In July 1916, New York became the first American city to adopt a radical zoning resolution to control the height, bulk, and use of its buildings, an act so unprecedented that its authors were not even sure it was legal. In the century since, zoning has become the city’s most potent instrument for shaping its future. Open House New York and the Museum of the City of New York invite you to celebrate the centennial anniversary of New York City’s zoning resolution with a citywide scavenger hunt to uncover how the invisible forces of zoning have shaped the city around us, from the dramatic setbacks of Jazz Age skyscrapers to the vast open plazas of mid-century Modernism.

How it Works:

Players must register in advance, as space is limited, and may play solo or in teams of up to 6 people. One person will register for your team and will be asked to submit a team name and the names of team members.

Each team will also be required to designate one Instagram account from which they will submit photos during the course of the scavenger hunt. Only photos submitted via this account will be counted toward your team’s total.

The person who registers your team will receive a follow-up email prompting them to send in any key info not provided on the registration form. If you don’t know your team name, all of the team members, or your preferred Instagram account when completing your registration, that info can be sent later, but must be confirmed prior to the event.

On July 9, check in at Open House New York (1133 Broadway, Suite 802) between 10 AM and 12 PM to receive clue pamphlets and Zoning New York Scavenger Hunt t-shirts, which will need to worn in each photo submitted in order to earn points.

From 10 AM – 5 PM, decipher clues and race across the city posting photos of you and your team in front of the key zoning sites hinted at in more than sixty clues.

At the end of the day, join us for a closing reception from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue between 104th and 103rd Street) where drinks and snacks will be served, winners announced, and prizes awarded!

The Zoning New York Scavenger hunt is co-presented with Open House New York and the Museum of the City of New York in anticipation of a major exhibition celebrating the centennial of New York City’s zoning resolution, Mastering the Metropolis: New York and Zoning, 1916-2016, opening at the Museum of the City of New York on November 9, 2016.

Tickets to this event are non-refundable. Should you or any of the members of your team be unable to attend, the full price of unused tickets may be treated as a fully tax-deductible contribution to Open House New York and the Museum of the City of New York.