Woolworth Building Tour & Reception: From Cathedral of Commerce to Catalyst for Culture

Once hailed as the “Cathedral of Commerce,” the Woolworth Building is entering a bold new era—reimagined as a catalyst for culture where arts, design, innovation, and community converge.

Co-curated by Untapped New York and the Downtown Alliance, this special event will explore the past, present, and future of the Woolworth Building with VIP tours of the breathtaking lobby, a reception and art installation, and a dynamic panel discussion, featuring leading voices from New York’s cultural and architectural spheres.

Opened in 1913, the Woolworth Building represented an unprecedented feat of engineering and architectural prowess. Soaring nearly 800 feet, it was the tallest building in the world and the most expensive office tower ever built at the time. Gilded Age tycoon Frank W. Woolworth commissioned architect Cass Gilbert to design the skyscraper that fused Gothic grandeur with cutting-edge technology, like electricity, steam-powered heating, and Otis elevators. Throughout its 113-year history, the building has been home to many notable tenants, including Nikola Tesla, Columbia Records, and Fordham University.

Come explore the Woolworth Building’s enduring legacy and its exciting future as a cultural and creative hub for Lower Manhattan!

Reception and Panel Discussion

🎟️ $5 for all, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET, Woolworth Building, 26th Floor

Take in the views from the Woolworth Building’s exclusive 26th floor and learn about the history, impact, and evolution of this legendary landmark from New York City’s top voices in architecture, culture, and design.

• Featured Speakers:
  • Carol Willis, Founder & Director of the Skyscraper Museum
  • Gregg Pasquarelli, Founding Principal at SHoP Architecture
  • Ron Castellano, Founder of Studio Castellano
  • Nate Rogers, Partner at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects
  • Moderated by Untapped New York's Chief Experience Officer, Justin Rivers
• See an art installation created by Untapped New York's Artist-in-Residence, Aaron Asis, featuring historical images and actual pieces of the Woolworth Building facade
• Enjoy complimentary wine, soft drinks, and light fare

VIP Lobby Tours

🎟️ $35, 5:15 - 6:00 pm OR 7:15 - 8:00 pm ET, Woolworth Building Lobby
⭐ $25 for Untapped New York Members at the Insider tier or higher

• Admire the glittering details of the Woolworth Building's cathedral-esque lobby
• Decode the symbolic images of the massive mezzanine murals
• Peek inside a hidden bank vault
• Learn about the five-and-dime magnate, Frank W. Woolworth, who paid for the building's construction out of his own pocket

About Your Guide

Bob Gelber has been a licensed Tour Guide in New York City for almost 19 years, after serving a 30-year career with the New York State Court System. He is a 20-year volunteer with Open House New York, and just celebrated his 19th year as a staff volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bob was hired by Woolworth Building architect Cass Gilbert’s great-grandchildren, as one of the official guides, to lead tours of the building lobby. He led lobby tours for 6 years. Bob is a former Vice President of the Guides Association of New York City, where he currently sits on several committees.

This Event is Made Possible Thanks To:

Alliance for Downtown New York: The mission of the Alliance for Downtown New York is to provide service, advocacy, research, and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st-century Central Business District for businesses, residents, and visitors. The Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID), serving an area that roughly covers everything south of City Hall and along three waterfronts (East River, Hudson River, and NY Harbor). The Downtown Alliance strives to make Lower Manhattan a wonderful place to live, work and play by creating a vibrant, multi-use neighborhood where businesses can prosper, and the residential community can flourish.

LM Live is a programming initiative designed by the Downtown Alliance to bring the Lower Manhattan community together around events that highlight the neighborhood’s talent, innovation, history, and culture. LM Live events strive to create in-person connections in a digital world.

Cammeby's: Founded in 1967, Cammeby's is a privately held real estate investment firm with a diversified portfolio encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial properties across the United States. Headquartered in New York City, Cammeby's is renowned for its long-term investment approach and commitment to preserving the character and integrity of its properties. Notable holdings include iconic assets such as the Woolworth Building, where Cammeby's continues to honor the building's historic significance while nurturing strong relationships with tenants and the surrounding community.

Untapped New York: Untapped New York is a tour and media company driven by a mission of discovery. Founded in 2009 and powered by a team of passionate New Yorkers, Untapped New York transforms how locals and visitors experience the city through behind-the-scenes, expert-guided tours and captivating stories that reveal the city's overlooked hidden gems.

Baguettes & Company: Baguettes and Company is a leading Manhattan Caterer for corporate and private functions. Their customers include Fortune 500, Wall Street, Television, and Film Industry companies, providing full-service staff, table settings, arranging for floral and/or other decorations, as well as musical talent on request.

Wizard Studios: Wizard Studios is an event production company founded in 2002 by CEO, Matthew Saravay. Their unique and award-winning special event visioning, design, and implementation abilities are sought after by Fortune 500, non-profits, marketing, advertising & PR agencies, political campaigns, and venues in NYC and around the nation.