West of 7th Avenue,
Leroy Street bends and its name changes to St. Luke's Place. The
atmosphere changes, as one leaves a modest working-class district to enter
an area once inhabited by upwardly mobile working- and middle-class Irish
immigrants. Originally the northernmost boundary of Trinity Church's
estate, this block is graced by brick and brownstone Greek and Renaissance
Revival row houses. This building once served as the residence of the
Mayor of New York (including James Walker) and it was marked by a pair of
lanterns to symbolize the political importance of its residents. The house
has the arched entry and pediment-topped windows that are characteristic
of mid-century Renaissance Revival row houses. Respected as a fair and
effective mayor during his first term, Walker was forced to resign in
disgrace in 1932 due to a scandal that plagued his second term.