Blach's building: Difference between revisions
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The '''Blach's building''' (known as '''Blach's Lofts''') on the northwest corner of [[3rd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North|20th Street]] was originally called the '''Hood Building'''. It was built in [[1890]] to house the [[Hood-Yielding General Merchandise Store]] and featured a deeply-profiled cornice and window trim, fancy brickwork and arched windows. | The '''Blach's building''' (known as '''Blach's Lofts''') on the northwest corner of [[3rd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North|20th Street]] was originally called the '''Hood Building'''. It was built in [[1890]] to house the [[Hood-Yielding General Merchandise Store]] and featured a deeply-profiled cornice and window trim, fancy brickwork and arched windows. | ||
In [[1910]] it was converted into the 100-room '''Bencor Hotel'''. | In [[1910]] it was converted into the 100-room '''Bencor Hotel'''. [[Hardin's Coneys]] operated a crowded, sawdust-strewn [[List of hot dog stands|hot dog stand]] on the corner. | ||
In [[1935]] the building was completely remodeled in a modernist style by [[Warren Knight and Davis]] for [[Blach's]] department store. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in [[1936]] and remained until the mid-1980s. In [[2004]] [[Operation New Birmingham]] put the then-vacant building on their [[12 Most Wanted]] list of downtown properties in need of renovation. | In [[1935]] the building was completely remodeled in a modernist style by [[Warren Knight and Davis]] for [[Blach's]] department store. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in [[1936]] and remained until the mid-1980s. In [[2004]] [[Operation New Birmingham]] put the then-vacant building on their [[12 Most Wanted]] list of downtown properties in need of renovation. | ||
Revision as of 18:58, 1 April 2013
The Blach's building (known as Blach's Lofts) on the northwest corner of 3rd Avenue North and 20th Street was originally called the Hood Building. It was built in 1890 to house the Hood-Yielding General Merchandise Store and featured a deeply-profiled cornice and window trim, fancy brickwork and arched windows.
In 1910 it was converted into the 100-room Bencor Hotel. Hardin's Coneys operated a crowded, sawdust-strewn hot dog stand on the corner.
In 1935 the building was completely remodeled in a modernist style by Warren Knight and Davis for Blach's department store. The arched windows were squared off, the cornice and window trim were stripped away and the brickwork was stuccoed over and painted off-white. The store moved into its new location in 1936 and remained until the mid-1980s. In 2004 Operation New Birmingham put the then-vacant building on their 12 Most Wanted list of downtown properties in need of renovation.
In 2007 a $5 million renovation of the Blach's building was completed by the Carroll & Green Group on behalf of architects and owners Kenneth Owens and Franklin Woods of the Owens and Woods Partnership. 5,000 square feet of ground floor office space is being leased by MBA Structural Engineers. 18 one- and two-bedroom residential lofts on the upper floors were also included in the renovation.
In July 2007 Birmingham mayoral candidate Larry Langford signed a month-to-month lease for an apartment at the Blach's lofts in order to establish residency in the city. After the election, opponent Patrick Cooper filed a lawsuit claiming that Langford did not meet the requirement and his claimed use of the apartment was "a sham."
In February 2009 Regions Bank foreclosed on the building and sold it for $2 million. They have sued the Owens and Woods Partnership for non-payment on a $700,000 loan.
References
- White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
- Kent, Dawn (September 22, 2007) "Renovated Blach's site set for new lease on life." Birmingham News.
- DeButts, Jimmy (October 17, 2007) "Cooper files lawsuit claiming Langford not Birmingham resident." Birmingham Business Journal
- Hubbard, Russell (September 24, 2009) "Regions sues Owens and Woods." Birmingham News
- Tomberlin, Michael (February 13, 2011) "Downtown dreams: Renovation slow for prominent buildings." Birmingham News