We’ll trace modern NYC from its days as the greatest manufacturing hub the world had ever seen to the financialized city of today. The tour centers on Cortlandt Street’s former “Radio Row,” Lower Manhattan’s once-thriving panoply of electronics shops and shacks. We’ll discuss the people who gave Radio Row its “amazingly human quality,” in Pete Hamill’s words, and those, like Jane Jacobs, who recognized its singular value. We’ll cover the 1960s battle over Lower Manhattan’s fate, which ended in the stunning demolition of Radio Row and the rise of the Twin Towers. We’ll also examine how finance – exemplified by David and Nelson Rockefeller – shaped the city’s built environment, architecture, and direction. The walk will be about 90 minutes, mostly shaded, beginning in Battery Park City and concluding at the foot of 1 World Trade Center.
Accessibility
The walk is about 1.2 miles long, mostly shaded, and nearly entirely flat. One ascent and descent will occur at the beginning as we step down into Rockefeller Park, but a ramp is available and we will ensure it is accessible for all interested tour participants.
The Chambers St. 1/2/3 station is 5-10 minutes away from the beginning of the tour, as are several bus stations and a CitiBike station. The tour ends at the World Trade Center, which is proximate to a wide range of transit options.
Location Information
RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.
guided
Saturday, May 2, 202611:00 AM
90 minutes
Borough: Manhattan
Theme: Art & Architecture, History & Culture
Language: English
