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E ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The structure is a four story commercial building designed in the Renaissance Revival style presumably by Freyermuth and Maurer. The structure is rectangular in design, has a brick foundation and a tar and gravel roof. The walls are made of brick with brick recessed panels and spandrels located in the street facade. It also has engaged pilasters with stone capitals supporting metal egg & dart architrave, a brick frieze and a sheet metal cornice with -modillions and dentils. The sheet metal cornice which once was continuous for the street facades of the Jefferson building returns around the corner at the alley but has been clipped at the front elevation short of the northeast corner. Investigation indicates that the street level facade contains historic storefront including transoms glazed with patterned "bottle glass". The windows in stories two through four have been removed for restoration and the openings have been boarded up for security. The window openings in the fourth floor are accented by a stone arch with accentuated keystones. An earlier addition of a wood shingle hip roof canopy over the first floor entrance was removed to allow for the future restoration of the stone cornice work that originally existed in its place. The building also has one offset brick chimney, a fire, escape along the west facade and metal siding over the east facade where the building was once connected to the Jefferson Hotel. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commission's Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common -Council, the building at 214 West Jefferson has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by Historic Preservation Commission.. The building meets the criteria in at'least three areas: 1.) Its character, interest and value as part of the development , heritage, or culture of the city of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the state of 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 suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria #1 as an early example of a multi -storied office structure. It reflects the growth of downtown South Bend through its own growth and metamorphosis from a 1903 office building to the annex of one of South Bend's major hotels and finally as a survivor of near demolition and its future renovation back to an office building. This building epitomizes the growing pains of downtown South Bend from 1906 to the present. The building fulfills criteria #2 as an early example of a Renaissance Revival office building in the city. The building is rated a contributing ten in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The verification of existing storefront elements assures the elevation of this rating upon completion of restoration activities. Its design, at least in the facade was the work of Freyermuth and Maurer, two of the city's well known architects. Freyermuth eventually was elected Mayor.