Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, though the content is geared toward adults and older children with an interest in architecture.

Can the tour accommodate special mobility needs?

The route is on city sidewalks with few obstacles but please inquire ahead for specific accessibility accommodations.

What if it rains during the tour?

The tour operates rain or shine. Dressing appropriately with rain gear is recommended.

Are tickets refundable or changeable?

Build Tours offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour start time.

How large are the tour groups?

Groups are capped at 10 participants to ensure an engaging and personal experience.

Is there a restroom availability during the tour?

Public restrooms are limited en route, so plan accordingly before the tour begins.

Upper East Side Architecture Walk with Build Tours NYC

The Upper East Side of New York City stands as a living gallery of architectural history, stretching from the elaborate mansions of the Gilded Age to sleek modern landmarks. Build Tours offers a compelling 2-hour walking tour that dives into this storied neighborhood’s design legacy, starting at the iconic Plaza Hotel at 1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021. Led by Dr. Ivan Shumkov, a seasoned architect and professor, this experience is more than a stroll—it’s an education through stone, steel, and glass.

From the ornate façades of the Henry Clay Frick mansion to the sweeping curves of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum, each stop reveals a piece of the city’s multifaceted architectural narrative. The route also cuts through scenic edges of Central Park, designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted in 1858, connecting urban design with natural landscapes.

What sets this tour apart is Dr. Shumkov’s deep knowledge and ability to expose hidden details that most visitors overlook—be it the Beaux-Arts elegance of the Metropolitan Museum or the brutalist lines of Marcel Breuer’s former Whitney Museum. His expertise transforms buildings into stories of ambition, innovation, and cultural change within New York’s evolving metropolis.

Located in a historic part of Manhattan, this tour links renowned landmarks like the French Consulate and Bloomberg Tower alongside lesser-known architectural gems, providing a layered understanding of urban development. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or looking for a fresh way to see NYC’s famed Upper East Side, Build Tours offers a thoughtful, immersive perspective that enriches your visit.

Walking this route highlights how New York balances preservation with modern design, inviting visitors to witness architecture as an evolving dialogue. It’s an approachable adventure for anyone ready to engage with the city’s built environment beyond the usual sightseeing checklist.

About Build Tours

Build Tours is a New York–based tour operator that specializes in architecture, art, and design walking tours across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Build Tours offers scheduled public walks and private, custom tours that explore neighborhoods including SoHo, the Village, Chelsea, the High Line, Hudson Yards, Midtown, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, the Financial District, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, Morningside Heights, and Central Park.

Guided by credentialed experts, Build Tours presents neighborhood history, design context, and built‑form analysis. Architect Dr. Ivan Shumkov leads many architecture walking tours, offering professional insight into façades, urban plans, and recent developments. Art and architectural historian Dr. Afshan Bokhari leads Downtown Brooklyn tours and adds historical perspective on cultural institutions and streetscapes.

Offerings include two‑hour public architecture walks such as SoHo & the Village and Chelsea & the High Line, a four‑hour private Harlem architecture tour, private Central Park architecture walks, and bespoke developer and investor tours. Private options cover Midtown, Upper East and West Sides, Financial District, and custom design and real estate engagements.

Build Tours emphasizes clear meeting points in central New York locations, small group experiences, and curator‑level commentary suitable for visitors, students, professionals, and developers. Tour routes combine landmark highlights—Grand Central, the Empire State Building, the Whitney, The Vessel, Guggenheim, Apollo Theater, Belvedere Castle—and lesser‑known urban gems.

As a third‑party curator of guided architecture experiences, Build Tours provides factual, expert‑led interpretation of New York’s built environment for guests seeking a deeper understanding of the city’s design legacy.