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Bronx Art Deco Walking Tour Returns With Part II in Mosholu
- Damian Ali
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Updated: 6d
Archived Event: This event took place on Saturday, October 11, 2025. This article remains available as part of TalkTeaV’s Bronx Moments archive.
Apartments at 3155 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, designed by Jacob M. Felson in 1936, featuring a Classic Bronx Deco forecourt: Photo by Doctor Casino/flickr.com- Learn more about this building at BADAHA
From The Great Gatsby and The Rocketeer to 1992's Batman: The Animated Series, Art Deco has long defined the look of worlds that mix glamour with grit. Its geometric shapes, bold details, and dramatic shadows give even fictional cities like Gotham a timeless, monumental feel. Here in The Bronx, though, Art Deco isn't just a backdrop on a screen; it’s part of the streetscape.
On Saturday, October 11, the Bronx County Historical Society (BCHS) and the Bronx Art Deco Apartment House Archive (BADAHA) will host Art Deco Beyond the Grand Concourse, Part II. The free 90-minute walking tour begins at 11 a.m. at 50 West Gun Hill Road and will spotlight Mosholu's overlooked Deco apartment buildings. No registration is required.
The first installment of the walking tour, held in June, drew a passionate crowd and plenty of conversation online. One attendee shared on Reddit, "It was great to meet other Deco enthusiasts, ranging from former neighborhood residents to full blown obscure Deco enthusiasts like myself. Many people showed up even though there was risk of rain!"
That turnout underscored how much Bronxites and visitors alike value the borough's architectural legacy. It also showed the urgency of protecting details that are at risk. The same Reddit user pointed to a building where "the dramatic polychrome parapet was removed a few years back and replaced with a blank rectangle," calling it a loss to the facade's visual interest.
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BCHS and BADAHA's John Howard invite you to explore Art Deco buildings across The Bronx, with details that echo the elegance of Poirot’s on-screen world. Step into Poirot's World on This Bronx Art Deco Walking Tour
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Part II shifts the focus north, where Mosholu's apartment houses tell a story rooted in the years 1929 to 1941. According to BADAHA, that period included the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression, and the lead-up to World War II—an era that might not seem like fertile ground for optimistic design. Yet the borough's Art Deco apartments became, in their words, "the built expression for the aspirations of the burgeoning lower middle class in New York at that time."
The tour will highlight both well-preserved treasures and buildings in need of renewed recognition. Many appear on BADAHA's "Should Be Landmarked" list, a reminder that even everyday apartment houses carry artistic and historic value worth fighting for.
Actor Stephen Graham stands in the center of a crowd of paparazzi on the set of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, during filming of the final episode at the Bronx Supreme Court on August 8, 2014. Photo by Michael Schwartz for the New York Daily News.
It's not only historians who recognize the Bronx's architectural significance. In 2014, during production of the final season of Boardwalk Empire, the Bronx County Courthouse doubled as 1930s Chicago in Al Capone's tax evasion trial scenes. Its imposing "neoclassical" design underscored how the borough's architecture continues to lend authenticity and atmosphere to stories set in the past.
Bronx locals take photos of vintage cars after filming ended in The Bronx. Used during Boardwalk Empire final season of filming in 2014, along with a ticket found, dated August 8, 2014, marking the event. Image courtesy of a Bronx resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Founded by architectural historian John Howard, BADAHA has expanded its mission with a newly updated website. While the archive began by cataloging Bronx apartment houses, it now spans Art Deco across fields as wide-ranging as architecture, sculpture, jewelry, graphics, automobiles, and fashion.
As the site explains, "Bronx Art Deco Apartment House Archive has been compiled to bring greater attention to these wonderful buildings and their gifted architects, with the ultimate aim of expanding the scope of official recognition and protection that presently exists for them."
The organization also credited the Bronx County Historical Society for its support: "Building on the success of this Walking Tour, it is hoped to schedule another in the Fall. We value BCHS for its encouragement of BADAHA and look forward to working with them to promote the aims of the website."
The continued interest in these tours reflects a broader Art Deco revival in New York City, seen in new constructions that borrow from the style. (See the Neo-Deco look of 180 East 88th Street, designed by Joe McMillan's DDG) But unlike glassy towers that recreate Deco's lines, the Bronx’s originals carry history, aspiration, and craftsmanship born of their time.
For Bronxites, the tours offer a chance to see their neighborhoods with new eyes. For design enthusiasts, they’re an opportunity to connect with others who share the same passion and to learn why protecting even small details, from parapets to lobbies, makes a difference.
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In 1976, Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton fought their third and final match at Yankee Stadium. It was a controversial fight and the last boxing match held at the old ballpark, set against The Bronx's turmoil and pop culture highs.
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Flyer for Bronx Art Deco Beyond the Grand Concourse Walking Tour Part II: Image courtesy of The Bronx County Historical Society.
Walking Tour Details
Art Deco Beyond the Grand Concourse Walking Tour, Part II
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. (approx. 90 minutes)
Meeting point: 50 West Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10468
Free and open to the public, no registration required
Follow:
BADAHA Instagram at @BronxArtDeco
More About BADAHA at badaha.org
BCHS Instagram at @bronxhistorian
BCHS YouTube at @bronxhistorian
BCHS Upcoming Events
Are there any Art Deco buildings in your neighborhood? Visit BADAHA’s website and browse the growing archive of photos, maps, and preservation resources.
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