Explore NYC’s Urban Design: Gramercy & Flatiron

Uncover the fascinating design principles that shaped New York City’s iconic urban landscape on this immersive walking tour! We’ll stroll through Gramercy Park and the Flatiron District, diving into the origins of the city’s grid system and discovering how public spaces like Madison and Union Square were cleverly integrated into irregular city blocks. Along the way, you’ll gain fresh insights into NYC’s architectural evolution from 1811 to today — all through an engaging and interactive experience. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or just curious about the city’s design, this tour offers a unique perspective on the hidden logic behind Manhattan’s layout.

Our guide, William Singer, AIA, is a Code and Zoning Specialist for The City of New York Department of Buildings Development and Technical Affairs. He is an expert in the design and construction of large-scale public facilities. His major projects have included justice centers, transportation hubs, and cultural centers. Before joining the Department of Buildings he was a partner at Gruzen Samton, a NYC & Virginia-based architecture, planning, interior design and systems engineering firm. A Fulbright fellow (Slovenia, 1993-94), he holds a Master of Architecture degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University, as well as a Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2004, Singer received a City of New York Arts Commission Excellence in Design for the renovation design of El Museo Del Barrio.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Manhattan from a fresh historical perspective! Thanks to William’s generous sponsorship, the first five students to register will receive a FREE ticket — so sign up fast! Sponsored tickets are limited to one per order.

Rain Date: In case of inclement weather, the tour will be postponed to May 25th.