Though London is known for its many famous and bustling streets–some of the most popular being Oxford Street and Regent Street–some of its more lowkey and dreamy roads are situated in small historic areas such as mews streets and alleyways, serving as remnants of a time when horses and carriages were the primary mode of transportation. And while NYC has a few historic and cobblestone streets of its own, there’s one in particular that makes us feel as if we’ve hopped on a flight to go hangout with our friends across the pond–Pomander Walk.
Pomander Walk is actually more than just one road, though–it’s a charming micro-neighborhood tucked away on NYC’s Upper West Side. Though the road was built in 1921 you may not even know it exists due to it being concealed behind a black gate on 95th Street, midway between Broadway and West End Avenue. But if you’re lucky enough to be invited in through the gate and climb a staircase you’ll arrive at NYC’s most unexpected byway.
The road is lined on either side with Tudor homes, their designs alternating between stucco, brick, and half-timber. It was named after the London play, Pomander Walk by English playwright Louis Napoleon Parker, though being the play is set in “a retired crescent of five very small, old-fashioned houses near Chiswick” the piece likely inspired more than just the name.
The unique history of how Pomander Walk came to be…
In 1921, Irish immigrant and nightclub impresario Thomas J. Healy bought a large portion of the block. Hoping to eventually build a large hotel on the land, Healy built the enclave, originally referred to as a “colony,” as a temporary means of income while raising the money to do so.
Unfortunately, Healy died in 1927 before his vision could come to fruition, though Pomander Walk remained untouched. At that time, each building in the complex housed three flats, each one occupying its own floor.
At one point we almost lost Pomander Walk as it became rundown and was almost purchased by developers, though thankfully it was saved in 1982 by being designated a New York City landmark. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Landmarks Preservation Commission report writes:
[Pomander Walk] is a prototypically “American” tale combining a pragmatic entrepreneurial spirit with an unabashed romanticism.
What became of Pomander Walk
Today, the private, gated community perfectly resembles an English village, serving as a stark contrast to the area’s surrounding skyscrapers. Each Tudor home features beautifully maintained facades with lush, flowering gardens and window boxes on each, effortlessly adding to the area’s otherworldly charm.
While the 27 three-story buildings remain in residential use, many have been reconfigured to create single family townhomes. Some of the buildings can be found on 94th and 95th Streets, but most are located within the courtyard that connects the two blocks.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission report writes:
Pomander Walk has a unique sense of place; secluded from the street, the walk is a delightful world of picturesque dwellings replete with half timbering, gables, and other vernacular Tudoresque embellishments.
It’s important to note that Pomander Walk is accessible only to residents, so unless you’re lucky enough to know someone who lives there, you’ll only be able to catch a glimpse of the quaint street through the gates on 94th and 95th Streets.
But next time you’re in the neighborhood it’s worth stopping by to take a peek at what the Landmarks Preservation Commission refers to as a “magical atmosphere,” we promise you’ll be transported back in time.