Historic J. W. Walker Building Reopens
Jan. 2, 2002
The historic J.W. Walker Building has reopened to the public. The building, located at 30 N. Third Ave. in front of the Phoenix Municipal Court Building in downtown Phoenix, is the home of the new Walker's Café.
The Walker Building was constructed by developer J.W. Walker in 1927. It was the original home to the J.C. Penney department store and was also occupied by the Central Arizona Light & Power Company, a furniture company and a labor union. The city of Phoenix purchased the building in 1959 and used it for office space until early 1994.
The Building was rehabilitated as part of the development of the Phoenix Municipal Courthouse.
"Design and construction of a new 375,000-square-foot building for the city's Municipal Court, while renovating a smaller historic building on the same site presented a unique opportunity," said Assistant City Manager Sheryl Sculley. "The collaboration of a number of city departments and the Historic Preservation Commission resulted in something that exceeded all expectations. Downtown Phoenix is now the home of a site that preserves one of the city's oldest and most unique buildings in combination with a new municipal building that complements much of the newer architecture in Copper Square."
Through two separate phases of renovation, the building's façade, structure and interior were significantly improved. In May 1996, the south side walls of the building's first floor were opened to make a wider passageway for pedestrians. In addition, the Walker Building's basement was filled and sheer wall supports were added. A courtyard also was constructed between the Walker Building and the Municipal Court Building. The second phase of renovation, which began in July 2000, brought the building up to current city code, while allowing for future tenants.
Walker's Café, located on the first floor, opened in early December with a breakfast that raised $2,000 for the Greater Phoenix Youth-At-Risk Organization. The café is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, The American Institute of Architects, the second floor tenant of the two-story building, is scheduled to move into the building in mid-2002.
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