The island of Manhattan is one of the most recognizable urban centers in the world. For the past four hundred years, the island that so many New Yorkers call home has changed and evolved depending on the needs of its inhabitants – today totaling over 8 million.
To chart the evolution of Manhattan, NeoMam Studios has teamed up with Angie’s List to dig into the archives of the New York Public Library and Library of Congress. The result is an animation and series of maps that chart the growth of Manhattan beginning with 1609, and arriving at 2019.
For further details on the project, and information behind the maps produced, visit the Angie’s List page here. The collaboration follows on from previous investigations by NeoMam, including what New York’s Central Park could have looked like, and five U.S. monuments that were never built.
What New York's Central Park Could Have Looked Like
New York's iconic Central Park was designed in 1858 by F.L Olmsted and C. Vaux, having been chosen in a competition against 32 other entries. The competition called for the design of a park including a parade ground, fountain, watchtower, skating arena, four cross streets, and room for an exhibition hall.