Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour

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 prope

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.

From: $0.00

Location: New York City

What's Included

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is there an age limit for this tour? Can kids join?

A: There's no strict age limit for the Holdouts tour, and kids are definitely welcome! However, keep in mind that it’s a walking tour, so your little ones should be comfortable walking for about 2.5 hours around Midtown Manhattan. Also, some of the stories might go over their heads, but they might enjoy the sights! Just make sure to bring some snacks and water to keep them energized.

Q: What should I wear for this walking tour? Is it casual?

A: Absolutely, it’s pretty casual! Wear comfortable shoes since you'll be walking a lot. Also, check the weather; layers are a good idea since it can get hot or chilly in NYC. Sunglasses and a hat are also smart if it's sunny. Just be ready to walk and enjoy!

Q: What if it rains? Is there a cancellation policy?

A: If it rains, they usually let you reschedule, which is great! Just keep an eye on their website for any updates about cancellations. It's all about enjoying the experience, so if the weather’s bad, it's better to wait for a nicer day. I had to reschedule my tour once, and it was super easy.

Discussions

Thinking of booking the Holdouts tour for my friend’s birthday!

Hey everyone! I’m considering gifting my friend the Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour for their birthday. We both love history and architecture, and this sounds like such a unique experience. The fact that it's about real holdouts in the city is fascinating! Just wondering if anyone has been on this tour? What did you think?

Just got back from the Holdouts tour and WOW!

I just finished the Holdouts tour in Midtown, and it totally exceeded my expectations! The stories about the holdouts were so engaging, and the guide was fantastic. I learned so much about the weird corners of NYC architecture! If you're thinking about gifting this experience, do it. It's a gem!