What do you think?
Rate this book
AIA Guide to New York City: The Classic Guide to New York's Architecture
Since the AIA Guide to New York City was first published in 1967, it has been recognized as the ultimate guide to the metropolis's buildings, in all five boroughs -- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island -- from nineteenth-century brownstones and tenements to modern high-rise apartments and museums. The latest edition of this urban classic takes a fresh look at the architectural treasures that define New York -- from its most characteristic landmarks to its less famous local favorites.
To prepare this edition -- the first revision since 1987 -- Norval White has visited and revisited more than 5,000 buildings, making this by far the most complete guide of its kind. This generously illustrated handbook presents the structures of the New York City--from the magnificent to the obscure -- in over 3,000 new photographs, more than 130 new maps, and hundreds of revised and new entries. Beyond the skyscrapers and historical buildings, the guide also leads the way to the city's bridges, parks, and public monuments.
From the tip of the Empire State Building to the brownstones in Brooklyn, the AIA Guide to New York City reveals how the city's spirit, fortitude, and character are captured and expressed in its architecture. Thoughtful and humorous descriptions include fascinating bits of local information that bring the city's history to life, telling the stories behind the bricks and mortar. Together, the maps, photographs, and expert critiques invite you on a special grand tour of the city at your own pace.
This guide is a definitive record of New York's architectural heritage and provides a compact, authoritative directory for lovers of New York City all over the world. Its portability and encyclopedic quality make it an ideal traveling companion for any walker in the city. For the sightseer, the architect, or anyone on a casual stroll, the AIA Guide to New York City is the book to grab on your way out the door.
To prepare this edition -- the first revision since 1987 -- Norval White has visited and revisited more than 5,000 buildings, making this by far the most complete guide of its kind. This generously illustrated handbook presents the structures of the New York City--from the magnificent to the obscure -- in over 3,000 new photographs, more than 130 new maps, and hundreds of revised and new entries. Beyond the skyscrapers and historical buildings, the guide also leads the way to the city's bridges, parks, and public monuments.
From the tip of the Empire State Building to the brownstones in Brooklyn, the AIA Guide to New York City reveals how the city's spirit, fortitude, and character are captured and expressed in its architecture. Thoughtful and humorous descriptions include fascinating bits of local information that bring the city's history to life, telling the stories behind the bricks and mortar. Together, the maps, photographs, and expert critiques invite you on a special grand tour of the city at your own pace.
This guide is a definitive record of New York's architectural heritage and provides a compact, authoritative directory for lovers of New York City all over the world. Its portability and encyclopedic quality make it an ideal traveling companion for any walker in the city. For the sightseer, the architect, or anyone on a casual stroll, the AIA Guide to New York City is the book to grab on your way out the door.
1088 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
48 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Norval White
9 books1 followerNorval Crawford White was an American architect, architectural historian and professor. He designed buildings throughout the U.S., but he is best known for his writing, particularly the AIA Guide to New York City (with Elliot Willensky). White was widely considered to be one of the great figures of New York architecture.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 4, 2007
This covers the whole city; go right for the parts you're interested in.
Soon you'll be saying, "Actually, Zed, Heather makes a good case for this building being Romanesque Revival. Now kiss and make up!"
Soon you'll be saying, "Actually, Zed, Heather makes a good case for this building being Romanesque Revival. Now kiss and make up!"
May 29, 2009
Is the greatest thing. Seriously the book is life-affirming. I need to get their Chicago guide. I mean, i know, architecture, whatever, hitler's hobby was architecture, but this shit is ENTERTAINING. and there are some BUILDINGS in NYC that i needed to know about.
May 20, 2015
American Institute of Architects, I expected better from you! Small black and white photos, mostly close-ups of windows and doors, don't do justice to NYC's architecture and boroughs. Here's hoping for an improved Sixth Edition.
April 17, 2022
To be completely honest, I'm not completely finished ... but my trip to NYC is over, so I won't be reading any more until my next vacation. I'll assume the sections on Staten Island or Kips Bay were as interesting as the sections on Chelsea or Riverside Drive.
First, some quick minuses: it's a tricky book to manage as a Kindle read, it's difficult to navigate back to maps (so you mostly just ignore them and follow addresses as best you can), and the order of neighbourhoods was maddening: almost always south to north, so you might finish one tour, and then have to walk 20 blocks back to begin the next, rather than laying it out so one could simply begin, and just keep going (which is totally doable).
On the plus side, it's pretty exhaustive. I got an awful lot of steps in, and whenever I was just wandering and decided to start a tour, I had but to look around me, pick a likely building, and, oh yes, there it is in the book, voila. I ended up visiting streets I'd never seen before (I don't live in New York, but I normally go twice a year for a week or so at a time, so I know it fairly well), seeing buildings I'd never seen (or noticed) before, and had really the thrilling experience of visiting someplace brand new ... even though I've spent almost a full year there, when you add it all up. Fresh eyes, and all that.
It's from 2010 and could use an update again already (there seems to be a current mini-building boom, or maybe not so mini, though I supposed not when compared to the 19th century!), but aside from the new Billionaire's Row or the most recent High Line adjacent additions, it covered everything I'd want to know about.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
First, some quick minuses: it's a tricky book to manage as a Kindle read, it's difficult to navigate back to maps (so you mostly just ignore them and follow addresses as best you can), and the order of neighbourhoods was maddening: almost always south to north, so you might finish one tour, and then have to walk 20 blocks back to begin the next, rather than laying it out so one could simply begin, and just keep going (which is totally doable).
On the plus side, it's pretty exhaustive. I got an awful lot of steps in, and whenever I was just wandering and decided to start a tour, I had but to look around me, pick a likely building, and, oh yes, there it is in the book, voila. I ended up visiting streets I'd never seen before (I don't live in New York, but I normally go twice a year for a week or so at a time, so I know it fairly well), seeing buildings I'd never seen (or noticed) before, and had really the thrilling experience of visiting someplace brand new ... even though I've spent almost a full year there, when you add it all up. Fresh eyes, and all that.
It's from 2010 and could use an update again already (there seems to be a current mini-building boom, or maybe not so mini, though I supposed not when compared to the 19th century!), but aside from the new Billionaire's Row or the most recent High Line adjacent additions, it covered everything I'd want to know about.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
January 3, 2021
An indispensable guide to New York. Witty, well written, intensively researched, this is a pleasure browse through, or to use to look up a specific neighborhood or site. Alas, it weighs in at a hefty four pounds, so you can't carry it with you on walks. Here's hoping they get it online sometime soon!
May 19, 2018
I’m never going to read this cover to cover. But the info provided is detailed and thorough! Good reference piece to add to my bookshelf.
August 5, 2018
Definitive.
August 12, 2021
1988 Edition. Not so much as currently-reading as currently taking out for walks.
April 10, 2012
If you've got the time- then this is a great book to read through and learn about all the different architectural buildings in the city.
April 24, 2015
Best book ever for NYC buildings!
November 29, 2007
This book is good if you like new york city or architecture or beautiful data artfully presented.
Read
February 21, 2010AIA Guide to New York City by Norval White (2000)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews