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[[Image:Paramount Candies.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Paramount Candies and Parisian in the Roden Block in a 1941 ''Birmingham News'' photo]]
[[Image:Roden Block 1890s.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The Roden Block in the 1890s]]
[[Image:Paramount Candies.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Paramount Candies and Parisian in the Roden Block in a 1941 ''Birmingham News'' photo]]
The '''Roden Block''', also called the '''Roden Building''' or, now, the '''Ingram Building''' is a commercial structure developed by [[Benjamin Roden]] before [[1884]] at the northwest corner of [[2nd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North]].
The '''Roden Block''', also called the '''Roden Building''' or, now, the '''Ingram Building''' is a commercial structure developed by [[Benjamin Roden]] before [[1884]] at the northwest corner of [[2nd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North]].


The three-story commercial block was designed by [[Charles Wheelock]] and constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with offices above and sleeping rooms on the top floor.
The richly-ornamented three-story commercial block with its heavy cornice and corner pediments was designed by architect [[Charles Wheelock]].  The building was constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. The 2nd Avenue facade was the building's apparent "front", with blank walls facing 20th Street. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with a corner entrance. Offices were located on the second floor and sleeping rooms on the top.


According to an [[1887]] business directory, the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] held their meetings in the Roden Building.
According to an [[1887]] business directory, the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] held their meetings in the Roden Building.

Revision as of 19:45, 25 March 2014

The Roden Block in the 1890s
Paramount Candies and Parisian in the Roden Block in a 1941 Birmingham News photo

The Roden Block, also called the Roden Building or, now, the Ingram Building is a commercial structure developed by Benjamin Roden before 1884 at the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue North and 20th Street North.

The richly-ornamented three-story commercial block with its heavy cornice and corner pediments was designed by architect Charles Wheelock. The building was constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. The 2nd Avenue facade was the building's apparent "front", with blank walls facing 20th Street. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with a corner entrance. Offices were located on the second floor and sleeping rooms on the top.

According to an 1887 business directory, the Birmingham Board of Aldermen held their meetings in the Roden Building.

Birmingham National Bank replaced Roden's grocery in the early 20th century.

In 1937 the Roden Block and adjacent Caheen Building at 1924 2nd Avenue North were combined and completely renovated by Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects for Parisian stores. The cornices were removed, window openings enlarged, and a new white stone cladding was installed with simplified geometric details. Parisian's storefront was completely updated again in a 1950 renovation that also included excavation of a storage basement and a mezzanine-level men's store. The new entrance, clad in glass and Alabama marble, featured the nation's first installation of touch-action hydraulically-operated doors, as well as backlit plexi-glass and neon signage.

A 2011 renovation for owners Kent and Angie Ingram was designed by architect Jeremy Erdreich.

Tenants

References

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