It does look a lot like 17th Street because similar old buildings still exist there. On the 14th Street side, they were knocked down and in its place went a couple of big box-type stores occupied over the years by May’s, Bradlee’s, and other discount chains.

Next one (Automatic Vaudeville Building), appears to have a sign at its top reading “Garibaldi.”

The third one says “Comedy Theatre” above its entrance.

If, as miss10016 indicates, the photo is looking to the north of Union Square, then the thoroughfare at the right would be Fourth Avenue (now known as Park Avenue South). But — and I could be wrong — it appears to be much narrower than it is today. And there are no “islands” up its length, from what I can see. So if the shot is towards the south, as Wildnewyork contends, it would be University Place. Again, I’m no expert, so I’m willing to agree with miss10016. Either way, it’s another gem of a post!