Essex House

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Essex House was a 10-story, 88,515-square-foot high-rise apartment building built on the northeast corner of 6th Avenue North and Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North in downtown Birmingham. Designed by architects George Gaunt and Edwin B. Mims, this was constructed in 1951 and demolished in 1997. Many consider this to be the first modernist high-rise constructed within the city after World War II.

Opening as Birmingham's most modern apartment complex, its early years were marked by various tenants on the bottom floor. From 1951 through 1966, the Downtown Club was a Birmingham tradition located on the bottom floor. From 1966 through 1975, Dale's Cellar operated on the first floor with the basement being where his famous Dale's Steak Seasoning was originally produced for sale in local supermarkets.

HABD ownership and decline

The Birmingham Housing Authority purchased the building in 1969. It was utilized by the BHA as 120 apartments for low-income seniors. In 1988, HABD was forced to abandon the tower as a result of roof damage and other decay to the structure. To address these issues, the authority spent $1 million in renovating the tower in 1991. However, these renovations fell short in bringing the tower up to code as both roof damage and a crack in the concrete top floor were not adequately repaired.

By 1993 the building was renamed the Daniel-Branscomb Tower in honor of former authority board members, Bennerea Daniel and Dr. Louise Branscomb. Later that year, the authority announced that major renovations would occur at the property including such improvements as a new roof, replacing the plumbing, installing water heaters and rewiring the outdated electrical system. Additionally, the property would be transformed from 120 efficiency units into 72 larger apartment units. Bradfield Richards Associates of Atlanta were commissioned for the project slated to commence in September 1993 and be complete by September 1994.

By early 1994 the cost of renovating the tower had increased from $2.6 million to $6.8 million. As a result, the BHA decided to sell the property altogether for $1.2 million in July 1994. By January 1997, the property was purchased along with the neighboring Downtown Club by Energen to be demolished and make way for their new corporate headquarters.

At 8:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 1997, the tower was imploded by Hudgins & Company, with mayor Richard Arrington pushing the button. The blast utilized 200 to 300 pounds of Power Ditch explosive to bring down the building. The only reported damage from the blast was four shattered windows at the Tutwiler Hotel across the street. It took six weeks for crews to remove the 10,000 tons of debris created from the implosion.

References

  • Sanford, Peggy (March 2, 1997) "A mighty boom rocked Birmingham early Saturday morning as the 10-story Essex House crumbled to make way for a new building." Birmingham News.
  • Bryant, Walter (March 2, 1997) "Essex lives on, memories remain of downtown landmark." Birmingham News.
  • Dedrick, Patricia (January 12, 1997) "Energen plans complex on Essex, Club site." Birmingham News.
  • Nabbefeld, Joe (July 11, 1994) "BHA plans to sell damaged 10-story apartment building." Birmingham News.
  • Nabbefeld, Joe (June 1, 1993) "Old Essex House will get new look, reopen in 1994." Birmingham News.

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Essex_House&oldid=10279"