Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Before/After Photos Show How City Has Changed Since 1980s

By

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 25, 2012

Modified Jul 25, 2012

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

East 126th Street - Before & After

 

Gothamist

View all 11

By

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 25, 2012

Modified Jul 25, 2012

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Photographer Larry Racioppo recently archived some visual gems on his new website, including these that show the before and after shots of certain intersections and building in New York City. In the 1980s, Racioppo's job involved taking photos of the city in shambles, and we'll be learning more about what he saw in a future interview. Until then, click through for a glimpse at the then and the now.

Tagged

Larry Racioppo

original

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE arts-entertainment

In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay

Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET

A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Arts & Entertainment

A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.

By

Hannah Frishberg

A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history

By

Sonia Rao

The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.

By

Sonia Rao

Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.

By

Sonia Rao

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .