SoHo (South-of- Houston) extends from West Houston to Canal Streets, between Sixth Avenue and the Bowery. Artists began to move into this formerly drab manufacturing area in the early 1970s, taking over abandoned lofts and buildings and turning them into homes and galleries. SoHo has since transformed into a beautiful and trendy neighborhood. Once home to a few cutting edge shops, huge artists’ lofts and low-key bars, SoHo now rivals Madison Avenue as an upscale residential and retail neighborhood. Surrounded by 19th century cast iron architecture, the entire neighborhood is the city’s only landmarked district and is famous for its shops, galleries and some of the city’s best restaurants, including Alison on Dominick Street and Blue Ribbon on Sullivan Street.