Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour

Meeting point

Where

Lower level lobby

Departure

10:00, 14:00, daily except Sun; scheduled through November 2027 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)

Return

Papillion Restaurant

Pickup

No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

Operator

Manhattan Unlocked Historical and Architectural Walking Tours; booking and payment are completed on Viator

1. 1
   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.

   15 min
2. A fascinating ego buildingPass by, no stop
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.

   Pass by, no stop
4. 4
   An old buggy whip factory, and a holdout5 min
5. 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!

   5 min
6. 6
   This notorious site of a mob hit is next door to an interesting holdout5 min
7. Chrysler Building

   Stunning views of this stunning landmark are had along here.

   Pass by, no stop
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.

   Pass by, no stop
9. 9
   42nd Street

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

   5 min
10. 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.

    5 min
11. This city-in-a-building was still under construction at this writingPass by, no stop
12. 12
    Brooks Brothers

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

    5 min
13. We view this crystal shard-iceberg mashup of a building from the sidePass by, no stop
14. 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.

    Pass by, no stop
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.

    Pass by, no stop
16. 16
    Rockefeller Center's rich history includes a number of interesting, thought provoking holdouts10 min
17. 17
    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.

    5 min

About this tour, from the operator