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Fifth Avenue Then and Now: How New York’s Most Famous Street Transformed Over a Century

Fifth Avenue stretches from Washington Square Park to Harlem. It cuts through the center of Manhattan and divides the city into east and west. Over the past century, the avenue has changed in scale, purpose, and design.

In the late 1800s, parts of Fifth Avenue were lined with private mansions. Wealthy families built large homes facing Central Park. Stone facades, iron gates, and private gardens filled blocks that now hold commercial buildings. Carriages moved along wide streets with little traffic.

By the early 1900s, land values increased sharply. Maintaining large private homes became costly. Many families sold their properties. Developers replaced mansions with luxury apartment buildings and grand hotels. The shift marked the end of Fifth Avenue as a residential boulevard for single families.

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Commercial growth followed. Department stores and specialty shops opened along Midtown. Retail spaces expanded, and storefront windows grew larger. Buildings rose higher as steel-frame construction allowed for taller structures.

Landmarks began to define the avenue’s identity. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, completed in 1878, stood out against the skyline. Decades later, Rockefeller Center brought Art Deco towers and plazas to the area. These sites drew visitors and shaped the character of Midtown.

Traffic patterns changed as automobiles replaced horses. By the mid-20th century, Fifth Avenue was filled with cars, buses, and delivery trucks. Traffic lights and crosswalks controlled the steady flow of vehicles and pedestrians.

Retail continued to evolve. Luxury brands established flagship stores along the avenue. Large glass windows, bright displays, and bold signage replaced smaller storefronts from earlier decades. Fifth Avenue became one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

Residential life did not disappear entirely. High-rise apartment buildings offered views of Central Park and proximity to cultural institutions. Museums along the Upper East Side, including the stretch known as Museum Mile, added another layer to the avenue’s purpose.

The skyline along Fifth Avenue grew denser through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Office towers and mixed-use buildings replaced lower structures. Glass and steel designs contrast with older stone architecture that remains on certain blocks.

Public events now shape the avenue throughout the year. Parades, holiday celebrations, and civic gatherings draw large crowds. The street closes to traffic during major events, turning into a wide pedestrian space.

Today, Fifth Avenue serves many roles at once. It functions as a commercial hub, a tourist destination, a residential corridor, and a cultural center. Its appearance reflects more than a century of development, rising land values, and changing urban needs within New York City.

 

#1 Starting in the south, near Washington Square Park, this image looks west from 5th Avenue, down West 8th Street. In the 1911 photo, the building at left is a private residence, at right, an office of the Edison Company

Starting In The South, Near Washington Square Park, This Image Looks West From 5Th Avenue, Down West 8Th Street. In The 1911 Photo, The Building At Left Is A Private Residence, At Right, An Office Of The Edison Company

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#2 Next, we move up to West 20th Street, where the corner building remains intact, just a change of tenants from a store to buy trunks, and a publisher, to a sporting goods store and clothing store.

Next, We Move Up To West 20Th Street, Where The Corner Building Remains Intact, Just A Change Of Tenants From A Store To Buy Trunks, And A Publisher, To A Sporting Goods Store And Clothing Store.

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#3 Looking down West 36th Street, the private residences and shops at right have been replaced by a modern building, while most of the arches of the building at left remain visible, despite a new facade on the 5th Avenue side. Note the heights of the newer buildings looking down 36th.

Looking Down West 36Th Street, The Private Residences And Shops At Right Have Been Replaced By A Modern Building, While Most Of The Arches Of The Building At Left Remain Visible, Despite A New Facade On The 5Th Avenue Side. Note The Heights Of The Newer Buildings Looking Down 36Th.

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#4 A workman stands in front of a distinctive set of 3 arched windows on 5th Avenue, between East 38th and East 39th Street.

A Workman Stands In Front Of A Distinctive Set Of 3 Arched Windows On 5Th Avenue, Between East 38Th And East 39Th Street.

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#5 At West 40th Street, the brand new New York Public Library Building. The building opened to the public for the first time on May 23, 1911. The 2014 view has become obscured by trees.

At West 40Th Street, The Brand New New York Public Library Building. The Building Opened To The Public For The First Time On May 23, 1911. The 2014 View Has Become Obscured By Trees.

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#6 St. Patrick’s Cathedral at East 51st Street. In 1911 the building at left was the Union Club. Today it houses luxury jewelry and clothing stores.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral At East 51St Street. In 1911 The Building At Left Was The Union Club. Today It Houses Luxury Jewelry And Clothing Stores.

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#7 Between West 55th and West 56th Street, the the entryway of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (at left), has undergone a bit of a facelift. It’s neighboring building remain largely intact as well.

Between West 55Th And West 56Th Street, The The Entryway Of The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (At Left), Has Undergone A Bit Of A Facelift. It’s Neighboring Building Remain Largely Intact As Well.

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#8 Looking down East 57th Street, what were almost all private residences in 1911 have now been replaced with large commercial and retail buildings.

Looking Down East 57Th Street, What Were Almost All Private Residences In 1911 Have Now Been Replaced With Large Commercial And Retail Buildings.

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#9 At East 61st Street, across the avenue from Central Park (see the reflections in both photos). Again, mostly private residences back in 1911.

At East 61St Street, Across The Avenue From Central Park (See The Reflections In Both Photos). Again, Mostly Private Residences Back In 1911.

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#10 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum opened in 1872—29 years before this top photo was taken. Numerous additions have been made in the century since.

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. The Museum Opened In 1872—29 Years Before This Top Photo Was Taken. Numerous Additions Have Been Made In The Century Since.

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#11 At East 91st Street, the residence of Andrew Carnegie. Today, the Carnegie Mansion remains, and is the home of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

At East 91St Street, The Residence Of Andrew Carnegie. Today, The Carnegie Mansion Remains, And Is The Home Of The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

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#12 In 1911, Fifth Ave at East 93rd Street was home to a number of billboards touting stage performances, bacon, whiskey, and a speedometer. At right, a private residence. Today, nothing remains from either side of the street.

In 1911, Fifth Ave At East 93Rd Street Was Home To A Number Of Billboards Touting Stage Performances, Bacon, Whiskey, And A Speedometer. At Right, A Private Residence. Today, Nothing Remains From Either Side Of The Street.

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Written by Wendy Robert

Brand journalist, Ghostwriter and Proud New Yorker. New York is not a city – it’s a world.

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