Can I see a tour of an apartment building in Manhattan?

Question

Ever since I was little, I've always dreamed of living in Manhattan, New York when I grew up. This year for my 15th birthday my dad is taking me to Manhattan and I would just love to see a tour of an apartment building. Problem is, I have no idea where I can find one. Does anyone know where I can go to see one, if they even HAVE tours?

Answer 1

I understand exactly! Grew up in suburbia and was enamored with the city and how people lived. Now I own a co-op here (well Queens) and still I am fascinated with apartments. And after 20 years, I still want to try and get a chance to walk around the Dakota! Andre's right of course, but do as others have said and do open houses. I still go to them even though I have no intention of purchasing (though part of it is we are renovating and we are looking to cull ideas). And do not be worried about the RE agent being annoyed that you have no intention of purchasing. For a RE agent, the more folks who come to an open house the better, as it makes them look good in the eyes of their clients and helps broaden their own networks. Just dress decently (very important!), be respectful, and play the part of a detached, potential purchaser. The Re agent is bound to engage you, so be polite, but don't take up too much of their time: Let them spend their time on buyers. Do not, however, do open houses by appointment only, as then you will be wasting the time of the RE agent.



So you got that. And then you have the tenement museum: http://www.tenement.org/ which is a must do.



In the summertime, the Jackson Heights Beautification Group does tours of the gardens of Jackson Heights. Its not Manhattan and its not the inside of apartment buildings, but it is an impressive tours of the gardens which are the private oases of a string of historic apartment buildings which are almost a century www.jhbg.org/

Answer 2

I agree with everything Andre said.



But I will say that I do sometimes go to open houses for apartments I'm not thinking of buying, just to get a sense of the cost if different apartments. (One say I may sell the home I live in and buy something smaller, when my kids move away. So I want to stay abreast of what certain kinds of apartments are worth.) I also just enjoy going to open houses!



So you might go online and pick out an open house that interests you. That's a way to see a real NYC apartment. Though not all apartments are in "apartment buildings". Some are in brownstones.

Answer 3

You could have your Dad peruse real estate listings to see if there are any open house viewings for apartments for sale while you are there. That is the only way you will get to see something semi-luxurious if you don't know anyone personally who lives in such a place. Most good buildings are very security conscious and have a doorman screening visitors who is not supposed to let strangers wander about. The RE agent may not be too thrilled about people who don't look like real prospective buyers, though.

Answer 4

Only time you might able to see apartment building with tour is on every first weekend or second weekend on October and it called OpenHouseNewYork. Many restricted area will be open free for tours, including schools, restrcited facility that normally not open to public on regular basis. Some populat tours you have to buy online to get on tour.

www.ohny.org

Answer 5

Everything Andre said is true and I would like to add that there's really not much to see. Even some of the most expensive apartments will seem like a closet to you. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun place to live but the apartments are nothing to be excited about. It's really just about the location.

Answer 6

Most residential buildings only allow you inside if you are either a registered guest of a resident of the building, or if you have an appointment to view an apartment that you may be renting.



Other people's homes are NOT a tourist attraction for you.