Starting at the westernmost part of Canal Street, I saw brand-new, multimillion-dollar condos sitting atop empty storefronts. The is the Zinc Building, where one-bedroom apartments have sold for upwards of $1.5 million.
Source: Streeteasy
The only storefront that isn't empty is a specialty cryotherapy spa called Cryofuel.
Source: Cryofuel
Traffic in this area is a nightmare, with cars and trucks sitting at a standstill at five-way intersections. Crossing guards have to direct traffic even with the traffic lights.
As I continued walking, I saw more empty stores. This one will eventually be the Jackie Robinson Museum, but it's not set to open until 2019.
Most of the closed stores had graffiti over them. It seemed like it was mostly local businesses that weren't able to keep their doors open.
Argo Electronics, considered a staple of Canal Street for the 37 years it was open, shut its doors in October 2017.
Source: Vanishing New York, Yellow Pages
Despite being one of the busiest spots in Manhattan, many parts of Canal Street look like they've been abandoned for years.
Even the National City Bank, a New York City landmark, has failed to hold onto businesses. A Walgreens store was the most recent to close, leaving another vacant storefront.
Source: Curbed NY
These abandoned buildings were recently approved to be replaced by low-rise commercial buildings, which means scaffolding is soon to replace the graffitied stores.
Source: Curbed NY