Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour

New York, US
96% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (29 reviews)

Highlights

  • Fascinating stories of holdouts and their impact
  • Exploring the intriguing side effects of Manhattan's real estate industry
  • Discovering the personal stories behind the holdouts
  • Seeing unique and unconventional buildings and structures
  • Experiencing the everlasting impression left behind by the holdouts

What to expect

1

TPR Holdings

We start in lower lobby of this distinctive building where we'll lay the groundwork for the tour, where we'll go and what we'll see. The building itself is the result of holdouts, and our first subject.

Duration 15 minutes
2

Lipstick Building

A fascinating ego building

3

Citicorp Center

Not a holdout, but a fascinating story is associated with the construction of this building, whose main pillar supports are not in the corners, but in the middle of the side.

4

Wollensky's Grill

An old buggy whip factory, and a holdout.

Duration 5 minutes
5

Amster Yard

If this oases is open at the time of the tour, we stop in for a moment. A time capsule where histories clash and the city meets the suburbs - - a much earlier one!

Duration 5 minutes
6

Sparks Steak House

This notorious site of a mob hit is next door to an interesting holdout.

Duration 5 minutes
7

Chrysler Building

Stunning views of this stunning landmark are had along here.

8

United Nations Headquarters

We view the Secretariet Building down the block as we continue to pass and discuss holdouts and how they've influenced the streetscapes today.

9

42nd Street

We end our downtown part of the walk at 42nd Street, where a single holdout survived history.

Duration 5 minutes
10

Grand Central Terminal

As we make our way to the west side and the uptown portion of the tour we will pass through Grand Central. While not associated with a any holdouts, a mini-tour of this iconic landmark is very possible.

Duration 5 minutes
11

One Vanderbilt

This city-in-a-building was still under construction at this writing.

12

Brooks Brothers

This historic New York City institution had a holdout as a neighbor.

Duration 5 minutes
13

One Bryant Park | Bank of America Tower

We view this crystal shard-iceberg mashup of a building from the side

14

The Roosevelt Hotel

We pass by this sole survivor of Terminal City, from a time before air travel when Grand Central linked to three hotels to receive cross-country travelers. We continue our tour passing fascinating ways holdouts have changed the look of the city.

15

Diamond District

Worth noting the block where $440 million in diamonds are traded daily. The entrance a block to the north as we cross Fifth Avenue is flanked by 12' diamond sculptures.

16

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center's rich history includes a number of interesting, thought provoking holdouts.

Duration 10 minutes
17

Papillon Bistro & Bar

We end the tour here, one of the most compelling examples of a holdout, and is more appropriately a hold-IN. Here a restaurant proprietor negotiated additional square footage to expand his restaurant into the future skyscraper. You can enter the skyscraper today and stand within the walls of a 19th century brownstone.

Duration 5 minutes

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Wheelchair accessible
  • Additional information
    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Additional information
    Service animals allowed
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Additional information
    Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Additional information
    It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes
Provided by Manhattan Unlocked Historical and Architectural Walking Tours

What our experts say

  • icon
    Start early to avoid crowds.
  • icon
    Check Amster Yard's opening time.
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    Grab a coffee at Grand Central's café.
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    Consider visiting nearby Rockefeller Center.
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    Wear layers, NYC weather can change.

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