Quinlan Castle: Difference between revisions
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After becoming the property of [[Birmingham]] in the [[1993]], the future of the structure has remained in doubt due to its deteriorating state. By [[1998]], the structure was added to the ''Places in Peril'' list of the [[Alabama Historical Commission]] and the [[Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation]]. | After becoming the property of [[Birmingham]] in the [[1993]], the future of the structure has remained in doubt due to its deteriorating state. By [[1998]], the structure was added to the ''Places in Peril'' list of the [[Alabama Historical Commission]] and the [[Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation]]. | ||
One of the more significant proposals for the structure came in [[1999]] when the neighboring [[Southern Research Institute]] proposed demolishing the structure to make way for additional parking and a proposed expansion of their facilities. | One of the more significant proposals for the structure came in [[1999]] when the neighboring [[Southern Research Institute]] proposed demolishing the structure to make way for additional parking and a proposed expansion of their facilities. The city refused to sell without an agreement to protect the exterior appearance of the building. | ||
Other than the | Other than the SRI's 1999 proposal, the building has been suggested as an International House for [[UAB]] or as housing for visiting physicians. A trio of failed proposals included renovating it into 48, 30 and then 20 living units. By September [[2006]], Birmingham was ready to consider a number of new proposals: | ||
* A proposal from the [[Southern Research Institute]] to purchase the building for use as a storage facility or as additional office or laboratory space. They may also decide to completely demolish the interior for a central utility plant and preserve the exterior facade as a shell. | |||
* A proposal from the [[Southern Research Institute]] to | |||
* A proposal from the Department of Veterans Affairs would convert the building into short-term housing for families and patients at the [[Birmingham VA Medical Center]]. | * A proposal from the Department of Veterans Affairs would convert the building into short-term housing for families and patients at the [[Birmingham VA Medical Center]]. | ||
* A proposal from [[Urban Development and Management]] would convert the castle into 32 condos and 50 underground parking spaces. | * A proposal from [[Urban Development and Management]] would convert the castle into 32 condos and 50 underground parking spaces. | ||
* A fourth proposal from developer [[Herschell Hamilton]] | * A fourth proposal from developer [[Herschell Hamilton]] has since been withdrawn. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 08:39, 9 October 2006
The Quinlan Castle is a 4-story, castle shaped apartment building built on the northwest corner of 9th Avenue South and Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard South, and completed in 1927. Opening originally as the Royal Arms Apartments, the building was designed by architect William C. Weston.
The building features a light brown stone façade. The roofline is highlighted with both battlements and four separate turrets, with one at each corner. It is divided into two sections connected with a pair of stone archways. The interior has since fallen into a state of disrepair as it has remained vacant since the 1980s, but includes 72 efficiency and one-bedroom apartments.
In 1984 the Quinlan Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
After becoming the property of Birmingham in the 1993, the future of the structure has remained in doubt due to its deteriorating state. By 1998, the structure was added to the Places in Peril list of the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation.
One of the more significant proposals for the structure came in 1999 when the neighboring Southern Research Institute proposed demolishing the structure to make way for additional parking and a proposed expansion of their facilities. The city refused to sell without an agreement to protect the exterior appearance of the building.
Other than the SRI's 1999 proposal, the building has been suggested as an International House for UAB or as housing for visiting physicians. A trio of failed proposals included renovating it into 48, 30 and then 20 living units. By September 2006, Birmingham was ready to consider a number of new proposals:
- A proposal from the Southern Research Institute to purchase the building for use as a storage facility or as additional office or laboratory space. They may also decide to completely demolish the interior for a central utility plant and preserve the exterior facade as a shell.
- A proposal from the Department of Veterans Affairs would convert the building into short-term housing for families and patients at the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
- A proposal from Urban Development and Management would convert the castle into 32 condos and 50 underground parking spaces.
- A fourth proposal from developer Herschell Hamilton has since been withdrawn.
References
- Coman, Victoria L.(October 7, 2006) "City looks at Quinlan Castle future." Birmingham News.
- Coman, Victoria L.(October 3, 2006) "4 plans to redevelop castle reach city." Birmingham News.
- Estes, Cary (September 29, 2006) "City's castle may soon find its knight." Birmingham Business Journal. [1]
- Birmingham Business Journal (July 20, 1999) "Keep Quinlan Castle." Birmingham Business Journal. [2]
External links
- Quinlan Castle on Emporis.com
- Quinlan Castle on Castles of the United States