Photo by Peter Aaron of the 2010 window installation. Photo courtesy of the Museum at Eldridge Street

Calling all urban explorers: this week with have two unique Untapped Cities’ tours, including the return of our Secrets of the Eldridge Street Synagogue After Hours Tour and our new tour of the Brooklyn Strand Community Vision. Join us for the events!

Secrets of the Eldridge Street Synagogue After Hours Tour: Thursday, October 26th at 7pm

eldridge-street-synagogue-museum-at-eldridge-street-tour-lower-east-side-chinatown-nyc_15-001Constructed in 1887, the majestic Eldridge Street Synagogue has been a staple institution in the Lower East Side for 130 years. At Untapped Cities, we’ve learned that any New York City landmark that has been around for over a decade is bound to be filled with plenty of secrets. For example, did you know that the cluster fixtures of the Synagogue’s chandelier are actually upside down? And that no one knows what the original eastern stained glass rose window looked like? In celebration of the Synagogue’s 130th birthday this fall, join us on our after-hours tour of the building on Thursday, October 26th, held in partnership with the Museum at Eldridge Street. Learn about the history of this beloved National Historic Landmark, see its stunning architecture, discover its hidden gems and take part in a beer, wine and nosh reception, featuring knishes from Yonah Schimmels, pickles from the Pickle Guys and baked goods, including rugelach and black and white cookies

Secrets of the Eldridge Street Synagogue After Hours Tour

Tour the Brooklyn Strand Community Vision that Seeks to Reimagine NYC’s Downtown Brooklyn: Saturday, October 28th at 11am

In an effort to further the successful growth of Downtown Brooklyn, a coalition of more than 40 local Brooklyn stakeholder groups have announced their community vision to reimagine the 50 acres of city-owned land between Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard known as the Brooklyn Strand. In anticipation of the project, we’re excited to host a walking tour of the Brooklyn Strand on Saturday, October 28th in partnership with WXY Architecture + Urban Design, which led an intensive planning process that resulted in 50 site walkthroughs, numerous meetings and several public workshops to create this vision.  You will have the opportunity to track these wonderful and much-needed proposed changes and see the future of an already thriving Downtown Brooklyn.

Walking Tour of the Brooklyn Strand

See our full list of Behind the Scenes tours.