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Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour
New York City, New York, USA
$59.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
This 2.5 hour walking tour around the Midtown Manhattan shows-and-tells the fascinating stories of holdouts—the intriguing side effect of Manhattan's pressure cooker real estate industry: when a property owner (or lease holder) refused to sell to a developer, forced them to rework their plans, and forever changed the city streetscape. Stories, like the elderly lady who never knew any other home; or the poker player-like landlord who overplayed his hand; or the restauranteur whose long term lease (justifiably) demanded budget-busting sums, all add a human dimension to these transactional anomalies. And personal stories that were otherwise lost, are awesomely amplified by the everlasting impression left behind: seemingly ill-planned entrances for skyscrapers, odd shaped buildings, 20-story tall notches in office towers, are just some of the 16 examples of holdouts we'll see.
This tour is based on the book, Holdouts! By Alpern and Durst.
This tour is based on the book, Holdouts! By Alpern and Durst.
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Start Times
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Availability depends on seasonality and number of participants. Bookings can not be made for the same day. Please read our TnC’s.
When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
Check available dates by emailing us at [email protected]
- Professional guide
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Lower level lobby
Return details
Papillion Restaurant
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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.
- A fascinating ego building (pass by)
- 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)
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An old buggy whip factory, and a holdout.
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Amster YardIf 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!
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This notorious site of a mob hit is next door to an interesting holdout.
- Stunning views of this stunning landmark are had along here. (pass by)
- 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)
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42nd StreetWe end our downtown part of the walk at 42nd Street, where a single holdout survived history.
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Grand Central TerminalAs 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.
- This city-in-a-building was still under construction at this writing. (pass by)
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Brooks BrothersThis historic New York City institution had a holdout as a neighbor.
- We view this crystal shard-iceberg mashup of a building from the side (pass by)
- 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)
- 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)
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Rockefeller Center's rich history includes a number of interesting, thought provoking holdouts.
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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.
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met,
you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour
New York City, New York, USA
$59.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!