Walker's 28,000 square foot property was designed and completed 100 years ago by Vertner Tandy, the first licensed Black architect in New York State and a founder of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. She was the first person of color to own property in Irvington. During the time it was built, Villa Lewaro was located on "Millionaire's Row" and in an area that was also home to the Astors and Rockefellers.