Often overlooked, doors are perhaps the most important feature of a building. They are the means by which we escape the often crowded and chaotic streets of the city. Every building has one (well, maybe except for the Raymond Street Jail which was accidentally constructed in 1836 sans front door), but some outfit this largely utilitarian feature with more panache than others. This collection highlights some the city's loveliest historic doorways, from the simple but classic columns of early 19th century Federal rowhouses to the gloriously geometric brickwork of Art Deco apartment houses, and everything in-between.

Entrance to 275 Madison Avenue, ca. 1990.

Richard Thibaut Wallpapers, 1922. Established in 1886, Thibaut is America’s oldest continuously operating wallpaper firm. The two-story showroom building was completed circa 1921 to the designs of Trowbridge & Livingston, replacing two older homes. It is unknown how long the wallpaper firm occupied the low rise building, but in 1927 the facade of this building was retained when the structure had a massive addition constructed. The design of the resulting 22-story office building was created by the firm of Albert Buchman and Ely Jacques Kahn for the National Bank of Commerce.