3200 4th Avenue South is located in the southeast
corner of 4th Avenue South and Hanford Street. This building is
fairly large, about 80’ by 200’ feet in plan and is two stories in height. It
stands out primarily because of its shorter main façade, set along 4th
Avenue South. The façade is characterized by red masonry walls, contrasting
cast stone ornament and multi-pane steel sash. The overall shape of the building
is also somewhat unusual in its combination of roof forms. Although, at first
glance, they look like modern additions, they have been part of the building
for a long time.
The front part of the building has a flat roof and parapet. The
main façade is symmetrical and divided into three parts. A longer central
portion is lower and topped by a straight parapet. A long band of multi-pane
steel sash, divided into three primary sections by vertical elements, runs the
length of the top level of the central portion of the facade. The resulting
central bay is further divided into two glazed areas by a vertical mullion.
There is a visible operable area, (2 panes in length by 2 panes in
width), set within each of these subdivisions. The longer flanking glazed areas
are also subdivided into three. Operable areas, also delineated by thicker
muntins, are visible at the end subdivisions. Corresponding to the second story
glazed band, are ground level storefronts, which flank a central, recessed
doorway.
A shorter single bay with a raised and shallow angled parapet is
set to each side of the façade’s central bay. Pilasters created out of long and
repeated vertical rows of angled brick emphasize the vertical edges of each of
these bays. The pilasters have dark gray cast stone bases and ornamental
capitals. The ornament, in the Art Deco style, includes a symmetrical floral
motif, with a stylized volute to each side. Similar cast stone also caps the
top of the angled parapet.
Three single, oblong window
openings, also with multi-pane glazing, are set at the second level of each of
the side bays. The central opening is slightly narrower than the flanking ones,
which are also graced with a central operable area of glazing. A soldier course
of bricks is visible above these openings and the storefront level below. The
ground floor storefront is made up of two large pieces of plate glass.
Based on a historical photo
from 1936 and original construction drawings, the plate glass of the ground
floor storefronts, as well as the existing multi-pane sash, are either original
or an excellent replacement in kind. The configuration of the main entry the
ground level seems very close to what is shown in original drawings, as well as
the photo.
North and south elevations,
which are contiguous to the main façade, each have two floors of four
rectangular openings, also with multi-pane sash. These elevations correspond to
the front portion of the building, which has a flat roof and parapet.
Moving farther back (east),
the brick portion of the building is only about one story. A low, second level,
which is set back from the parapet of the lower level, has a low-pitched roof
and a band of multi-pane clerestory glazing on both the north and south
elevations; although some of the glazing on the south side is covered up.
Moving farther back, the low second level is succeeded by a higher second
story, also set back from the lower roof parapet and topped by a low-pitched
roof. This portion of the building also has large expanses of multi-pane
glazing. The shape of these two distinct second story levels is not new, but
appears in the historical photo from 1936. Although these second story
structures appear to have some sort of horizontal shingle siding in the
historical photo, it seems likely that the present siding, painted yellow, is
relatively new. Still the overall shape of this portion of the building, which
seems somewhat unusual, is original and has been retained.
In general, a significant
amount of what appears to be original multi-pane glazing, (or excellent
replacements in kind), has been retained on the back portions of the ground
floor level elevations, facing both north and south.