The History of Pomander Walk
Among the high-rise buildings and skyscrapers forged with steel, there lies a quaint, enchanting place that is a world of its own: Pomander Walk. Take a stroll down 94th street, past the brick and mortar buildings New Yorkers call home, past the crowd of unfamiliar faces that might as well be clouded in mist, and look up...no, not at the colossal, steel giants...there, you see? It’s a sign hanging with gold letters against a black background that reads “Pomander Walk” stylized in fancy curves. And just below that sign is the gateway to a tiny slice of paradise.
Up the steps, you enter and wonder if you’ve gone through a portal to another century, a distant past, another lifetime. In the intersection of the Pomander courtyard, there is a lamp post surrounded on both sides by cobblestone houses that look like they came out of a Brothers Grimm tale. Flora and fauna decorate and line the path of the homes. One might imagine that fairies play hide and seek amongst the bright, colorful flowers that appear as if they’ve been airbrushed with a plethora of paints. One might imagine that this is the place where Hansel and Gretel baked a witch in the oven or maybe the place where noblemen and ladies dined and gossiped in a time where kings and queens ruled. Maybe, somewhere Red Riding Hood is bringing a basket of flowers to her grandmother and the Wolf not too far behind.
And just on the other side of Pomander Walk, beyond the courtyard, there is another gate, another lock, another portal. This gate, this paradise in the midst of the concrete jungle, perhaps is not a paradise at all. What dark secrets, what mystery lies behind the Pomander gates? A gate to heaven or a gate to hell? A gate to peace or a gate to betrayal? A rose wrapped in thorns? Gates to another world? Gates to a future unforetold? Or Pandora’s box?
THE HISTORY
Pomander Walk, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan between Broadway and West End Avenue, is an official New York City landmark. The apartment complex is located between 94th street and 95th street with 27 buildings in total. The place was named after the 1910 romantic comedy Pomander Walk written by Louis N. Parker.
One could describe this place as a slice of paradise in the concrete jungle. Unlike the steel-encumbered high-rise buildings that encompass the New York City landscape, Pomander Walk is described as Tudoresque. The houses resemble the characteristics of Storybook Houses.
Tudoresque refers to the Tudor Period (between 1463 and 1603) during which the Tudor Dynasty reigned. The most notable being the reign of King Henry VIII.
The complex was built in 1921 by Thomas J. Healy—the owner of restaurants, catering establishments, and Pomander Walk. Healy bought the estate with plans to build a hotel but did not have the necessary funds to do so. Pomander Walk was built as a temporary means of financial support until Healy had the funds for his hotel. However, Healy died before his dream could be fulfilled and Pomander Walk remained.
The complex was designed by King and Campbell—a New York architecture firm. The estate faced complications when it deteriorated into a state of decay and in jeopardy of being demolished. Fortunately, the historic location was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1982. In 2009, the complex was renovated into the awe-inspiring beauty we see today.
Legacy
Pomander Walk remains a site to behold. It is truly a piece of history that can be treasured forever. While the location is private and not open to the public, we can still appreciate the enigmatic and curious thoughts it inspires in one’s imagination.
