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• RECOMMENDATION Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria, the building at 50lWest Colfax 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 material evidence of one of South Bend's turn of the century light -industry, technology industries. Being one of the few business buildings remaining from the old downtown central business district, it provides an example of the importance of the commercial facade in this place and era. The building fulfills criteria #2 as an example of Free Classic Style architecture executed in this case with premium materials and artistic • attention. The building is rated Significant 12 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey. The building fulfills criteria #3 as its present location is inside the West Washington National Register Historic District where it is considered to be a contributing resource. This district is widely publicized, toured and visited regularly. The building meets criteria #4 by the integrity of its original construction with only minor alterations. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This two story masonry building is located on the north side of Colfax Avenue. Built of a mixture of brick and limestone finished to differing degrees in the Queen Anne or Free Classic style, the building is most impressive from the street facade which features a projecting round turret with conical roof at the left corner of the second floor, a grouping of three arched window centered beneath a pediment which rises above the gutter line. The stonework is highly ornamental featuring a wide string course with carved swags beneath the cornice line and highly articulated stone facing at the first story including split faced water table, quoined surrounds at the recessed entry, and ashlar panels. Windows are double -hung. Other elevations of the building are much plainer having been designed either to face alley of to be closed in • by subsequent mid block development which would have been originally anticipated. The roof is a medium -low hip with a single dormer to each side.