New York, NY (November 5, 1994)
Looking east on Prince Street, north side of street between Greene & Mercer Streets.

This photo is how I’ll always remember New York City’s SoHo. Streets empty with a somewhat dreary feeling. Handbills and graffiti everywhere. Many of the buildings filled with artists lofts. This is the SoHo before the five and ten million dollar lofts took over the neighborhood.

These days the ground floors of the buildings are now designer clothing stores and the building at the end of the block is the Mercer Hotel, lodging of choice for visiting celebrities.

I first came around SoHo in 1987. The neighborhood was changing, but still pretty much filled artist lofts and galleries. After a morning photographing the streets, I’d visit numerous photography galleries. Afterwards, I’d head back up to Greenwich Village for an afternoon of beer drinking at Kenny’s Castaways or The Kettle of Fish. There was always a cozy and affordable dive bar nearby. New York City was new to me and special. There was a creative edge to the city I don’t see anymore. I miss those days.

From the collection, “Streets of New York: 1987-2001”
© Richard Serviss