Space Invader in NYC: A Guide

[UPDATE: As of Spring 2024, sadly only 32 remain in NYC.]

Most street art fans are familiar with the work of French artist Invader. Taking his name from an early arcade game (and his style from those early 8-bit graphics), Invader began a global project in 1998 called Space Invaders, affixing tile mosaics to the sides of buildings. Today, his work can be found in large cities in dozens of major countries. He is one of the world's most famous (and still anonymous) street artists.

Invader has visited NYC several times and left behind numerous installations. Many, as happens often, have been removed, vandalized, or stolen. Know someone vandalizing these? Report it! My aim here is simply to create a list of all remaining pieces in NYC that I have personally verified... so that my fellow street art fans can enjoy them. If I am missing any, or if any are gone since I last saw them, please comment below!

I can also provide custom walking tours about these works! Contact me today!

Manhattan:

  1. Lower East Side: On Ludlow St, between E. Houston & Stanton, look across from the Hotel Indigo, for a classic Invader

  2. Lower East Side: Also on Ludlow, between Delancey & Broome, look up on the east side of the street for a crowned Invader.

  3. Lower East Side: On Broome St, between Allen & Eldridge, look above the pizza shop awning for Leonardo of the TMNT.

  4. Lower East Side: On Bowery, between Broome & Delancey, look up on the east side of the street for Michelangelo of the TMNT.

  5. Lower East Side: On Mulberry St, between Grand & Hester, look up on the east side of the street for superhero character.

  6. Lower East Side: On Bowery, between E. Houston & Stanton, look up on the east side of the street for a drinking Invader.

  7. Lower East Side: On Lafayette St, between Prince & Spring, look up on the east side of the street for a flowery Invader.

  8. Lower East Side: On Bowery, between Hester & Canal, look up on the fire escapes on the west side of the street, for a strip of Invaders.

  9. Chinatown: On Division & Orchard, look up on the west corner, for Raphael of the TMNT.

  10. East Village: On Avenue A, at E. 9th St, look up on the corner for a classic Invader.

  11. East Village: On St Marks Place, look above Isabella for a mosaic of Lou Reed.

  12. East Village: On Avenue A & E. 3rd, look up on the northeast corner for a classic Invader.

  13. East Village: On Bowery & Great Jones St, look up on the southwest corner for a beat-up Invader.

  14. West Village: On 6th Ave & Waverly Place, look above the diner for a burger-chomping Invader.

  15. West Village: On Minetta & Bleecker, look up above the cafe for two classic Invaders

  16. Chelsea: On W. 14th St, between 8th & 9th Aves, look up on the south side of the street for a large Big Apple Invader.

  17. Chelsea: On W. 22nd St, btwn 10th & 11th, look on the south side of the street for a Pac Man ghost-style Invader.

  18. Meatpacking District: On Washington St, between E. 13th & Little W. 12th, look up on the west side, under the Standard hotel, for Buster Bunny

  19. Meatpacking District: On 10th Ave & W. 17th St, look above Artichoke Pizza for Donatello of the TMNT.

  20. Tribeca: On Thompson St, between Broome & Watts, look up, on the west side of the building, for a rainbow Invader.

  21. Hudson Square: At Pier 40, look on the south end of the building for a classic Invader.

  22. Lower Manhattan: On the NE corner of Reade & Greenwich, look up for a classic Invader

  23. Upper East Side: On E 61st St, between 2nd & 3rd Aves, look up above a doorway on the south side of the street, for a key-holding Invader

  24. Upper East Side: On 2nd Ave, between E. 94th & E. 95th, look up on the west side of the street for a flowery Invader.

  25. Williamsburg Bridge: On the pedestrian path of this bridge, closer to Manhattan, just before the FDR Drive, look to the right on the tower. On the arch, there is a small Invader facing west.

Brooklyn:

  1. Bushwick: On Troutman St, between Wyckoff & Irving, keeping looking up on the west side of the street for a tribute to Cost & ENX.

  2. Bushwick: On Gardner St, between Johnson Ave & Randolph St, look up on the west side of the street for Joey Ramone.

  3. Williamsburg: On Bedford Ave, by S 5th St, look up on the NE corner for a beat-up orange Invader.

  4. Williamsburg: On the SE corner of Metropolitan & Wythe, look up for a tribute to NYC graffiti legends Rev & Cost.

  5. South Williamsburg: At Broadway, between Keap & Rodney Sts, look above KidSuper for a classic Invader.

  6. Greenpoint: At the corner of Nassau & Kingsland, look above the pizzeria for pizza-munching Invader.

  7. Bed-Stuy: On St. Johns Place, between Utica & Rochester, look up on the south side of the street for a speeding Invader.

Any questions? Please comment below!

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