Tours Details
Date: 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30
Start time: 2pm EST
Duration: 2 hours (~30min walking)
Meeting Point: Borough Hall
End Point: Barkleys Center
Participants limit: 10
Downtown Brooklyn Art and Architecture Tour: From History to Modernity
Explore the heart of Brooklyn on this guided tour of Downtown Brooklyn, a neighborhood where centuries of architectural styles coexist. From its beginnings as Dutch villages in the 17th century to its rise as a hub of innovation, Downtown Brooklyn tells the story of the borough’s evolution through its buildings.
This tour takes you through streets lined with charming 19th-century brownstones and past cutting-edge skyscrapers, revealing how Brooklyn blends its rich architectural history with bold contemporary design. A walk through Downtown Brooklyn is like stepping through time, with a single block spanning centuries—from pre-Civil War landmarks to modern marvels.
Discover an extraordinary mix of architecture, including:
- Brooklyn Borough Hall – Designed by Gamaliel King in 1848, this landmark is a symbol of Brooklyn’s civic pride.
- Offerman Building – A Romanesque Revival masterpiece by Peter J. Lauritzen (1893).
- Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn – A Beaux-Arts treasure by Mowbray and Uffinger (1908).
- One Willoughby Square – A sleek new skyscraper by FXCollaborative (2021).
- City Point – A mixed-use complex by CookFox Architects (2015, 2016).
- 9 DeKalb Avenue (Brooklyn Tower) – Brooklyn’s tallest building, designed by SHoP Architects (2023).
- The Hub (333 Schermerhorn Street) – A striking high-rise by Dattner Architects (2017).
- Barclays Center – An architectural and cultural icon by SHoP Architects (2012).
- Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower – A 1929 Art Deco masterpiece by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) – A historic cultural institution designed by Herts & Tallant (1908).
Extended Tour Options
For a deeper dive into Brooklyn’s architectural treasures, the extended tour features:
- New York Transit Museum – Housed in a 1936 subway station by William Jerome.
- The Polhemus Building – A stunning 1897 structure by Marshall Emery.
- One Clinton – A modern addition by Marvel Architects (2020).
Tour Experience
This walking tour covers a leisurely 1-2 mile route, weaving through Downtown Brooklyn and its picturesque side streets adorned with 19th-century brownstones. You’ll uncover Brooklyn’s dynamic past and see firsthand how it continues to shape its future.
Languages
- Public Tours: Available in English.
- Private Tours: Offered in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Urdu, Hindi, and Japanese.
Why Choose This Tour?
Ideal for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and curious visitors, this tour offers a comprehensive look at Brooklyn’s transformation from colonial roots to a modern urban center. See how historic charm and contemporary design coexist in one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Barkleys Center
Brooklyn Borough Hall
Your PhD Architect Guides
Dr. Afshan Bokhari grew up in Queens, NY and is a New York based art and architectural historian with more than 15 years of experience across the private, public, and academic sectors. She is a member of Build World and Build Academy, organizations dedicated to providing professional solutions and education for the built environment.
Afshan combines her experience of teaching art and architectural history with her passion for discovering and sharing the history and secrets of her hometown. Her fun and enlightening tours not only consider the architecture but also any sculptural details on the building. She reveals the hidden urban gems along the way and creates a unique and not boilerplate understanding of New York City’s history and its built environment. Afshan encourages questions and thoughtfully answers queries. She makes sure to cultivate a compelling and creative “lens” for the guests to use after the tour to gain a deeper understanding of the greatest city in the world.
Afshan is a licensed NYC tour guide and fluent in Urdu, Hindi and functional Japanese.
Ivan R. Shumkov, PhD
Dr. Ivan Shumkov is a New York based architect, urban planner, entrepreneur, and professor with more than 20 years of experience across the private, public, and academic sectors. He is the founder of Build World and Build Academy, organizations dedicated to providing professional solutions and education for the built environment.
Ivan 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 provide 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.
Ivan is a licensed NYC tour guide. Being fluent in multiple languages, he can conduct tours in English, Spanish, Catalan, Bulgarian, French and Italian.
Public Walking Tour
You’ll expperience NY with a small group of up to 10 other Art and Architecture professinals, enthusiasts and lovers.
Exclusive Private Tour
You’ll experience NY by yourself or with a group of your family, freinds and colleagues. Call or email us to customize your tour experience.
Experience New York with our PhD Architect-led Tours
Our public tours are 2 hours of transformational experiences that connect people with the city on a deeper level. We focus on 8 areas according to the location, neighborhood and their distinct character - weaving culture, history, architecture, art and design in an engaging, story-telling manner to uncover some of the city’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets.
