Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour Discount Tickets

4.9
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 36 reviews |
location pin icon 405 Lexington Ave., Manhattan, New York City, New York, 10174, USA
location pin icon New York City
4.9 /5
36 reviews
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View all Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour photos

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$51.82

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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.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Lower level lobby

End Point

End point

Papillion Restaurant

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

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 mins
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 mins
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 mins
6. Sparks Steak House
This notorious site of a mob hit is next door to an interesting holdout.
Duration: 5 mins
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 mins
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 mins
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 mins
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 mins
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 mins

Inclusion

Professional guide

Exclusion

Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes

Supplied by Manhattan Unlocked Historical and Architectural Walking Tours

Reviews

4.9

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 36 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
34
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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1 stars
1

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