1999
Looking Back, Seeing the Future
So much was going on in 1999. Fears about Y2K were either about to be realized—or not. Unarmed Amadou Diallo was gunned down by NYPD. The Matrix, and Star Wars Episode One were released in theaters. The six billionth human on Earth was born. The country of Turkey was struck by two major earthquakes (August & November). Both an earthquake and tsunami struck Vanuatu (SW Pacific Ocean). Microsoft’s Windows 98 was introduced. Apple’s G4 Mac was introduced. America Online (AOL) was on its way to being the largest internet service provider.
An East River view from atop the South Tower of the Twin Towers. The Downtown Brooklyn skyline in the center to be drastically changed as a result of 2004’s rezoning of the neighborhood.
The opposite view looking back into Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights’ Promenade. Thick fog obscures the view of the Twin Towers. In the foreground is Pier 2 of the future Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Billboard advertisement on the facade of the Majestic Theater in the theater district just after sunrise shows Fosse won the Tony Award for best musical of 1999. Phantom of the Opera had been playing at The Majestic since 1988.
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Before the Disney-fication of Times Square. Photo-left) Toys-R-Us would occupy this corner spot after renovation. After that, Gap, Old Navy and McDonald’s are the tenants on this side of the block. Photo-right) The first TKTS booth on 47th Street. Kodak’s backlit billboard on the front of the Marriott Marquis Hotel. See current street-views —> Photo left or Photo right
Interior design of the Museum of Modern Art before the 2004 renovation and expansion (and a 2019 renovation and expansion).
The Apollo Theater, a New York City Landmark with minor upkeeps since opening. Twenty years before their major renovation and expansion of the 2020s. See the current street-view —> here
After the 9/11 attacks on the nearby World Trade Center. Followed by Super Storm Sandy’s catastrophic effects of 2012, the old Pier 17 Mall was razed. Replaced by a new Pier 17, see street-view —> here
Although most buildings in the above photograph haven’t changed much, many facades and tenants have. Newsstands are now uniform in design throughout the city. Many (if not most) no longer sell magazines or newspapers. Paying attention to the building on the right with yellow/green billboard atop, renovated including new digital billboard and subway entrances. The current tenant is Forever21/Riley Rose. See the current street-view —> here.
The amount of change that’s happened through the years show that time stops for nothing—and no one. The city morphs and changes. You may not have been to any of these spots. You can surely see they don’t look the same anymore.
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I always appreciate your attention in reading it through.
Til next time…
Kenneth
Wonderful piece Kenneth and photos. It's incredible how much change happens in Cities - particularly noticeable when you revisit places.