The end of the year always serves as a time of reflection, but the end of an entire DECADE feels so much more momentous.
Thinking about the last 10 years in NYC brings to mind so many different news headlines, social media trends, and simply the memories of everyday life. But no matter what year, we can all acknowledge what an amazing city New York truly is!
As we come to the end of the 2010s and prepare for the start of the 2020s, here are some of the biggest changes NYC has seen in the past decade:
Construction and Development
From substantial additions to the city’s skyline to the rapid development of certain neighborhoods, we’ve definitely seen many changes to the very streets of NY over the past decade.
Statistics show that city construction has hit another record high (according to the number of building permits), and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the New York Building Congress reported that spending on construction projects will likely increase by another 10 percent by the end of the year, according to the New York Daily News.
Some of the stand-out building projects since 2010 include:
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The High Line: Such a regular part of NYC today, it’s hard to believe overall construction of all sections of this historic park was only completed in 2014!
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One World Trade Center: The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere changed the very cityscape of New York when it opened in 2014, while also honoring our past as it sits where the Twin Towers once did and a beacon of light shines out every night that can be seen from miles away.
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Hudson Yards: After $25 billion and seven years of construction, the new city feature sprung to life this year with shopping, restaurants and the climbable Vessel art structure.
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Long Island City: It took a little while to get going, but LIC has undoubtedly seen some of the biggest (and fastest) development changes within the past decade. Some of the main buildings that have drastically changed its landscape have only popped up within the last 10 years, like Two Gotham Center and 27 on 27th which have reshaped Jackson Ave. Though Amazon will no longer be headquartered there, it will likely just keep on expanding.
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Luxury Condo and Apartment Buildings: The addition of luxury condo and apartment buildings have significantly changed the NYC skyline, like Sky in Hell’s Kitchen (the biggest condo rental building in NYC), 432 Park in Midtown (the second tallest skyscraper in NYC), the Madison Square Park Tower in the Flatiron district, and The Hub in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.
Rising Costs
Prices almost always rise over specific time periods because of inflation, but New York has undeniably seen a record number of high costs for residents since 2010. Namely in:
Rent
Rent numbers at the beginning of the decade started out fairly low (at least “low” by NYC’s standards!) thanks to the fallout from the 2008 recession. According to the Douglas Elliman real estate rental reports, median rental prices in Manhattan reached an all-time high this November at $3,600 per month, which is the highest level in over a decade and the second-highest ever.
MTA
As for what likely sticks out in most New Yorkers’ minds? The MTA fare hike-ups from $2.25 for a single MetroCard ride to $2.75, and the monthly MetroCard increase from $89 in 2010 to $127 in 2019.
Originality in the Arts
This decade welcomed the Broadway mega-hit “Hamilton,” which undoubtedly paved the way for other subsequent shows that break the mold, like “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” and “Slave Play.” It was also a popular time for more immersive theatrical events like Sleep No More at the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea, and bright, interactive art exhibitions like Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room.
So long 2010s, it’s been a wild ride!
featured image source: Shutterstock