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Cities are constantly going through changes driven by social and technological advancements. Chances are, the place that you grew up in is entirely different now than it was before. This is just a simple consequence of human progress. However, how certain locations looked in the past can quickly fade from our memory, losing their history along with it. Luckily, photography lets us preserve such moments, assuming that there’s a person dedicated enough to capture the nooks and crannies of the city. 

That’s exactly what Grégoire Alessandrini did, immortalizing New York of the 1990s in his vintage photo archive. It’s full of street scenes, landmarks, and iconic locations that have been majorly transformed since. Scroll down to set out on a nostalgic walk through New York City, and don’t forget to share any memories you have of NYC in the 90s. We are more than excited to hear them!

While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with the photographer Grégoire Alessandrini himself and city photographer Natallia, who currently resides in Vilnius, Lithuania. 

#1

After The Snow Storm - 6th Avenue 1996

After The Snow Storm - 6th Avenue 1996

newyork1990s Report

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TTorrest Author
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First week of January 1996. About 3 feet of snow but crazy high snow drifts. The whole tri-state area was shut down for days. (New Jersey, USA)

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    #3

    Sidewalks Of NYC, St. Marks Place 1993

    Sidewalks Of NYC, St. Marks Place 1993

    newyork1990s Report

    “I came to NYC in 1990 from Paris as a film student, and I instantly fell in love with Manhattan. I felt like I was stepping on a giant film set. It was everything that I had imagined but bigger, louder, crazier, and sometimes scarier,” tells photographer Grégoire Alessandrini about starting his New York in the 1990s archive.

    “As a film student at City College in Harlem, I quickly started discovering all kinds of neighborhoods to shoot student films, but buying a photo camera suddenly gave me an incredible feeling of freedom. I was able to explore the city by myself, “recording” everything that seemed to give New York City its incredible edge. Old buildings, graffiti, signs, street scenes, and parties,” he said to Bored Panda

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    At the time, he also started working as a journalist for a French magazine, which further allowed him to capture the era of this city.

    #4

    Flea Market 6th Avenue 1997

    Flea Market 6th Avenue 1997

    newyork1990s Report

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    ADJ
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I assume the fleas come from the nice sleeping doggo? ;)

    #5

    East Village 1995

    East Village 1995

    newyork1990s Report

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    #6

    Soho (Greene Street) 1992

    Soho (Greene Street) 1992

    newyork1990s Report

    Alessandrini tells us that New York was very different back then, and he’s glad to see how it changed in a fairly short amount of time. “The city was close to bankruptcy, mugging was a common occurrence, the crack epidemic was at its peak, and homeless people were living in the subway and the parks. Yet, you felt an extraordinary energy and the possibility to experience anything you wanted,” he says.

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    #7

    Chelsea Hotel 1997

    Chelsea Hotel 1997

    newyork1990s Report

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    Richard Campbell
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    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel. That's all. I don't even think of you that often."

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    #8

    “Newsstand”1994

    “Newsstand”1994

    newyork1990s Report

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    sbj
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really miss News stands, they used to be a routine trip for me on my way to work and I feel at a loss not having a paper to read during my breaks at work

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    #9

    Knitting Factory On Houston Street - 1991

    Knitting Factory On Houston Street - 1991

    newyork1990s Report

    Rent in the East Village, the Lower East Side, or Chelsea areas was still relatively affordable, and nightlife was thriving. “It also felt like the end of a period with an amazing heritage still visible here and there, from Keith Haring murals to landmark rock venues like the Continental or the iconic CBGB’s. Believe it or not, my neighbors in Alphabet City in 1992 were Allen Ginsberg and Richard Hell,” shares Alessandrini.

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    #10

    Snow Days In The East Village - Winter 1996

    Snow Days In The East Village - Winter 1996

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    #11

    Village Cigars 1990s

    Village Cigars 1990s

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    #12

    Sidewalks Of NYC. Diamond District, 1991

    Sidewalks Of NYC. Diamond District, 1991

    newyork1990s Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can smell the somewhat burned pretzels as I burrow deeper into my leather jacket

    The city started getting cleaned up with the election of mayor Rudy Giuliani in the mid-90s, he says. “Especially the 42nd Street area, which went from a very seedy location made famous by films like Taxi Driver or Midnight Cowboy to “a family entertainment district." I guess Mayor Bloomberg then finished the job to make New York safe and cleaner, but it seems that so much was lost in the process.”

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    #13

    The Bowery 1995

    The Bowery 1995

    newyork1990s Report

    #14

    The Fat Black Cat West Village 1995

    The Fat Black Cat West Village 1995

    newyork1990s Report

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    Falafal salad
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    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The two letters after the word ‘black’ look like PO. Are we sure it’s ’cat ’?

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    #15

    Unique On Broadway 1993

    Unique On Broadway 1993

    newyork1990s Report

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    Having completed such a project, he realized just what a transformation the city has gone through. “Entire blocks were destroyed, the architecture was changing as well as the sociology of entire neighborhoods. The city that I had loved, experienced, and photographed seemed to be fading away at an amazing pace.

    This is what made me want to share my pictures, as I believe they tell the story of a city that is now almost gone. I am very happy to see that so many New Yorkers and people from all around the world enjoy these images as they remind them of the New York they knew and often miss dearly.”

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    #16

    Meat Packing District Early 1990’s

    Meat Packing District Early 1990’s

    newyork1990s Report

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    #17

    5th Avenue 1991

    5th Avenue 1991

    newyork1990s Report

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    #18

    Itzkowitz Ludlow Street 1994

    Itzkowitz Ludlow Street 1994

    newyork1990s Report

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    Alessandrini believes that creating photo archives of cities like New York and beyond in a specific period becomes a priceless testimony. “The most trivial things that you photograph can sometimes have significance that you would have never imagined at the time. It’s a precious gift for those who share this experience with you but also for those who want to understand how a city used to be and how it became what it is today.”

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    #19

    NYC Diners Early 1990s

    NYC Diners Early 1990s

    newyork1990s Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the great greasy spoons of NYC - closed in 2002: https://evgrieve.com/2009/02/remembering-jones-diner.html

    #20

    Russian And Turkish Baths East Village 1997

    Russian And Turkish Baths East Village 1997

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    #21

    Chelsea 1995

    Chelsea 1995

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    City photographer Natallia also agrees, saying, “It preserves the history of the city in the moment. I believe that over time, such digital photo archives will have a unique historical memory, allowing future generations of residents to understand the city and its atmosphere more deeply.”

    #22

    Great Jones Alley (And Cortlandt Alley) Mid-90’s

    Great Jones Alley (And Cortlandt Alley) Mid-90’s

    newyork1990s Report

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    She started sharing photos of cities out of her love for urban architecture and beautiful old cities. Since she currently lives in Vilnius (Bored Panda’s home city!) she decided to share her surroundings with others, given that she already had so many photos. 

    #25

    Sidewalks Of NYC. Upper East Side

    Sidewalks Of NYC. Upper East Side

    newyork1990s Report

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    #26

    Peep Land And Show World (Mid-90s)

    Peep Land And Show World (Mid-90s)

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    Jay
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know Times Square extremely well. I've been to these lol Giggitty

    #27

    Chelsea (22nd And 7th Ave. ) 1997

    Chelsea (22nd And 7th Ave. ) 1997

    newyork1990s Report

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    She would describe Vilnius, which is very different from NYC, as friendly. “I like the proportion of the city to the person (you don’t have to spend a lot of time on public transport to get to work or just take a walk in the center; there are no super tall residential buildings or extremely dense urban developments where you feel uncomfortable) and its safety. 

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    It’s always interesting to walk through the labyrinths of old streets, discovering something new each time: whether it’s a cozy courtyard, an unusual sculpture, or a beautiful view of the orange rooftops. Vilnius hasn’t frozen in time; it is constantly changing, becoming more comfortable and modern, but at the same time, it retains the spirit of the majestic Old Town. And that’s really great,” she fondly shared. 

    #28

    Times Square 1994

    Times Square 1994

    newyork1990s Report

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    Jay
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im from The Bronx. Im extremely familiar with Times Square. This was the time of hookers everywhere, (sexy, except the tran-ies, but back then, they were called trans-vestites) Robbers, (scary) Peep shows, (was too young to endeavor lol) Arcades (So much fun). This was when everything was organic, and it didn't feel so modern, and commercialized, as it is today. When, you actually had fun during New Year's Eve, during the ball drop, not this modern version, where everyone is in NYPD cages like cattle. Smh It was just so much different.

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    #29

    6th Avenue Flea Market Mid-90’s

    6th Avenue Flea Market Mid-90’s

    newyork1990s Report

    #30

    Meat Packing District 1994

    Meat Packing District 1994

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    kunal saroj
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    1 month ago

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