City Architecture Tour with Build Tours in New York
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels with moderate walking ability
Overview
Step into the streets of Manhattan with Build Tours’ engaging architecture walk through the Lower East Side, Bowery, and SoHo. Led by an expert architect, uncover stories behind iconic buildings in just two hours that reveal NYC’s rich architectural evolution and vibrant history.
SoHo & the Village NYC Architecture Walking Tour
Public • 2 Hours
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Explore the rich architectural tapestry of New York's Lower East Side, Bowery, and SoHo on a captivating two-hour walking tour. Led by Dr. Ivan Shumkov, a seasoned architect, you'll uncover the stories behind iconic buildings, from historic tenements to contemporary masterpieces, gaining a fresh perspective on the city's vibrant history.
Duration
2 Hours, Public Walking Tour
About this Tour:
From the historically diverse communities to cosmopolitan hot spots, the Lower East Side, Bowery, and SoHo have a fascinating history captured by the area’s architecture. During this tour, we discover this history by looking at some of the defining architectural typologies of these neighborhoods including the cast iron industrial spaces of Soho and tenement apartments of the LES as well stand-out contemporary buildings such as the New Museum by SANAA, Prada flagship boutique by Rem Koolhas, and Copper Union by Morphosis.
Famous building featured on this walking tour:
- NY by Frank Gehry, Frank Gehry, 2010
- City Hall, J. Mangin & J. McComb, Jr., 1812
- Tweed Courthouse, Kellum Leopold Eidlitz, 1881
- Hall of Records / Surrogate’s Court, Horgan & Slattery, 1907
- Municipal Building, McKim, Mead & White, 1914
- Engine Co 31, Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, 1895
- Chatham Towers, Kelly & Gruzen, 1965
- Eldridge St. Synagogue, Herter Brothers, 1886
- Lower E. Side Tenement Museum, 1863
- Bowery Savings Bank, McKim, Mead & White, 1895
- New Museum, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA), 2007
- Little Singer Building, Ernest Flagg, 1904
- Condict (Bayard Building), Louis Sullivan (Architect), 1898
- NYU Silver Towers, I.M. Pei & Associates, 1966
- 51 Astor Place, Fumihiko Maki, 2014
- Cooper Union Engineering, Morphosis, 2009
Your Architect Guide: Dr. Ivan Shumkov is a New York based licensed architect, urban planner, entrepreneur, and professor with more than 20 years of experience across the private, public, and academic sectors. He combines his experience of practicing and teaching architecture with his passion for discovering and sharing the history and secrets of New York. His tours provoke curiosity, show hidden urban gems, and give opportunities for experiencing and understanding art and architecture in a unique way. He helps his guests to see and connect the city through the eyes of an architect. They are activated and transformed by these immersive experiences and view the city in a new way.
Adventure Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes
The tour involves a fair amount of strolling through city streets, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
Check weather forecast
Since the experience is outdoors, dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day of your tour.
Bring a camera or smartphone
Capture the unique details of architectural features and vibrant street scenes during your walk.
Arrive early
Arriving a few minutes before the start ensures you won’t miss the introductory overview from Dr. Shumkov.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Pigeons in the plazas
- City squirrels in nearby parks
History
The neighborhoods visited have been centers of immigration, manufacturing, and artistic innovation since the 19th century.
Conservation
The tour promotes awareness of New York’s architectural heritage, supporting preservation efforts by highlighting historic buildings.
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Adventure Hotspots in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Essential for a full day of walking over city sidewalks and uneven terrain.
Weather-appropriate clothing
Dress in layers to stay comfortable regardless of outdoor conditions.
Camera or smartphone
Capture the architectural details and city scenes during the walk.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated during the outdoor activity, especially in warmer weather.