For dilettantes and aficionados of design and architecture, New York City’s month-long Archtober is something to get excited about. With this year’s Archtober five-borough festival scheduled to begin October 1st, we’ve compiled a list of must-attend virtual and in-person events for the month. We also recommend downloading the Archtober Guide app as a resource about historical sites, cultural institutions, green spaces, and restaurants to keep you intrigued and fueled throughout the festival.
Lost New York: Fifth Avenue Mansions
Knightsbridge Park has and currently markets many developments envisioned by contemporary “starchitects,” but the concept of high-profile architects is nothing new. In the mid-1800s, star architects of the day were commissioned to dream up magnificent mansions on Fifth Avenue for the likes of the Vanderbilts and Astors. This enlightening virtual talk takes us back to “Millionaires Row” as it was then.
Financial District Hidden Gems Tour
Knowing the current real estate market inside-out is part of what we do, but we also love to delve into the past. There’s a plethora of history to uncover in NYC’s Financial District, and on this in-person tour, you’ll discover everything from cryptic gravestones to a centuries-old candy store hidden in an office basement.
Secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge Tour
Over 130 years old, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city’s flagship landmarks, yet there’s always something new to learn about it. Join Archtober experts for an in-person walk across the bridge, covering its Cold War fallout shelter, hidden champagne vaults, and a statue of the engineers who constructed this iconic crossing. Multi-Family Residences: Then and NowThis exclusive in-person talk invites you inside 1228 Madison Avenue, where members of Robert A.M. Stern Architects discuss their classically inspired masterpiece, fashioned from shot-sawn limestone and heathered brick. Take time to marvel at the Kelly Behun interiors and views of the Guggenheim and Central Park.
Tour of The Skyscraper Museum
One of the places to contemplate NYC’s ever-changing skyline is The Skyscraper Museum, although there’s a global theme to this in-person Archtober talk, as museum director Carol Willis shows off models of the world’s three tallest buildings.
Inside the Renovated Waldorf-Astoria
Many of our clients deal in heritage buildings reimagined for a 21st-century clientele, so this virtual talk is right up our street. The Waldorf-Astoria, once frequented by presidents and famous crooners, now features 50,000 square feet of private amenities, including its “Starlight Pool,” which sparkles beneath an opulent skylight.
At Knightsbridge Park, we appreciate great architecture and design year-round. Share our passion and stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.