Tours Details
Date: Every Sunday
Start time: 3pm EST
Duration: 2 hours (~30min walking)
Meeting Point: Frick Collection
End Point: Museum of the City of NY
Participants limit: 10
New York Upper East Side Architecture, Art and City Tour
Explore the Upper East Side: New York’s Gilded Age and Modern Architectural Marvels
The Upper East Side is a neighborhood where the grandeur of New York’s Gilded Age meets cutting-edge modern design. With its stately townhouses and world-renowned cultural institutions, this iconic area offers a unique glimpse into the city’s evolution through architecture and art. On this expertly guided tour, delve into the ornate legacy of the Victorian era with highlights such as the Henry Clay Frick Mansion, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the French Consulate. Contrast these historic treasures with modern masterpieces, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum and Marcel Breuer’s former Whitney Museum, showcasing how the Upper East Side bridges tradition and innovation.
Tour Highlights: Architectural and Cultural Gems
- Central Park (Calvert Vaux & Frederick Law Olmsted, 1858): The iconic green heart of Manhattan.
- Frick Collection, (Carrère & Hastings, 1914): A mansion turned museum, epitomizing Gilded Age elegance.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (Calvert Vaux, 1874; McKim, Mead & White, 1904): One of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world.
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (Frank Lloyd Wright, 1959): A revolutionary design that redefined museum architecture.
- Former Whitney Museum (Marcel Breuer, 1966): A Brutalist icon, now home to the Frick Madison.
- French Consulate (Walker & Gillette, 1926): A neoclassical gem reflecting transatlantic architectural influence.
- Museum of the City of New York (Joseph J. Freedlander, 1929): A celebration of NYC’s history and culture, with your tour ticket included.
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (Andrew Carnegie Mansion): A hub of design and innovation.
Why Choose This Tour?
- Gilded Age Elegance and Modern Marvels: Experience the architectural evolution of New York’s most prestigious neighborhood.
- Insightful Stories and Expert Guidance: Learn about the influential families, architects, and artists who shaped the Upper East Side.
- Cultural Access: Enjoy included admission to the Museum of the City of New York, enhancing your experience with deeper insights into the city’s past.
Languages
- Public Tours: Offered in English.
- Private Tours: Available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Bulgarian, and Catalan.
Who Should Join This Tour?
Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and art lovers, this tour is an immersive journey through the Upper East Side’s rich heritage. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned New Yorker, this tour offers a unique perspective on the neighborhood’s transformation from a haven for Gilded Age elites to a hub of modern cultural excellence.
Book Your Tour Today
Reserve your spot now to explore the Upper East Side’s architectural splendor and artistic landmarks. This tour promises an unforgettable experience that bridges the past and the present, showcasing New York’s timeless allure.
Frick Collection
Your Architect Guides
Ivan R. Shumkov, PhD
CEO and Founder
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 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 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.
William M. Singer, AIA, LEED AP BD + C, NCARB
William M. Singer, AIA, LEED AP BD + C, NCARB, is currently 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.
Semi-Private Walking Tour
Experience 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.
