Six Upper West Side buildings are open for viewing during Open House New York!
Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16
Open House New York is this weekend and the Upper West Side is offering up a handful of beauties to be explored.
LW! helped organize three of the six Open Access sites, which will be available to the public on Saturday and/or Sunday, with docents leading free tours through the weekend.
View the full OHNY online catalog of sites here and start planning your route! While you’re in the neighborhood, check out LANDMARK WEST!’s Wish List sites–unprotected landmark designation priorities that are a focus of our advocacy efforts. We’ve noted the nearest Wish List site to each building below.
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These six UWS sites are Open Access and can be visited without reservations Saturday and/or Sunday.
All are free and open to the public:
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church: 225 W. 99th Street
Saturday, 10/15: 12pm-4pm & Sunday, 10/16: 1pm-4pm; Sanctuary tours both days at 2pm and 3pm.
Come see the Upper West Side’s newest official NYC Individual Landmark! One of the most beautiful and important church designs in New York City, St. Michael’s features a bold rock-faced white limestone façade, Italian-inspired soaring tower, and dazzling interior with stained glass and mosaics by Tiffany.
Nearest Wish List site: IRT Electrical Substation, 264-66 W. 96th Street
West-Park Presbyterian Church: 165 W. 86th Street
Saturday, 10/15: 10am-6pm & Sunday, 10/16: 2pm-6pm.
A NYC Individual Landmark, this may be the only example of a Richardsonian Revival-style church to survive in Manhattan. Guided tours will explore the church’s architectural, religious, and social history, from the time architect Leopold Eidlitz’s original chapel was built in 1884, through to present-day preservation efforts.
Nearest Wish List site: Ballet Hispanico, 167-171 W. 89th Street
First Church of Christ, Scientist: 77 Central Park West
Saturday, 10/15: 10am-5pm & Sunday, 10/16: 1pm-5pm. Tours throughout both days. Organ concerts Sat. at 1pm & 2pm and Sun. 2pm & 3pm.
Discover this Beaux-Arts church and its white marble and granite facade, copper dome, grand entrance doors, and glorious interior. Once slated for demolition and replacement by a residential high-rise, First Church sparked a grassroots movement, led by LANDMARK WEST!, to create the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.
Nearest Wish List site: Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, 122 Amsterdam Avenue
Beacon Theater: 2124 Broadway
Sunday, 10/16: 10am-4pm.
Once you enter the doors of this ornate, landmarked theater, you will be surrounded by a unique mix of Greek, Roman, Spanish, Rococo, Moorish, Byzantine and Renaissance styles. Visit and be transported back in time! The Rotunda, Loge, and Balcony will be open to tour, and the Orchestra area will be open for ADA guests.
Nearest Wish List site: Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Plaza
Congregation Ohab Zedek: 118 W. 95th Street
Sunday, 10/16: 10am-2pm. Tour at 10am.
The Congregation is one of the oldest synagogues in New York and is a hub of modern orthodox spiritual life in Manhattan. The soaring sanctuary features beautiful details, including an elaborate dome of stained glass high overhead.
Nearest Wish List site: 93rd/94th/95th Streets Study Area, Central Park West to Amsterdam Avenue
St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church: 263 W. 86th Street
Saturday & Sunday, 10/15-16: 1:30pm-4:30pm.
Tours ongoing both days, every 30 mins. Talks with Boling Studio ongoing throughout. Saturday only: New York Jazz Academy concert at 2:15pm.
The main interior sanctuary of this towering church features a second story semicircular balcony under an arched roof that appears to be held up by four larger than-life marble angels. A series of clerestory windows on both the north and south sides of the building flood the upper levels with natural light.
Nearest Wish List site: Astor Court, 205 W. 89th Street
Enjoy! We’ll see you on the Upper West Side!