How NYC’s Wall Street Architecture Reflects the Power of Finance | Architectural Digest

Today AD returns to New York City for a deep-dive walking tour of Wall Street in Downtown Manhattan with architect Nicholas Potts. From the origins of the New York Stock Exchange and its majestic columns to the many architectural styles on display within just a few city blocks, come along as Nick breaks down everything worth seeing when visiting Wall Street and New York's financial district.

Check out Nicholas Potts here:

Talent: Nick Potts

Director: Hiatt Woods
Director of Photography: Kevin Dynia
Audio: Gabe Quiroga
Producer: Skylar Economy
Associate Producer: Brandon Fuhr
Production Assistant: Patrick Sargent, Louis Coccia

Editor: Tristen Rogers
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant

Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Production Manager: Melissa Heber
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila


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[eduardvandijk]

I have said it before and I will say it again:
MORE OF THIS.

Less millionaire houses.

[benjaminniemczyk]

This video is too short! Fancy that?!?! Downtown--way downtown--is the most amazing, richest (artistically-speaking) part of NYC. One could go on and on about its grandeur, its power, its importance in American history. The buildings, both old and new, are some of the most iconic in the country. No other city in the US has such a dense gathering of styles. After working downtown for decades, I am still in awe of it, every day. Great video!

[Familylawgroup]

Hey AD, I love this video and I really like how you referenced many drawings and artwork conveying information about historic trading, etc. this video was well scripted and well edited. Great job!

[TheAristocrat.]

Have you ever thought of doing an international version of Architect Explores? I think It would be a cool world wide series to do.

[jaspermolenaar]

Great video, I visited the area last summer from Europe, fascinating to see the historical development in architecture on such a small area with an insane density

[maurobrunosolavergara]

Yay! Another Walking Tour With Nick Potts No less
Your channel should be like 95 % these types of videos and 5% Luxury apartments

[dnxls_]

Especially like his candour regarding “privately owned” “public plazas”

[Md]

I love this series. Thanks for keeping it going.

[denissamoylov]

This is truly lovely. One of the best series AD has ever run. Please keep it up!

[hellothere]

Very knowledgeable and great history information, thanks

[the_resourceful]

Great tour! Very informative and fascinating.

[OreoTime]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing all those fascinating information. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[figlexgonzalez]

I’m super impressed by how much history he knows. Amazing!! 👏🏻👏🏻

That is one way to show everyone how much you love your profession.

[moonwalker]

This was such a great educational video on these beautiful pieces of engineering and architectural design and history. They are all so masterfully crafted. My favourite is stil the Empire State Building but all of these are truly stunning and I look forward to one day going to this beautiful city and doing nothing but looking up :o). Thank you so much for the tour. So enjoyable.

[OMirantedoValeNaoTemMetros]

I loved the video, beautifully done. I have to disagree about the Equitable Building importance to the 1916 Zoning Resolution though. The Equitable Building was just the last building to be built that represented what people wanted to get rid of, but it definitely wasn't the cause of the big changes that happened. Talkings about the problem of such huge buildings were taking place since the 1890s (at the same time that Chicago banned buildings above 150 feet and got those bulky ones). In New York City's almost freestyle laws the conversations about the regulation of tall buildings started to get some real importance only when the real estate industry was suffering the consequences of the 1907 panic and the following record construction of new buildings in 1909, showing a steady decline in 1911 that made part of the industry finally ask for regulations. In 1913 the city was already writing the ordinance and in 1915, when the Equitable Building got finished, the support for the resolution was already solid. In short, it was all about the real estate industry managing to control the dropping values.

[WifeWantsAWizard]

(10:45) "A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one." - Alexander Hamilton

[EdDunkle]

Great tour! I had no idea that Trinity Church owns $6 billion of real estate (and is exempt from taxes.)

[dpgranger]

I live on Wall St and absolutely love walking around this neighborhood and exploring its architectural heritage. New Yorkers don't want to hear this but FiDi is the coolest neighborhood in the city 😂

[sfowler]

More, more, more of these types of videos!! Loved this.

[Familylawgroup]

I have a potential silly question. I love how he pointed out the images on Wall Street’s pediments. Who usually designs the pediments aesthetics? Is that part of an architect’s purview or is it a designer who works with the sculptors? I have seen videos of some architects who appear to call for specific design elements, even furniture. Where is the transition between plans and final design choices?