Agree, but this skyline still exists (probably 90% of the Lower Manhattan pre-war skyline is still intact). It's just not easily seen anymore since all those 4-5 story low-rise buildings by the shore were replaced by 200m+ skyscrapers in the 70s (like 55 Water Street and 1 New York Plaza).
So the east view is obscured. The west side view was obscured by the Battery Park City infill and World Trade Center. And now most of the construction is in North Lower Manhattan near Chinatown/Tribeca.
But the historical core is surprisingly intact. I've long said an observation deck on 55 Water Street would be a massive hit:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ne...!4d-74.0059728