re wondering, that’s a telephone I’m holding.
1974. Photo from Village Voice article featuring the Replicas of NYC Park Benches that I was building.

1974. Photo from Village Voice article featuring the Replicas of NYC Park Benches that I was building.
Post card announcement of an Exhibition I had in my loft space
Post card announcement of an Exhibition I had in my loft space

 

Wayne

Wally's Ice Cream at 156 Spring Street 1981
Wally's Ice Cream at 156 Spring Street 1981
Card for Wally's Ice Cream at 156 Spring Street
Card for Wally's Ice Cream at 156 Spring Street

 

Yoshie

Ann's Garden, Vandam Street, ca 1975
Ann's Garden, Vandam Street, ca 1975
Cynthia, SoHo Playgroup Teacher, ca 1973
Cynthia, SoHo Playgroup Teacher, ca 1975
Party, Charlton Street, ca 1975
Party, Charlton Street, ca 1975
Barbecue, Vandam Street, ca 1974
Barbecue, Vandam Street, ca 1974
Making a Window, Charlton Street, ca 1975
Making a Window, Charlton Street, ca 1975
Noah's Loft, Wooster Street, ca. 1974
Noah's Loft, Wooster Street, ca. 1974

 

Jody

Saturday shopping excursion. Silver Towers. Autumn 1986 or 1987
Saturday shopping excursion. Silver Towers. Autumn 1986 or 1987

 

by Yukie Ohta
May 08 2020
Tags
architecture
childhood
dance
family
loft living
photography
streetscapes
Related places
Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori
Douglas Dunn + Dancers
Fanelli Cafe
Judd Foundation
Performing Garage
Silver Towers
Related people
John David Murray
Peter Bardazzi
Alex Smith
Barney Yee
Douglas Dunn
Fusako Ohta
Hirotsugu Aoki
Micah Moses
Nancy Eder
Nava Lubelski
Rebecca Kelly
Richard Parker
Sean Sweeney
Sharon Watts
Susan Fortgang
Susan Wittenberg
Thornton Willis
Vivian Ricupero
Yoshie Mori