A Tourist’s Photos of New York City in 1982/1983 Show How Much The City Has Transformed

Chelsea Hotel, New York (1983)

UK photographer Paul Wright posted a fascinating set of photos that he shot during a trip to New York City in 1982/1983. There are some familiar sites in the faded photos, but on a whole, the pictures showcase a metropolis utterly transformed over the past 30-plus years.

I first visited Manhattan in 1982 when parts of the city looked semi-derelict. It was edgy and sometimes dangerous, but the city also had a character that has been buried by property developers and chain stores.

Greenwich Village, New York City (1983)
Dog on a fire hydrant, New York City (1982)
Ayatollah Khomeini protest, New York City (1983)
Taxi Driver, New York City (1982)

photos by Paul Wright

via Gothamist

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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