Melchers Building

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The Melchers Building at 51 Merchant Street is the oldest commercial building in Downtown Honolulu. Designed by an unknown architect, it was constructed in 1854 of white coral blocks. However, this structure is no longer visible beneath outer layers of stucco and paint. Looking at the building's structure, one has to conclude that is not very different from other commercial 19th Centurian buildings. The Melchers Building has a plain and simple structure, only two floors, and very minimal ornamentation.

Its original purpose was to house the retail firm of Melchers & Reiner. Subsequently, it served for a time as the office of the City Prosecutor. At one point, the windows along the Merchant Street side were bricked up and an iron frame was placed around the door. The bricked windows and blocked doorway have since been removed and the building is now in use as an office annex by the City and County of Honolulu.

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