Broome St, SoHo

Broome doesn't really have the cache that other Soho streets like Prince and Spring have, but the good news on that one is that aren't as many people on Broome. The bad news is that there isn't much to see or do on Broome either.
There are a few townhouses on Broome between Thompson and West Broadway but townhouses are pretty hard to come by in Soho, in general. This block is pretty much just a few apartment buildings, an empandada joint and an Indian restaurant . . all of which aren't noteworthy. There are some really cool buildings across West Broadway, but they're cool in the looks like a place where destitute people used to live but now very expensive way. The building on the corner used to be a pepper factory (of all things) and a former warehouse lies on the opposite side of the block. The colors of the buildings are cool and you can tell that they are quite old. But, they're very industrial in a way that I think lacks any sort of charm or cool. Old cast iron buildings with apartments above store fronts is pretty much how Broome rolls through Soho and the next block is no different. Shopping-wise, things don't get interesting, however, until around Mercer. Kate Spade, Mango and Patina are all around Mercer as is a Gourmet Garage (which is an awesome market) and Catherine Malandrino. If you're into architecture but not shopping, as I am, the building that holds Mango is really gorgeous. Some cast iron buildings can look like slums but this one is just breath taking.
Speaking of lovely architecture. Broome at Broadway has a series of magical buildings. The Haughwout Building on the northwest corner is really special and it's a shame that a real estate brokerage is in it. You can't miss the thing, it's so mesmerizing. Across Broome from that building is another gorgeous former bank built in the 19th century that now houses Madewell.
Soho is known for shopping and Euros but Broome doesn't have quite the dosage of those to be a hardcore Soho street. The buildings are cool but the area is so busy and filled with tourists that I wouldn't want to live on Broome. And, it's a really expensive street with no real neighborhood feel.