Iron Age building: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Iron Age building.jpg|right|thumb|325px|The ''Iron Age'' building in November 2007. Photographed by Wally Argus [http://www.flickr.com/photos/argusfoto/1865349392/in/pool-magic_city]]]
[[Image:Iron Age building.jpg|right|thumb|325px|The ''Iron Age'' building in November 2007. Photographed by Wally Argus [http://www.flickr.com/photos/argusfoto/1865349392/in/pool-magic_city]]]
The '''''Iron Age'' building''' is a narrow three-story commercial building located at 212 [[20th Street North]] adjoining the alley between [[2nd Avenue North|2nd]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] on the west side of the street. Built in [[1886]] as a newspaper office, it boasts one of only two cast-iron facades remaining in the city. The "High Victorian Italianate" style is characterized by tall, elongated proportions and delicate details. The cast-iron supports allow for large expanses of plate glass to illuminate the interior of the structure. The interior of the press-office was plastered in pure calcimine by [[R. B. Abbott]].
The '''''Iron Age'' building''' is a narrow three-story commercial building located at 212 [[20th Street North]] adjoining the alley between [[2nd Avenue North|2nd]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] on the west side of the street. Built in [[1886]] as a newspaper office, it boasts one of only two cast-iron facades remaining in the city. The "High Victorian Italianate" style is characterized by tall, elongated proportions and delicate details. The cast-iron supports allow for large expanses of plate glass to illuminate the interior of the structure.<!--In 1874 the interior of the press-office was plastered in pure calcimine by [[R. B. Abbott]], reference "[https://bplonline.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/BrmnghmNP01/id/822/rec/1 Calcimining]." (May 28, 1874) ''Weekly Iron Age'' - via {{BPLDC}}-->.


The 5,800-square-foot building was first constructed as the press office for the ''[[Weekly Iron Age]]'' newspaper, which was soon to merge with the ''[[Daily Herald]]'' to form the ''[[Birmingham Age-Herald]]''. By [[1890]] it had been converted into a drug store with doctors' offices on the upper floors. Since then it has served as the [[Faust Cafe]], [[Burt's Shoes]], [[Lee Optical]], and a delicatessen. It has been vacant since the the early 1990s.
The 5,800-square-foot building was first constructed as the press office for the ''[[Weekly Iron Age]]'' newspaper, which was soon to merge with the ''[[Daily Herald]]'' to form the ''[[Birmingham Age-Herald]]''. By [[1890]] it had been converted into a drug store with doctors' offices on the upper floors.


In [[1998]] developer [[Joseph McClure, Jr]] purchased the building from engineering consultant [[Craig Crosby]] and made plans to renovate for the offices of attorney [[Glenda Cochran]]. [[Moody & Associates]] prepared plans which included a rooftop garden featuring an iron, copper and glass gazebo. Part of the restoration would have involved having the company that fabricated the original facade cast new columns for the front of the building.
In [[1998]] developer [[Joseph McClure Jr]] purchased the building from engineering consultant [[Craig Crosby]] and made plans to renovate for the offices of attorney [[Glenda Cochran]]. [[Moody & Associates]] prepared plans which included a rooftop garden featuring an iron, copper and glass gazebo. Part of the restoration would have involved having the company that fabricated the original façade cast new columns for the front of the building.


The planned redevelopment never took place. The owner did undertake some stabilization and repairs, including some restoration and protection of the cast-iron. The building was subsequenty listed for sale for $350,000. McClure marketed the building as one of about two dozen vacancies that he hoped could be used to rejuvenate after-hours activity in the city's [[Theater District]].
The planned redevelopment never took place. The owner did undertake some stabilization and repairs, including some restoration and protection of the cast-iron. The building was subsequently listed for sale for $350,000. McClure marketed the building as one of about two dozen vacancies that he hoped could be used to rejuvenate after-hours activity in the city's [[Theater District]].


In [[2016]] the building was purchased by [[Harsha Hatti]], CEO of [[CoreLinQ Innovations]], in order to incorporate it into his concept of a shared hub for healthcare technology startups, dubbed the [[Iron Age Project]]. A retail tenant is expected to move into the ground floor after construction is completed in late [[2018]].
In [[2016]] the building was purchased by [[Harsha Hatti]], CEO of [[CoreLinQ Innovations]], in order to incorporate it into his concept of a shared hub for healthcare technology startups, dubbed the [[Iron Age Project]].
 
As part of Hatti's renovation project, the second and third floor facades, behind the cast iron posts, were replaced entirely by single sheets of 1 inch-thick polycarbonate. A retail tenant is expected to move into the ground floor after construction is completed in [[2019]].
 
In December [[2023]] [[H2 Real Estate]] acquired the Iron Age Project complex from [[Southern States Bank]] for $2.9 million.


{{Start box}}
{{Start box}}
{{Address box | street=[[20th Street North]] | number=212 | left=Alley | right=[[214 – 216 20th Street North]]}}
{{Address box | street=[[20th Street North]] | number=212 | left=2nd Alley North | right=[[214 – 216 20th Street North]]}}
{{End box}}
{{End box}}
==Tenants==
* ground floor
** [[Charles Webber]] baker / [[W. H. Jarvis Fish Market]] (1887)
** drug store (1891)
** [[Sloss Pharmacy]] (1899)
** [[Patton's Pharmacy]] (1905)
** [[Beaver's Cafe]] (1914)
** [[Faust Cafe]] (1920-1929)
** [[Mitzi Dress Shop]] (1941)
** [[Burt's Shoes]]
** [[Lee Optical]]
** delicatessen
** vacant (1964–2014)
* rooms
** [[Birmingham Iron Age]]'' (1886–1890)
** [[Coss & McPherson]] real estate (1887)
** [[Socialist Labor Party]] / [[J. M. Lewis]] [[Mack Rogers]] & [[Charles Whelan]] physicians (1899)
** [[Mack Rogers]] / [[C. K. Yates]] / [[W. R. Ward]] physicians (1905)
** [[Dolly's]] hair salon (1930)
** [[Birmingham Beauty Shoppe]] / [[Dolly Mayson Cosmetic Company]] (1941)


==References==
==References==
* "Calcimining" (May 28, 1874) ''[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/BrmnghmNP01,822 Weekly Iron Age]'' - via {{BPLDC}}
* {{White-1977}}
* {{White-1977}}
* Kelly, Mark (June 11, 1999) "Polishing a `jewel' downtown." {{BBJ}}
* Kelly, Mark (June 11, 1999) "Polishing a `jewel' downtown." {{BBJ}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (January 4, 2009) "Push continues for new projects in Birmingham's theater district." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (January 4, 2009) "Push continues for new projects in Birmingham's theater district." {{BN}}
* Godwin, September 8, 2016) "Company eyes creation of tech hot spot on 20th Street." {{BBJ}}
* Godwin, Brent (September 8, 2016) "Company eyes creation of tech hot spot on 20th Street." {{BBJ}}
 
==External link==
* [http://www.jmcre.net/leasingPDFs/14_-_212_N0._20th-pg..pdf sales brochure] at jmcre.net


[[Category:Iron Age building|*]]
[[Category:1886 buildings]]
[[Category:1886 buildings]]
[[Category:20th Street North]]
[[Category:Vacant buildings]]

Latest revision as of 17:36, 18 January 2024

The Iron Age building in November 2007. Photographed by Wally Argus [1]

The Iron Age building is a narrow three-story commercial building located at 212 20th Street North adjoining the alley between 2nd and 3rd Avenue North on the west side of the street. Built in 1886 as a newspaper office, it boasts one of only two cast-iron facades remaining in the city. The "High Victorian Italianate" style is characterized by tall, elongated proportions and delicate details. The cast-iron supports allow for large expanses of plate glass to illuminate the interior of the structure..

The 5,800-square-foot building was first constructed as the press office for the Weekly Iron Age newspaper, which was soon to merge with the Daily Herald to form the Birmingham Age-Herald. By 1890 it had been converted into a drug store with doctors' offices on the upper floors.

In 1998 developer Joseph McClure Jr purchased the building from engineering consultant Craig Crosby and made plans to renovate for the offices of attorney Glenda Cochran. Moody & Associates prepared plans which included a rooftop garden featuring an iron, copper and glass gazebo. Part of the restoration would have involved having the company that fabricated the original façade cast new columns for the front of the building.

The planned redevelopment never took place. The owner did undertake some stabilization and repairs, including some restoration and protection of the cast-iron. The building was subsequently listed for sale for $350,000. McClure marketed the building as one of about two dozen vacancies that he hoped could be used to rejuvenate after-hours activity in the city's Theater District.

In 2016 the building was purchased by Harsha Hatti, CEO of CoreLinQ Innovations, in order to incorporate it into his concept of a shared hub for healthcare technology startups, dubbed the Iron Age Project.

As part of Hatti's renovation project, the second and third floor facades, behind the cast iron posts, were replaced entirely by single sheets of 1 inch-thick polycarbonate. A retail tenant is expected to move into the ground floor after construction is completed in 2019.

In December 2023 H2 Real Estate acquired the Iron Age Project complex from Southern States Bank for $2.9 million.

To left:
2nd Alley North 		20th Street North
212 		To right:
214 – 216 20th Street North

Tenants

References

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