Tours Details
Dates: Every Saturday
Time: 10am EST
Duration: 2 hours (~30min walking)
Meeting Point: Battery Park
End Point: Oculus Path Station
Participants limit: 10
New York Financial District and the World Trade Center Architecture, Art and City Tour
Discover the architectural wonders of Lower Manhattan on this popular tour of the New York Financial District and the World Trade Center (WTC) area. At the southern tip of Manhattan, the island’s east and west sides meet in a breathtaking display of skyscrapers that define New York City’s iconic skyline. This tour explores the fascinating contrasts between historic landmarks and bold contemporary designs, revealing the evolution of one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.
Tour Highlights: A Journey Through NYC’s Past and Future
Immerse yourself in the Financial District’s rich history and innovative spirit as you visit key landmarks:
- Battery Park City – A modern development that transformed Manhattan’s waterfront (1990s).
- Trinity Church – A Gothic Revival masterpiece by Frederick Clarke Withers (1846).
- One Wall Street, An Art Deco masterpiece by Ralph Walker (1931).
- Federal Reserve Building – Icons of America’s financial power (1924).
- Fraunces Tavern – A colonial-era gem steeped in Revolutionary War history.
- Stone Street – One of NYC’s oldest streets, now a lively historic district.
- Custom House, neoclassical landmark by Cass Gilbert, 1907),
- Woolworth Building (Cass Gilbert, 1912),
- Chase Manhattan Plaza, modern tower by SOM, (1960)
- 8 Spruce Street – Frank Gehry’s only NY tower, (2010).
- Zuccotti Park – A hub of public life, designed by Cooper, Robertson & Partners (2006).
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Reflect on history at Michael Arad’s moving memorial (2011) and Snøhetta’s striking museum (2014).
- World Trade Center Complex – A showcase of contemporary design, featuring:
- One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) – Designed by SOM’s David Childs (2015).
- Oculus PATH Station – A futuristic transit hub by Santiago Calatrava (2015).
- St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – An elegant creation by Calatrava (2020).
- Perelman Performing Arts Center – A stunning cultural space by REX (2023).
Tour Experience
This walking tour covers the Financial District, World Trade Center area, and East River waterfront. Learn how Lower Manhattan evolved from a colonial trading post to a global financial and architectural powerhouse. Witness firsthand how history and innovation converge in this ever-changing urban landscape.
Languages
- Public Tours: Conducted in English.
- Private Tours: Available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Bulgarian, and Catalan.
Why Choose This Tour?
Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious visitors, this tour provides an in-depth look at the heart of New York City. From historic churches and Art Deco skyscrapers to the cutting-edge designs of the WTC complex, you’ll gain a new appreciation for NYC’s architectural and cultural legacy.
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.
Battery Park
Trinity Church, 1846
Federal Reserve, York & Sawyer, 1924
Oculus Path Station, Santiago Calatrava, 2015
8 Spruce Street, Frank Gehry, 2010
130 Williams St, David Adjaye
Fulton Station, Grimshaw, 2015
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Santiago Calatrava, 2020
WTC1, David Childs (SOM), 2015
Chase Manhattan, SOM (Gordon Bunshaft), 1960
Woolworth Building, Cass Gilbert, 1912
New Amsterdam Plein and Pavilion, UN Studio, 2009
Custom House, Cass Gilbert, 1907
Federal Hall, Town & Davis, 1842
Your Architects and 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.
William M. Singer, AIA, LEED, NCARB
William is an architect and urban planner, currently working as a discerning Code and Zoning Specialist for the NYC Department of Buildings. With a long and rich background in designing and constructing major public facilities—including courthouses, schools, transportation hubs, and cultural landmarks—William brings a wealth of knowledge to our tour. His impressive resume includes being a partner at Gruzen Samton Architects, a leading NYC architecture and planning firm, a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Slovenija, with graduate degrees in both Architecture and English. For the exceptional renovation and modernization of El Museo Del Barrio, he was honored with a City of New York Arts Commission Excellence in Design award (2004), a NYS AIA Merit Design Award for Adaptive Reuse (2011) and a Municipal Arts Society Master Works Award for Community Catalyst (2012).
William blends his passion for architecture, urbanism and history into a love of teaching—sharing information and knowledge. His 13 years of teaching in NYU’s Graduate Program for Real Estate Development, where he created and honed his cycle of walking tours, merge with 10 years of providing tours to One To World, the official Fulbright Programming organization in the NYC Metro area, enhances his knowledge of NYC through active engagement with tour colleagues—questions and discourse about NYC significantly sharpen the focus of observing the city. The way to know a city is through one’s feet.
Choose between our small group semi-private tour and exclusive private tour options.
Semi-Private Walking Tour
You’ll experience NY with a small group of up to 10 other Art and Architecture professionals, enthusiasts and lovers.
Exclusive Private Tour
You’ll experience NY by yourself or with a group of your family, friends 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.
