After the end of World War II in 1945, SoFo was a vastly different place from the trendy district it is today. The area had a strong working-class identity, characterized by industry, small-scale craftsmanship, and low-status housing. Working-class families lived in small apartments without modern amenities. Overcrowding was common, with dilapidated buildings featuring wood stoves and shared toilets in hallways or courtyards. Despite the challenges, the social fabric was strong; neighbors knew and supported each other in their daily lives. Folkungagatan and Nytorget served as hubs for local businesses, including bakeries, small shops, and neighborhood taverns. In the 1960s, much of Södermalm, including SoFo, was targeted by urban planners eager to modernize. Plans aligned with Sweden's "Million Program" (miljonprogrammet) sought to demolish old buildings and construct new ones. Many older properties faced demolition, but protests from residents and cultural advocates halted the most radical changes. During this period, the area's industrial character began to fade. Workshops and small industries gave way to offices and service-oriented businesses. Those who could afford to moved to newly built suburbs, while low-income residents and cultural workers remained. By the 1970s, SoFo became increasingly attractive to young artists, writers, photographers, and musicians. With low rents and a bohemian atmosphere, a creative transformation took shape. The neighborhood, with its small apartments and rundown streets, drew a new generation with limited financial means but a desire for cultural expression. During this time, Södermalm – and especially SoFo – became associated with alternative lifestyles. Residents resisted gentrification and demolition projects. Nytorget evolved into a meeting place for local artists and residents, hosting markets and cultural events that laid the groundwork for the area’s future identity as a creative hub. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, SoFo began to attract a more diverse population, including young families and entrepreneurs who saw potential in the older buildings. Renovations of properties started, though the area still retained a gritty, working-class feel for years to come. Nytorget and its surroundings were far from the exclusive enclave known today, but the foundation for SoFo’s current identity was set. In the 1990s, SoFo was still relatively unknown outside Stockholm, but its appeal to young creatives grew. Vintage stores, small cafés, and alternative galleries began to appear, often in spaces previously used for other purposes. Nytorget became the heart of the neighborhood’s life, albeit on a simpler scale than today. A sense of community and experimental culture emerged. It was during this period that the name "SoFo" was coined, inspired by New York’s SoHo, and adopted by local businesses to market the area’s creative and alternative vibe. After the millennium, the neighborhood underwent a significant transformation. The bohemian and alternative SoFo began attracting wealthier residents. Property prices soared, and trendy boutique stores, cafés, and restaurants replaced older establishments. The culinary scene boomed, with places like Urban Deli at Nytorget setting the tone for an urban dining experience. SoFo also became a hub for Stockholm’s fashion and design culture, with local brands and shops contributing to the area's reputation as a hotspot for creative, style-conscious people. By around 2010, SoFo had become a recognized brand, not only in Stockholm but also internationally. No longer a hidden gem, the district attracted tourists and newcomers from around the world. Nytorget became the epicenter of SoFo, surrounded by expensive cafés, designer stores, and interior shops. Property prices reached new heights, making it difficult for low-income residents and small businesses to stay. Many older residents moved out, and the neighborhood became increasingly homogenous and affluent. The original bohemian and alternative spirit gradually gave way to a more exclusive and commercially driven atmosphere. However, traces of its history remained in the form of neighborhood pubs, independent stores, and innovative cultural initiatives.