Tours Details
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 5pm EST
Duration: 2 hours (~30min walking)
Meeting Point: Whitney Museum
End Point: Hudson Yards
Participants limit: 10
New York Chelsea and the High Line Architecture, Art and City Tour: A Walk Through NYC’s Creative Core
Discover the dynamic intersection of art and architecture on this guided tour of Chelsea and the High Line, two of New York City’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. Once an industrial hub, Chelsea’s transformed warehouses now host one of the world’s highest concentrations of art galleries, making it a global epicenter of contemporary art. Combine this with the High Line, a stunning elevated park, and you’ll experience a vibrant blend of history, design, and culture.
Explore Landmark Projects and Cutting-Edge Design
This tour dives into the architectural marvels and cultural highlights of the area, from the historic streets of Chelsea to the innovative developments at Hudson Yards. Discover how adaptive reuse, bold architectural visions, and creative public spaces have shaped this iconic part of NYC. Key stops include the Whitney Museum, and the High Line, along with architectural masterpieces like the groundbreaking Hudson Yards. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, art lover, or urban explorer, this tour provides a deep understanding of how design influences urban life.
Important Projects Featured on this Tour
Explore some of the most significant architectural works in Chelsea and the surrounding areas:
- High Line – Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner (2008-2015).
- Whitney Museum of American Art – A Renzo Piano masterpiece (2015).
- The Standard Hotel – Iconic modern design by Polshek Partnership (2009).
- One High Line – A bold new landmark by Bjarke Ingels Group (2023).
- Diane von Fürstenberg HQ – A creative space by Work AC.
- Little Island – An imaginative park rising over the Hudson.
- IAC Building – Frank Gehry’s striking curved glass design (2007).
- 100 11th Avenue – A Jean Nouvel marvel (2006).
- HL23 – Cutting-edge residential design by Neil Denari.
- Porter House – An SHoP Architects gem.
- 520 West 28th Street – Zaha Hadid Architects’ visionary work.
- Maritime Hotel – Mid-century modern by Albert C. Ledner (1960s).
- Hudson Yards – Featuring 15 Hudson Yards (Diller Scofidio + Renfro), The Vessel (Thomas Heatherwick, 2019), and The Shed (Diller Scofidio + Renfro, 2020).
- The Spiral – A 2021 masterpiece by Bjarke Ingels Group.
- 1 Manhattan West – Modern elegance by SOM (2022).
- Javits Center – Designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (1986).
- Penn Station – A reinvention of a classic by McKim, Mead & White, FX Collaborative, ASTM (2023).
Languages
- Public Tours: Available in English.
- Private Tours: Offered in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Bulgarian, Catalan, German, and Dutch.
Why Choose This Tour?
This tour combines architecture, public art, and urban planning to provide a comprehensive look at how Chelsea and the High Line exemplify New York City’s innovation and creativity. Perfect for professionals, students, and curious visitors alike, it’s a must-do for anyone seeking to understand NYC’s dynamic architectural landscape.
Cancellation Policy
Customers will be issued a full refund or credit if canceling up to 24 hours in advance. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of our cancellation due to weather, not enough guests, or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by email at info@buildtours.com to inquire about rescheduling or cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Whitney Museum
Your PhD Architect Guides
Ivan R. Shumkov, PhD
CEO and Founder
Ivan 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 Tours, Build World and Build Academy, organizations dedicated to providing professional solutions and education for the built environment. He is currnetly a professor of architecture and urban design at Columbia Univeristy GSAPP, and has previously taught at Harvard, NYU, Pratt, Parsons, UIC and UPC Barcelona.
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 earned his PhD in Architecture in 2009 at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and Columbia University GSAPP, as fellow of the Fondation Le Corbusier. He graduated with four masters degrees from ETSA Barcelona, University of Florence, and Harvard University GSD, as a Fulbright scholar.
Ivan is a licensed NYC tour guide. Being fluent in multiple languages, he can conduct tours in English, Spanish, Catalan, Bulgarian, French and Italian.
Joseph Lengeling, AIA
Joseph moved to New York following graduate school at Cornell University and planned a two-year stint to pursue his architectural career before returning to his roots in the Midwest. His plan didn’t work out so well as he quickly fell in love with the city and has lived here now for over 40 years practicing for award winning firms including Mitchell/Giurgola, Cooper Robertson, and FXFowle.
Today, while still a practicing architect he now is “practicing retirement” so more of his time is spent developing virtual tours and walking tours, capitalizing on the many streets and sites he has traversed during his life in New York. Special areas of interest include the development of NYC parks, skyscrapers, Midtown modernism, the High Line and the development of the waterfront.
Teaching was always integral to Joseph’s career and his tours weave lively stories of history, biography, design, and current events with a passion that reveals his love of architecture. He is a registered architect and licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide.
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 9 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.
