East 45th Street then and now

One hundred years ago today … this photograph of East 45th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues was taken as part of an ongoing photography project by the Manhattan Borough President’s office.

Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. "Manhattan: 45th Street (East) - Broadway" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1921. — Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. "Manhattan: 45th Street (East) - Broadway" *The New York Public Library Digital Collections*. 1921.

The NYPL’s card indicates the date: April 20, 1921, and an address: 216 East 45th Street, which should be the address of a building on the south side of 45th Street, across the street from the buildings above, which are on the north side. The perspective is easterly, with the 2nd Avenue elevated train tracks visible at the end of the block. This appears to be a residential block.

Here’s what the block looks like today:

Completely transformed: office buildings instead of brownstones, and actually a bit greener. The Second Avenue El was torn down in 1942.

Sometimes it’s worth just taking a look at a street then and now.

– Jonathan Goldman, April 20, 2021

TAGS: midtown, photography, transportation, business, offices, trees