Building Tours

Did you know that technological breakthroughs including the first talking picture, TV broadcast, and binary computer all originated inside one building in Greenwich Village? Now’s your chance to see remnants of that historic research center, while getting introduced to its current tenants that comprise NYC’s largest artist community.

Join New York Adventure Club for a behind-the-scenes tour of Westbeth Artists’ Housing, the world’s largest artist live-work community that’s located in the former Bell Laboratories complex, widely known as one of the world’s most important research centers in the 20th century.

Led by a resident and staff member of the Westbeth Artists Residents Council, our special exploration through this massive facility will include:

A brief overview of the history of Bell Laboratories, which was responsible for many technological breakthroughs including the first talking movie, the condenser microphone, the first TV broadcast, and the first binary computer was demonstrated
The story of when the laboratory closed and underwent a massive restoration & renovation project to become one of the first industrial buildings adaptively reused for artistic and residential use in the United States
An overview of the Westbeth artist community, and its famous former and current residents including actor Vin Diesel, photographer Diane Arbus, and puppet maker Ralph Lee
A walkthrough of the historic lobby, atrium, and hallways
An exclusive meet & greet with an artist inside their private art studio and residence

Our experience will conclude on the private roof deck with sweeping views of the city and Hudson River!

See you there!