Cast Iron Architecture

Cast Iron Facades, SoHo, New York, 2019

By Daniel Fischermann

Cast-iron architecture is a style where cast iron is used as a major component of either the structure or the facade of buildings or other structures such as lamps, gates, cranes, and bridges. 

Cast-iron architecture is barely an actual style and some might say that cast-iron architecture is not a style at all but just a way of using the technology. Cast iron usage made it possible to create an architectural expression that was not possible before. Windows could fill much more of the façade, and buildings could have a lighter and more elegant expression as cast iron made the buildings stronger. It has been used in buildings and other structures as part of the decoration, ornamentation, as entire facades and as bearing elements during the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The usage of cast iron was replaced by steel during the beginning of the 20th century, and so the golden age of cast iron architecture was very brief.

SoHo Cast Iron District

SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The area today is known for being home to many artists' lofts and art galleries. At the same time the area became more expensive, shops ranging from trendy upscale boutiques to national and international chain stores moved in.

SoHo was an industrialized area from the end of the 19th century. The name "SoHo" refers to the area being located South of Houston street. The name was coined in 1962 by Chester Rapkin. Soho is known for its many cast-iron buildings located in the SoHo Cast-Iron Historic District. With approximately 250 cast-iron buildings, the area has the greatest number of cast-iron buildings of any district in the world. During the golden age of cast iron, many thought it to be structurally more sound than steel and fire-resistant.

However, this was not the case. If cast iron is exposed to heat from a fire it will buckle and it will crack under the cold water applied for extinguishing the fire.A large section of SoHo is a historic district. This means it is a designated area according to the Landmark Preservation Commission and building are being preserved. The district got its status in 1973, and the status was extended in 2010.