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Offered languages
- English
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.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Lower level lobby
Papillion Restaurant
Itinerary
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1
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.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
A fascinating ego building
Admission ticket free -
(Pass 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.
Admission ticket free -
2
An old buggy whip factory, and a holdout.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
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!
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
This notorious site of a mob hit is next door to an interesting holdout.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Chrysler Building (Pass by)
Stunning views of this stunning landmark are had along here.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass 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.
Admission ticket free -
5
We end our downtown part of the walk at 42nd Street, where a single holdout survived history.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Grand 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.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This city-in-a-building was still under construction at this writing.
Admission ticket free -
7
This historic New York City institution had a holdout as a neighbor.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
We view this crystal shard-iceberg mashup of a building from the side
Admission ticket free -
(Pass 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.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass 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.
Admission ticket free -
8
Rockefeller Center's rich history includes a number of interesting, thought provoking holdouts.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
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.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
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
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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
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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