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1 518 South Michigan RECOMMENDATION Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria [1], the building at 518 South Michigan has been recommended by the Landmarks Committee of the Historic Preservation Commission as a Local Historic Landmark. The building meets the criteria in at least four areas. 1.) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the State if Indiana, or the United States of America. 2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation. 3.) Its educational value. 4.) Its suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria #1 as part -of one of South Bend's few remaining commercial districts from the period of 1910-1930. The building fulfills criteria #2 as an excellent example of 20th Century Neo -Classical style detailed commercial construction. The building is especially noteworthy .for the prolific use of terra cotta detailing. The building is rated Significant 11 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey. The building fulfills criteria #3 as a significant building in the South Michigan Street proposed National Register Historic District. This district is significant as one of the city's only remaining commercial districts of the period, reflecting the use of terra cotta and brick ina variety of styles from.Sullivanesque to Neoclassical. The building meets criteria #4 by the integrity of its original construction with only minor alterations. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION 518 South Michigan Street fronts on the East side of Michigan Street. To the north is a vacant lot and to the south an alley. Across the street are several similarly detailed commercial structures. This building is a masonry bearing type structure with the Michigan Street facade executed in a medium brown variegated brick. The north wall is.rendered in a lower quality brick and is absent of terra cotta detailing. This wall has been partially stuccoed and displays a large mural of a keyboard and guitar. This north facade is broken_ by two recessed rectangular second story bays with 2/2 double hung windows. The front facade is profusely ornamented with terra-cotta parapet coping, bracketed cornice, string course, window sills and lintels. The parapet wall is detailed.with three oval arcaded sections of terra-cotta. The window surrounds are executed in terra-cotta with vine and medallion motif lintels. The exuberance of the terra-cotta detail wraps around to the south side of the building only on the first bay to face the alley. The rest of the south side is rendered in lower quality brick. The openings on the south side are boarded but segmental arch brick lintels and concrete sills are visible. At the rear a ,