Renwick Building

Renwick Building
Location: 324 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa
Built: 1897
Architectural style: Early Commercial
Governing body: Private
MPS: Davenport MRA
NRHP Reference#: 83002491[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP: July 7, 1983
Designated DRHP: February 2, 2000[2]

The Renwick Building is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983,[1] and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties since 2000.[2] It is known locally for the large painted sign on the north side of the building depicting the Bix 7 Road Race. The NRHP incorrectly lists the building’s address as 322 Brady Street, which is the building next door. This structure is 324 Brady Street.

Contents

History

The building was built by its namesake William Renwick, who was a prosperous Davenport industrialist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[3] His mansion is also on the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the St. Katherine's Historic District. The building has housed various furniture stores over the years. Davenport Furniture was the first business to occupy the structure after it was built. It was followed by Drake Furniture and Carpet, Iowa Furniture & Carpet Co. and Freeman-Glickman. The last tenet was Matthew’s Office Supply, whose name is still on the building.

Architecture

The Renwick Building is a steel frame and brick commercial building.[3] The four-story building reflects the Chicago Commercial Style. The brick façade acts as the building’s skin around the steel frame, which supports the structure. This technology allowed a greater expanse of windows, which are found in this building. Decorative elements are found at the top of the building. Round arch windows in a tri-partite configuration line the fourth floor on the facade, and the building is topped with a heavy ornate cornice.

Future

There are plans to renovate the Renwick Building and turning them into apartments, Restoration St. Louis' plans to renovate the Renwick building at 324 Brady Street. This project is slated to cost around 4.5 million dollars and if all things go right will open around the fall of 2012.

The Renwick building will keep commercial real estate on the first floor and will have nine one bedroom apartments and nine two bedroom apartments located throughout the building.[4]

References

External links