Clark Building: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Clark Bldg rendering.jpg|Warren, Knight & Davis rendering of the remodeled Clark Building in 1962|right|thumb|375px|Warren, Knight & Davis rendering of the remodeled Clark Building in 1962]] | [[Image:Clark Bldg rendering.jpg|Warren, Knight & Davis rendering of the remodeled Clark Building in 1962|right|thumb|375px|Warren, Knight & Davis rendering of the remodeled Clark Building in 1962]] | ||
The '''Clark Building''' is a 2-story commercial building located on the northwest corner of [[20th Street North|20th Street]] and [[4th Avenue North]] in [[downtown Birmingham]]. It was constructed in [[ | The '''Clark Building''' is a 2-story commercial building located on the northwest corner of [[20th Street North|20th Street]] and [[4th Avenue North]] in [[downtown Birmingham]]. It was designed by [[Harry Wheelock]] and constructed in [[1908]] by [[T. C. Thompson]] for General [[Louis Clark]]. He expected the building to house [[Drennen's Department Store]], but no agreement was reached and the space was subdivided for smaller shops. The property remained in his family for generations. | ||
The building housed the [[Birmingham Press Club]], and later a ballet school, on the second floor. The ground floor space housed [[Smith & Hardwick]] book store, while the basement was home to [[Cafe Italiano]] and its [[Piccolino Lounge]]. | The [[Commercial Realty Company]], owners of the building in [[1962]], commissioned a full remodeling and modernization of the structure from [[Warren, Knight & Davis]] and [[Brice Building Company]]. | ||
The building housed the [[Birmingham Press Club]], and later a ballet school, on the second floor. The ground floor space housed [[Smith & Hardwick]] book store, while the basement was home to [[Cafe Italiano]] and its [[Piccolino Lounge]]. The structure became vacant in [[1986]]. | |||
The building was slated for demolition in the mid 1990s, but was saved by the efforts of [[Richard Arrington, Jr]], [[John Lauriello]] and [[Bob Moody]], along with [[Operation New Birmingham]]. They recruited the law firm of [[Lightfoot, Franklin & White]] to purchase the building and renovate it as their headquarters offices. The renovations, aimed at restoring the building's historic appearance, were completed in [[1998]] by the [[Charles & Vinzant Construction Company]]. | |||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
==Tenants== | |||
* [[Smith & Hardwick]] booksellers | |||
* [[Cafe Italiano]] | |||
* [[Central Bank]] | |||
* [[The Cane Break]] | |||
* [[Charles Arndt]] | |||
* [[Birmingham Club]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/ClarkBldg%20%2807-62%29.jpg Clark Building, Fourth and 20th, to get face-lifting]" (July 1962) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | * "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/ClarkBldg%20%2807-62%29.jpg Clark Building, Fourth and 20th, to get face-lifting]" (July 1962) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]] | ||
* Lauriello, John (October 2010) "[http://www.jeffcohistory.com/newsletter_oct_10.html The Damn Yankee that Stayed - Part 2]" Jefferson County Historical Association Newsletter | |||
==External links== | |||
* [http://www.emporis.com/building/clark-building-birmingham-al-usa Clark Building] on Emporis.com | |||
* [http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=27515 Clark Building] at the Historical Marker Database | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:1908 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Harry Wheelock buildings]] | |||
[[Category:1962 buildings]] | [[Category:1962 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:20th Street North]] | [[Category:20th Street North]] | ||
[[Category:4th Avenue North]] | [[Category:4th Avenue North]] | ||
Revision as of 17:03, 10 January 2015
The Clark Building is a 2-story commercial building located on the northwest corner of 20th Street and 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. It was designed by Harry Wheelock and constructed in 1908 by T. C. Thompson for General Louis Clark. He expected the building to house Drennen's Department Store, but no agreement was reached and the space was subdivided for smaller shops. The property remained in his family for generations.
The Commercial Realty Company, owners of the building in 1962, commissioned a full remodeling and modernization of the structure from Warren, Knight & Davis and Brice Building Company.
The building housed the Birmingham Press Club, and later a ballet school, on the second floor. The ground floor space housed Smith & Hardwick book store, while the basement was home to Cafe Italiano and its Piccolino Lounge. The structure became vacant in 1986.
The building was slated for demolition in the mid 1990s, but was saved by the efforts of Richard Arrington, Jr, John Lauriello and Bob Moody, along with Operation New Birmingham. They recruited the law firm of Lightfoot, Franklin & White to purchase the building and renovate it as their headquarters offices. The renovations, aimed at restoring the building's historic appearance, were completed in 1998 by the Charles & Vinzant Construction Company.
Tenants
- Smith & Hardwick booksellers
- Cafe Italiano
- Central Bank
- The Cane Break
- Charles Arndt
- Birmingham Club
References
- "Clark Building, Fourth and 20th, to get face-lifting" (July 1962) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
- Lauriello, John (October 2010) "The Damn Yankee that Stayed - Part 2" Jefferson County Historical Association Newsletter
External links
- Clark Building on Emporis.com
- Clark Building at the Historical Marker Database