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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablishing a Historical Landmark - 216 W. Washington StreetORDINANCE No. aa3~-s, Passed by the Common Council of the City ofSouth Bend, Indiana, October 13. 19 97 Attest: Attest: City Clerk Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana October 14, 19 President of Common Council 97 City Clerk Approved and signed by me October 14, l9 97 O'~Z~c.~-~- c ,1~.~ Mayor ORDINANCE N0. ~~ ~~~ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE, AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC LANDMARK POR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT _216 West Washington Street. IN THE CITY OP SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County has petitioned for the designation of the following described real estate as an Historic Landmark under the Ordinance No. 5565-73, as amended to wit: Lot 258 of Original Plat South Bend Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County has recommended the designation of the PROPERTY as an historic landmark. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: SECTION 1. That the above described PROPERTY be, and it is here designated and established as an Historic Landmark under Ordinance No. 5565-73, as amended. SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council, approval by the Mayor and its publication. Member of the Common Council 1st READING 9 ~~~ PUBLIC FEARING' ~Q r '~ 7 3 rd READING ~Q --~~ - ~j^ J NOT APPROVED' REFERP.ED PASSED /~ r /~ G 7 i ~~o~ - ?_ 197 ~ _...s Y 1+i~i•~~, C:tll~•~~~~jC tt "•~~~, COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OFSOUTHBEND: Your Committee of the Whole, to whom was referred BILL NO. 85-97 A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC LANDMARK FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 216 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion, this bill has been recommend to the Council favorably. Sean Coleman Chairman BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATION. of SOUTH BEND PROPOSED LOCAL LANDMARK 216 WEST. WASHINGTON 'STREET SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Historic Preservation Conanission of South Bend and St. Joseph County August, 1997 -~.^~`'i~`v~ Bil ~~~i"E~'~ ~E~`s ~!, 3 ` SEP - 2 1997 ~ ~~~V-n-n~. o~~r. C1fiY CLf: Fart, :?•C7. ~f:f;D, 1?. ,` 1 x a 0 N 0 a d CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHS 216 W: Washington (Tower Building) HISTORICAL CONTEXT This property is located on the south side of W, Washington Street, between S. Lafayette and S. Main in downtown Soilth Bend, Indiana. It is described as 48' E. Lot 258 of Original Plat South Bend. The properties- earliest known' owners were James Oliver II, Gertrude Cunningham, Charles Cunningham, Joseph D. Oliver and S. Catherine Oliver. On~ February 27, 1920 the owners sold the property. to the Building and Loan Association of South Bend for one dollar and other valuable considerations. The Building and Loan Association of South Bend was incorporated on June 26, 1882 with the signatures of fifty men. The object and purpose o~ the Association was to accumulate funds through the use of by monthly contributions, fines, premiums on loans, interest on investments,.. to enable the stock holders to build or purchase for themselves dwelling houses or other such. real estate as they may deem advantageous. The Association announced on September 9, 1928 .that they were erecting a $300,00.00 building at 216 W. Washington. .The architecture was to be Commercial Gothic with twelve stories, making it the first building in South Bend to reach the height limit set by South Bend building code. The building was designed by local architects Austin .and Shambleu and built by H.G. Christman and Company. The twelve story, fire proof,-steel framed building was. opened to the public on December 27, 1929. The building stayed under the ownership. of the. Association until 1972 when it was purchased by the Tower Federal Savings and Loan Association, which could possibly have been the same Association only with a different name. The building is now owned by. E III Holdings Ltd. Liability Co., who purchased it in 1995: ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The building is a twelve story Commercial- Gothic type designed by Austin & Shambleau.' The structure is approximately 42 feet in width from East to West and is square by design. .The foundation is made of concrete, the framing is steel and it has a flat roof with a parapet around it and a cut stone cap. The walls have five bays across the main facade,- engaged corner columns, decorated panels. and an exterior covered with marble .and terra cotta. There is a perpendicular style false porch projecting from the second floor. The entry doors are triple leaf bronze with bronze decorated spandrel and elaborate Gothic motifs. The windows are plain double hung metal 1/ls. Additional features consist of Gargoyles on three corners of the eleventh floor and the building boasts automatically controlled elevators. On October 10, 1929 Westinghouse multi-colored flood lights were used to illuminate the building. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation' Commission's Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted .by the Common Council., the building at 216 West Washington has been recommended to the Common Council. for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by Historic Preservation Commission. The site meets the criteria in at least four areas: 1.) Its character, interest and value as part. of the development heritage,- or culture of ahe 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 educational value. 4.) Its suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria 4~1 as an early example of -a multi-storied commercial structure.. It. .is a. prime example of.-the growth of. South Bend's business community, being associated with the .oldest Building and, Loan Association in Northern Indiana. The Association .has a long rich history with South Bend and its people. The .building: fulfills criteria .~F'2 as. the only example_of Commercial Gothic style high rise architecture in the city. The building is rated an outstanding thirteen_in:.the::..Indiana Histor.ic..Sites and-Structures Inventory and is - currently. listed_..in.. the National. Register. its_ design is the work of Austin & Shambleau, the city's premier architectural firm of the era. The building fulfills criteria 4k3 by its prominent location and the attendant accessibility to the public and its unique character and design. The building fulfills criteria 4~4. by the integrity of its original construction with-few if any exterior alterations. Staff finds that the building meets the criteria for designation as a Local Landmark-and. recommends that the commission send such.a recommendation to the Common Council. DBD - 8/27/97 - historic reservation m ' ' p co m~ss~on of south bend and st. joseph county Common Council of the City of South Bend C/0 Ms. Loretta Duda, Clerk of the City of 4th Floor County-City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601(219) 235-998 August 27, 1997 Honorable Council Members, Attached please find the proposed amendment to the City of South Bend's Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of the amendment is to designate the Building & Laan Association property located at 216 West Washington Street as a Local Historic Landmark. At its August 18, 1997 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County moved to send to the Common Council a favorable recommendation to designate the above mentioned property, commonly known as The Tower Building, as a Local Historic Landmark. Also attached is a statement of Architectural and Historical Significance prepared by commission staff. This document will be provided to council members on or before the occasion of the public hearing on this matter. We would appreciate your favorable consideration of this matter. Yours trul , David B. Duvall, Director cc: John Oxian - President, HPC ~~ -----~ LC7Ft~:T~i~.S. bUi~.~: CITY C:,f:itie, SA. ~SEPJCP, liJ. South Bend