Walking Tour: AIA Presidents Shaping the Lower Manhattan Skyline

Meet across the street from Trinity Church at 89 Broadway. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

Starting in the southern end of lower Manhattan and heading north to Foley Square (Thomas Paine Park), this tour focuses on the significant impact that buildings designed by former American Institute of Architects (AIA) Presidents have had on Lower Manhattan. For example, Richard Upjohn served for nearly 20 years as the first AIA president, followed by Richard Morris Hunt, Daniel Burnham, Cass Gilbert, George Post, and Charles McKim, among other notable architects. On this tour, we will also see and discuss significant buildings by other early AIA Architects, such as Ralph Walker’s 1 Wall Street and the Barclay-Vesey Building, Ernest Graham’s Equitable Building, Richard Morris Hunt’s NY Tribune Building, and George Post’s NY World Building. As an offshoot we will see the progress in the development of the skyscraper in New York City and discuss the “style” of the skyscraper as it matured.

The AIA was founded in Lower Manhattan by 29 architects in 1857 to “promote the scientific and practical perfection of its members” and “elevate the standing of the profession.” Until this time, anyone who wished to call themselves an architect, including masons, carpenters, bricklayers, and other members of the building trade, could do so. The development of architecture as a profession in the United States in the second half of the 19th Century in many ways mirrors the development of building sciences, technologies, and practices in Lower Manhattan. Concurrent with the burgeoning architectural profession, structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering disciplines developed in concert with America’s post-Civil War industrial revolution. The concept of the General Contractor for building very large and tall structures, who was responsible for all construction contracts, coordination, and implementation, was essentially created in Lower Manhattan.

AIANY Guide: William M. Singer, AIA, LEED AP BD + D 

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AIANY cannot be held liable and assumes no responsibility for any injury or loss incurred by participants in these programs. Tour is limited to 17 attendees. A personal audio system will be in use for this tour. To insure each guest will receive a device, please arrive promptly 15 minutes prior to the start time. Walkups cannot be guaranteed a spot on the tour.

Cancellation Policy: 
AIANY Walking Tours take place rain or shine, please dress for the weather. There are no refunds, cancellations, or exchanges, unless we cancel a tour.