I would guess that this is not a typical New York City shot. The sunset you are seeing is being captured from the deserted boardwalk of Brighton Beach, known more for being the "New Russia"/"Little Odessa" rather than a sanctuary near the boundry of water and land. I took this picture just before getting back into my car and leaving the city via the Verrazano Narrows Bridge as it was setting into the dark (someday I will post a shot of it too).

Yes, all it took is one simple gradient map adjustment layer to totally change the appeance and even the spirit behind the photo. Now the ravaging sunset it all but a ghostly image of the boardwalk in the twilight.