1916 Louis Saks building: Difference between revisions
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The '''1916 Louis Saks building''' was a 6-story, 90,000 square-foot retail building constructed in [[1916]] on the northwest corner of [[19th Street North|19th Street]] and [[2nd Avenue North]] for [[Louis Saks Clothiers]], which previously operated from a [[1896 Louis Saks building|3-story building]] a block south. | The '''1916 Louis Saks building''' was a 6-story, 90,000 square-foot retail building constructed in [[1916]] on the northwest corner of [[19th Street North|19th Street]] and [[2nd Avenue North]] for [[Louis Saks Clothiers]], which previously operated from a [[1896 Louis Saks building|3-story building]] a block south. | ||
The new store was built on the former site of the [[Florence Hotel]], which was demolished early that year. It was developed by the [[Florence Investment Company]] and designed by [[Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects|Miller, Martin & Lewis]]. [[John Miller]] accompanied Saks on a scouting trip to Chicago to survey the latest retail architecture. The result was a well-proportioned frame building with ganged window bays above and large display windows at ground level. The terra-cotta cladding, supplied by the | The new store was built on the former site of the [[Florence Hotel]], which was demolished early that year. It was developed by the [[Florence Investment Company]] and designed by [[Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects|Miller, Martin & Lewis]]. [[John Miller]] accompanied Saks on a scouting trip to Chicago to survey the latest retail architecture. The result was a well-proportioned frame building with ganged window bays above and large display windows at ground level. The terra-cotta cladding, supplied by the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company, featured leaves and vines with lion's heads along the roof line. [[Roper & Strauss]] were contractors for the building. | ||
After Louis Saks closed, the store became [[Melancon's]] and, in [[1936]], a [[J. J. Newberry's]] variety store. Newberry's commissioned Miller, Martin & Lewis and [[Edwin McCowan]] to design a major remodeling of the store in [[1961]]. The $1.5 million update was contracted to the [[Robins Engineering Company]]. Exterior improvements included the installation of a wrap-around sign and cantilevered sidewalk cover and new vertical signs at the street corner, both backed by an epoxy-coated aluminum cladding system characterized by vertical fins. | After Louis Saks closed, the store became [[Melancon's]] and, in [[1936]], a [[J. J. Newberry's]] variety store. Newberry's commissioned Miller, Martin & Lewis and [[Edwin McCowan]] to design a major remodeling of the store in [[1961]]. The $1.5 million update was contracted to the [[Robins Engineering Company]]. Exterior improvements included the installation of a wrap-around sign and cantilevered sidewalk cover and new vertical signs at the street corner, both backed by an epoxy-coated aluminum cladding system characterized by vertical fins. |
Revision as of 12:45, 15 November 2020
The 1916 Louis Saks building was a 6-story, 90,000 square-foot retail building constructed in 1916 on the northwest corner of 19th Street and 2nd Avenue North for Louis Saks Clothiers, which previously operated from a 3-story building a block south.
The new store was built on the former site of the Florence Hotel, which was demolished early that year. It was developed by the Florence Investment Company and designed by Miller, Martin & Lewis. John Miller accompanied Saks on a scouting trip to Chicago to survey the latest retail architecture. The result was a well-proportioned frame building with ganged window bays above and large display windows at ground level. The terra-cotta cladding, supplied by the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company, featured leaves and vines with lion's heads along the roof line. Roper & Strauss were contractors for the building.
After Louis Saks closed, the store became Melancon's and, in 1936, a J. J. Newberry's variety store. Newberry's commissioned Miller, Martin & Lewis and Edwin McCowan to design a major remodeling of the store in 1961. The $1.5 million update was contracted to the Robins Engineering Company. Exterior improvements included the installation of a wrap-around sign and cantilevered sidewalk cover and new vertical signs at the street corner, both backed by an epoxy-coated aluminum cladding system characterized by vertical fins.
Newberry's closed in 1995, and the building was demolished in 1996 for construction of the McWane Science Center's IMAX Dome theater.
References
- "Two-fold goal—Store revitalized, architects report" (May 1961) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
- White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
- "Closing after 8 decades: Newberry's site for Omnimax." (January 25, 1995) The Birmingham News
- Hollis, Tim (2005) Birmingham's Theater and Retail District. Images of America series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738517771
External links
- Louis Saks Clothing Company on Emporis.com