Walker Building, Chelsea (Thursday Doors)

ornaments, setbacks, elegant facade—
hard not to be awed—sky intersects

no trace of modesty—metal glistens–
doors envisioned as geometry

The Walker Tower is a mixed use building with Verizon offices and luxury condominiums stretching between 17th and 18th streets in Chelsea. Named for its architect, Ralph Thomas Walker, when it was converted to condos in 2012, it was originally constructed as a commercial communications building in 1930.

I could not get even close to a good view of the whole building from the street, but above is a rendering from the real estate listings website. A two-bedroom is available for only $9 million. I have to admit it has very nice views.

Here’s the 17th street door on the back side of the building. I think this is the Verizon entrance–the condo owners use the fancier door on 18th street.

Walker was a well-known architect in his day who designed many deco skyscrapers in the New York City area, beginning with the New York Telephone headquarters in lower Manhattan. He also designed the Salvation Army headquarters on 14th Street, a building I’m familiar with from when I lived downtown. It also has a huge and elaborate entrance.

Untapped New York has a write up on a number of Walker’s buildings, with some interior photos, including the Walker building, here.

Jane Dougherty recently posted a toddaid poem, which I decided to try for myself. I’m not quite sure I got the interior rhymes in the right places, but I enjoyed the puzzle of constructing them.

And you can always find more doors at Thursday Doors, hosted by Dan Antion.