In 2008, the city began implementing new zoning for the Lower East Side in response to some community concerns that the neighborhood's character was being changed by new, tall buildings.

The Ludlow at 188 Ludlow Street, was erected in 2008 and was one of the tallest in the area, not far from others that had previously been erected on Rivington and Norfolk Streets and the Bowery as well as East Houston Street. The Ludlow is also known as 215 East Houston Street and 167 Essex Street.

The bluish-brick building has a five-story base and was designed by Costas Kondylis for Edison Properties as its first residential project in the city. Edison has been a major operator of parking facilities in the city.

The building has a 24-hour doorman, a landscaped roof terrace, a residents' lounge, a fitness center and valet service.

Apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows, oak plank flooring, and stainless steel kitchen appliances. Some units have a washer and a dryer.

This location is convenient to the East Village, NoHo and SoHo and since the Millennium it has witnessed a flurry of new boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.

The building's corners protrude creating many corner windows.

While this was being completed, a 18-story hotel began construction nearby.

The building is cited above a subway tunnel that runs diagonally beneath it.