Family Reserve Insurance building: Difference between revisions
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The '''Family Reserve Insurance building''' (later the ''' | The '''Family Reserve Insurance building''' (later the '''Woman's Missionary Union building''' and the '''Land Title Building''') is a limestone-clad office building constructed in [[1946]] for the [[Family Reserve Insurance Co.]] It is located on the former site of the [[A. W. Smith residence]] on the northwest corner of [[20th Street North|20th Street]] and [[6th Avenue North]] on [[Block 34]]. | ||
The Greek-Revival style building was originally two stories tall with a basement. It was designed by [[Warren, Knight & Davis]] to face diagonally into the intersection, allowing room for an 8-column Doric portico. The exterior is clad in [[Alabama limestone]], trimmed with [[Alabama marble]]. The basement level originally contained an auditorium, file storage, bathrooms, a conference room and a recreation room which opened at grade to a courtyard in the interior of the block. The first floor was occupied by executive offices while the accounting department was housed on the second floor. Elevators and an intercom system provided easy connection to each floor, while central air-conditioning and "acoustic correction" kept the offices comfortable. On the outside extensive landscaping and floodlighting enhanced the building's classical appearance. | The Greek-Revival style building was originally two stories tall with a basement. It was designed by [[Warren, Knight & Davis]] to face diagonally into the intersection, allowing room for an 8-column Doric portico, considered "the finest Doric entrance in Birmingham" by historian [[John Schnorrenberg]]. The exterior is clad in [[Alabama limestone]], trimmed with [[Alabama marble]]. The basement level originally contained an auditorium, file storage, bathrooms, a conference room and a recreation room which opened at grade to a courtyard in the interior of the block. The first floor was occupied by executive offices while the accounting department was housed on the second floor. Elevators and an intercom system provided easy connection to each floor, while central air-conditioning and "acoustic correction" kept the offices comfortable. On the outside extensive landscaping and floodlighting enhanced the building's classical appearance. | ||
The Family Reserve Insurance Company was acquired by the [[Liberty National Life Insurance Company]] in [[1950]]. Beginning in [[1951]], the building housed the [[ | The Family Reserve Insurance Company was acquired by the [[Liberty National Life Insurance Company]] in [[1950]]. Beginning in [[1951]], the building housed the [[Woman's Missionary Union]]. They relocated to [[Brook Highland]] in [[1984]]. The [[Land Title Mortgage Company]] took over the offices in [[1987]]. | ||
[[Smith Commercial Investments]] purchased the building in [[2016]] for $1.3 million. They sold it to JLR LLC in [[2018]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "New Buildings to Change Old Landscapes" in ''[[Blueprints of a Better Birmingham]]'' (1945) Birmingham: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | * "New Buildings to Change Old Landscapes" in ''[[Blueprints of a Better Birmingham]]'' (1945) Birmingham: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | ||
* {{White-1977}} | * {{White-1977}} | ||
* {{Schnorrenberg-1999}} | |||
* Godwin, Brent (June 13, 2016) "Historic 20th Street North building purchased by local investor." {{BBJ}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Family Reserve Insurance building|*]] | ||
[[Category:1946 buildings]] | |||
[[Category:Warren Knight & Davis buildings]] | [[Category:Warren Knight & Davis buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Office buildings]] | [[Category:Office buildings]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:33, 5 January 2021
The Family Reserve Insurance building (later the Woman's Missionary Union building and the Land Title Building) is a limestone-clad office building constructed in 1946 for the Family Reserve Insurance Co. It is located on the former site of the A. W. Smith residence on the northwest corner of 20th Street and 6th Avenue North on Block 34.
The Greek-Revival style building was originally two stories tall with a basement. It was designed by Warren, Knight & Davis to face diagonally into the intersection, allowing room for an 8-column Doric portico, considered "the finest Doric entrance in Birmingham" by historian John Schnorrenberg. The exterior is clad in Alabama limestone, trimmed with Alabama marble. The basement level originally contained an auditorium, file storage, bathrooms, a conference room and a recreation room which opened at grade to a courtyard in the interior of the block. The first floor was occupied by executive offices while the accounting department was housed on the second floor. Elevators and an intercom system provided easy connection to each floor, while central air-conditioning and "acoustic correction" kept the offices comfortable. On the outside extensive landscaping and floodlighting enhanced the building's classical appearance.
The Family Reserve Insurance Company was acquired by the Liberty National Life Insurance Company in 1950. Beginning in 1951, the building housed the Woman's Missionary Union. They relocated to Brook Highland in 1984. The Land Title Mortgage Company took over the offices in 1987.
Smith Commercial Investments purchased the building in 2016 for $1.3 million. They sold it to JLR LLC in 2018.
References
- "New Buildings to Change Old Landscapes" in Blueprints of a Better Birmingham (1945) Birmingham: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
- White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
- Schnorrenberg, John M. (1999) Remembered Past, Discovered Future: The Alabama Architecture of Warren Knight & Davis, 1906-1961. Birmingham: Birmingham Museum of Art. ISBN 0931394430
- Godwin, Brent (June 13, 2016) "Historic 20th Street North building purchased by local investor." Birmingham Business Journal