Roden Block: Difference between revisions
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The '''Roden Block''', also called the '''Roden Building''', was built by [[Benjamin Roden]] before [[1884]] at the corner of [[2nd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North]]. The three-story commercial block was constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with offices above and sleeping rooms on the top floor. | The '''Roden Block''', also called the '''Roden Building''', was built by [[Benjamin Roden]] before [[1884]] at the corner of [[2nd Avenue North]] and [[20th Street North]]. The three-story commercial block was designed by [[Charles Wheelock]] and constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with offices above and sleeping rooms on the top floor. | ||
According to an [[1887]] business directory, the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] held their meetings in the Roden Building. | According to an [[1887]] business directory, the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] held their meetings in the Roden Building. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* ''[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4017coll8&CISOPTR=363&CISOSHOW=264 Pocket Business Directory and Guide to Birmingham, Ala.]'' (1887) - accessed January 16, 2007 | |||
* {{White-1977}} | * {{White-1977}} | ||
* | * {{Fazio-2010}} | ||
[[Category:1880s buildings]] | [[Category:1880s buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Charles Wheelock buildings]] | |||
[[Category:Miller, Martin & Lewis buildings]] | [[Category:Miller, Martin & Lewis buildings]] | ||
[[Category:2nd Avenue North]] | [[Category:2nd Avenue North]] | ||
[[Category:20th Street North]] | [[Category:20th Street North]] | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 6 December 2010
The Roden Block, also called the Roden Building, was built by Benjamin Roden before 1884 at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 20th Street North. The three-story commercial block was designed by Charles Wheelock and constructed of pressed-brick with stone trim. Roden's grocery occupied the lower floor with offices above and sleeping rooms on the top floor.
According to an 1887 business directory, the Birmingham Board of Aldermen held their meetings in the Roden Building.
Birmingham National Bank replaced Roden's grocery in the early 20th century.
In 1937 the Roden Block and adjacent Caheen Building at 1924 2nd Avenue North were combined and completely renovated by Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects for Parisian stores. The cornices were removed, window openings enlarged, and a new white stone cladding was installed with simplified geometric details. Parisian's storefront was completely updated again in a 1950 renovation that also included excavation of a storage basement and a mezzanine-level men's store. The new entrance, clad in glass and Alabama marble, featured the nation's first installation of touch-action hydraulically-operated doors, as well as backlit plexi-glass and neon signage.
Tenants
- Benjamin Roden's grocery
- offices of the Avondale Stove & Foundry Co. (1887-)
- Birmingham National Bank
- Liggett's drug store and soda fountain (1920s)
- Parisian (1937-)
- Butler's Shoes
References
- Pocket Business Directory and Guide to Birmingham, Ala. (1887) - accessed January 16, 2007
- White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
- Fazio, Michael W. (2010) Landscape of Transformations: Architecture and Birmingham, Alabama. Knoxville, Tennessee: University of Tennessee Press ISBN 9781572336872