Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour

4.9 (36 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

36 reviews

4.9

Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Holdouts: A NYC Architecture Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Day Trips Half-day Tours Architecture Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours City Tours Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 5 people
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: Manhattan Unlocked Historical and Architectural Walking Tours

Ages: Children (0–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Professional guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

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.
Stop 2

Passing by

A fascinating ego building
Citicorp Center

Passing 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.
Stop 4

5 min

An old buggy whip factory, and a holdout.
Amster Yard

5 min

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!
Stop 6

5 min

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

Passing by

Stunning views of this stunning landmark are had along here.
United Nations Headquarters

Passing 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.
42nd Street

5 min

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

5 min

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.
Stop 11

Passing by

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

5 min

This historic New York City institution had a holdout as a neighbor.
Stop 13

Passing by

We view this crystal shard-iceberg mashup of a building from the side
Stop 14

Passing 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.
Diamond District

Passing 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.
Stop 16

10 min

Rockefeller Center's rich history includes a number of interesting, thought provoking holdouts.
Stop 17

5 min

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Lower level lobby

End point

Papillion Restaurant

Using your ticket

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes
Please dress according to the weather

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.