Join New York Adventure Club for a behind-the-scenes tour of Westbeth Artists’ Housing, the world’s largest artist live-work community. Westbeth was formerly part of a complex of buildings for Bell Laboratories built between 1864 and 1934, widely known as one of the most important research centers of the 20th century. It conversion to artists’ housing was overseen by a young Richard Meier between 1968 and 1970.

Led by a resident and staff member of the Westbeth Artists Residents Council, the tour’s exploration of 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

The tour will conclude on the private roof deck with sweeping views of the city and Hudson River.

Saturday, May 3, 1:00 – 2:15 pm
Westbeth Artists Housing (Bank Street Courtyard)
155 Bank St
New York, NY
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