Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

181 Mercer St., located between Bleecker and West Houston Streets, is NYU's new multi-use building. The building is expected to open in fall 2022. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Controversial 181 Mercer building now slated for fall 2022 opening

NYU’s flagship development, featuring classrooms, athletic facilities, housing and a theater, is the centerpiece of an ambitious expansion plan that has met persistent opposition in the 14 years since it was proposed.
Aneesh Kumar, Staff Writer September 24, 2021

NYU’s flagship development at 181 Mercer St. is approaching completion after over five years of construction. Installation of the glass-paneled exterior is expected to be completed...

NYU continues construction on 181 Mercer Street in SoHo gentrifying the area. Mayor DeBlasio’s plan for affordable housing in the area does not serve the public interest of the surrounding area. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: De Blasio’s rezoning plan is gentrification in the making

Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to increase access to affordable housing for SoHo, NoHo and Chinatown residents with a controversial upzoning plan. The plan, however, will likely instead increase gentrification in NYU’s backyard and reduce net affordable housing. The City Planning Commision should reject it outright.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor September 1, 2021

Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office introduced a rezoning plan targeting much of SoHo, NoHo and parts of Chinatown. The city has emphasized the plan’s potential to create...

181 Mercer under construction in Lower Manhattan. Manhattan's Community Board rejected a proposed rezoning plan that critics argued allow for further expansion of NYU. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Manhattan Community Board rejects controversial rezoning plan that critics say encourages further NYU expansion

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration says it is aiming to create affordable housing by rezoning parts of SoHo, NoHo and Chinatown. Critics say the proposed plan would do the opposite: encourage high-end retail and NYU expansion.
Aneesh Kumar, Staff Writer August 16, 2021

In a 37-1 vote, Manhattan’s Community Board 2 passed an 11-page resolution rejecting the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan presented by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Department of City...

The Museum of Ice Cream is a popular location displayed on social media. It is one of many Instagram-worthy museums in NYC that WSN’s Culture desk thinks will help improve your feed. (Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Museums Worth the Money For A Stellar Instagram Post

Discover these five interactive museums around NYC to help you get more attention on Instagram.
Daniela Ortiz, Staff Writer February 11, 2020

What would you do for the perfect Instagram post? Or more specifically, how much would you pay for it? There are many affordable places around the city that can look great on your...

Sloomoo is an interactive pop-up exhibit in Soho that is all about slime. (Staff Photo by Bella Gil)

Explore NYC’s Newest Slime Pop-Up

All you need to know about Sloomoo Institute, Soho’s interactive slime experience.
Bella Gil, Culture Editor February 3, 2020

It’s squishy, it’s sticky, it ... smells like pumpkin pie — or wait, is that Christmas Tree? No … definitely Fruit Loops. Actually, it’s slime. Yes, slime, the stuff...

A dirty slice of life seen from the Route B NYU shuttle in downtown Manhattan.

Next Bus Stop, NYC

A candid exploration into the public transportation of buses in New York City.
Emma Li, UTA Exposures Staff Photographer October 6, 2019

Riding the bus is a scenic public transport alternative. The window panes serve as picture frames, capturing picture-perfect street scenes that aren’t available to the underground...

The Tang Hot Pot's lunch special. The restaurant is located on 135 Bowery and specializes in SiChuan hotpot. (Staff photo by Min Ji Kim)

Immerse Yourself in a Bevy of Boiling Broths at Tang Hotpot

Stir, simmer and boil your own broth at Tang Hotpot where the lunch special makes your mouth water and wallet breathe easy.
Arin Garland, Dining Editor April 22, 2019

Decorated with delicately rolled raw meats, bright leafy vegetables and freshly chopped onions and mushrooms, our table looked like a neatly curated selection of ingredients taken...

Located at 11 Bond St., Coffee ‘n Clothes is a fashion-inspired cafe that started as a trending hashtag and grew into its own brand, part of a new trend of blending offline and online experiences. (Photo by Hanna McNeila)

Coffee ‘n Clothes: Instagram Delight, Practical Disaster

Originally just an online trend, this brick-and-mortar cafe blends coffee and clout.
Hanna McNeila, Staff Writer April 7, 2019

Amid the influx of SoHo’s designer streetwear shops, Coffee ‘n Clothes’ on 11 Bond St. combines luxury fashion with New Yorkers’ favorite caffeinated beverage. Decor and...

Caitlin Gallogly and Christopher M. Smith in the new drama written and directed by Tony award winner Kathleen J. Johnson. Despite its potential for self-indulgence, “Fiercely Independent” soars with the help of witty dialogue and compassionate performances. (Courtesy of Carol Rosegg)

‘Fiercely Independent’ Successfully Tackles Marital Ennui

This one-act play by playwright and director Kathleen K. Johnson explores the ways in which relationships cement themselves in physical space.
Julie Goldberg, Staff Writer March 8, 2019

Hotel rooms seem out of touch with reality; unhitched from the particularities of home and insulated from the rest of the world, they occupy some other plane of existence. It is...

Chanel Atelier, a new beauty store in Soho, Jan. 25, New York City (Staff Photo by Alina Patrick).

Chanel Opens the Ultimate Chic Beauty Destination

The chic beauty workshop that we’ve all been waiting for comes courtesy of Chanel’s newest project.
Carol Lee, Beauty & Style Editor January 28, 2019

Nestled in the depths of SoHo on 120.5 Wooster St., the brand new Atelier Beauté Chanel opened at exactly 12 p.m. on Jan. 25 to little fanfare. The opening hadn’t been aggressively...

Choose Love is a store where people can buy gifts for refugees across the world. (Photo by Hanna McNeila)

Students Rally For Refugees At SoHo Pop-Up

Hanna McNeila, Staff Writer November 30, 2018
While the rest of SoHo is focused on holiday shopping, this pop-up is looking to spread a little love to refugees.
A new Amazon retail store opened in SoHo.

A Shopping Experience Straight From the Future

Melvis Acosta, Contributing Writer October 4, 2018
Have you heard about the new Amazon 4-star store in SoHo? Read to learn more about it.