311 W Broadway

SoHo Mews

SoHo Mews may have been constructed in 2009, but the architecture fully reflects its location in SoHo’s Cast Iron Historic District. This section comprises about 500 buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, when elaborate cast iron distinguished many of the exteriors. Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects factored this into the design of SoHo Mews, consisting of two separate nine-story buildings on West Broadway and Wooster Street connected by a courtyard. The firm noted that it chose a glass-and-metal exterior for a few reasons: these materials are also prevalent in the historic district; using three different types of glass conveys a sense of layering and depth; and it allows the structure to blend into the block, even if the cast iron aspect is missing. Despite this, the design passed muster with The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, who applauded its “elegant interpretation of the SoHo aesthetic.” The overall design also passed muster with former celebrity tenants, from famed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta to multi-hyphenate Justin Timberlake and wife, actress Jessica Biel, who sold their penthouse for about $6 million in 2018. Spacious layouts encompass 68 townhomes, lofts and penthouses, while Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman also tackled interiors. The firm outfitted kitchens with Valucine cabinets, black granite counters and backsplashes, Kohler fixtures and appliances from Miele and Sub-Zero. Bathrooms are equally luxe with heated white marble floors, white marble walls, Lefroy Brooks fixtures, steam showers and soaking tubs. Just as the facade channels the SoHo of yore, so do the wide oak plank floors, which complement the oak finishes found in the kitchen and bathrooms, along with the 10-foot ceilings and soaring windows overlooking historic structures. Custom millwork and Bosch washers and dryers are also standard; some units include private entrances, outdoor space and/or fireplaces. Entry-level two-bedrooms starting at 1,200 square feet list for about $2.5 million. At the other end, a recent five-bedroom sale covering 3,900 square feet went for $7.6 million. This full-service boutique condo welcomes residents into a lobby of warm wood and contemporary art, which leads to the connecting glass atrium and 4,000-square-foot courtyard, or mews, designed by landscape architect Peter Walker. Those needing more privacy can duck in or out through the less obvious Wooster Street entrance, or via the underground garage. (It’s worth mentioning that the Wooster side is located on a quieter, cobblestoned, one-way street, while the lobby is off far busier West Broadway.) The roomy fitness center rounds out the amenities and is brightened by skylights and offers a good mix of cardio and weights. SoHo Mews is at the epicenter of trendy SoHo, a former artist enclave now offering an abundance of high-end designer stores, luxury services, restaurants with hard-to-score reservations, swanky bars, members-only clubs and art galleries catering to the well-heeled. But residents don’t even have to venture far to enjoy the vibrancy, with celeb-fave Mamo, known for its classic Italian in a mood-lit setting, on the same block. IGK is also on this West Broadway block, a beloved hair salon for the latest cut and color styles, joined by a Japanese pancake spot, a designer men’s jewelry boutique and even a popular no-kill animal rescue that welcomes volunteers. SoHo Grand is just across the street for drinks in a stylish ambiance surrounded by an even more stylish crowd, while it only takes 10 minutes to walk over to iconic Balthazar for French bistro fare and the scene or Le Coucou for higher-end, Michelin-starred French food in romantic surroundings. Aire Ancient Baths in nearby Tribeca is another local favorite, where celebrities are sometimes spotted enjoying the hot and cold pool circuit at this original location. The A, C, E lines at Canal Street are conveniently located around the block, with the local 1 train one block further. Since Canal Street is a major transfer hub, it also connects underground, albeit with some confusion, to the N, Q, R, W, J, Z and 6 trains. For drivers, the Holland Tunnel is close for heading out to New Jersey and beyond.