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Showing posts with label Beaux-Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beaux-Arts. Show all posts

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Arcade - Day 71


Monticello Arcade Norfolk Virginia. Designed by Neff & Thompson in the Beaux Arts Classical style, the Monticello Arcade was built in 1907 and is one of only two shopping arcades in Virginia. It features elaborate terra cotta decorative elements, and, at the time it was built, the center skylight was one of the country's largest. One of my favorite buildings in Norfolk and a must see for architecture and historic building fans.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Corinthian Console

This pair of Corinthian-styled consoles support a shallow stone balcony above the main entrance to the 1899 Federal Courthouse and Post Office in Norfolk Virginia. The building housed the U.S. Courthouse and Post Office until 1934, it then served as Norfolk's City Hall from 1938 through 1965 and other local government agencies occupied the building until 1977. It now being renovated and will serve as part of the City's new Slover Library scheduled to open in late 2014. The building is a rare example of Neo-Palladian Revival style. Canon G15, 1/1250 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Cathedral of Commerce


- Built in 1907 the three-story, Beaux-Arts style Monticello Arcade forms a protected pedestrian passageway between City Hall Avenua and Plume Street in downtown Norfolk Virginia. Basically it's a 105 year old shopping mall. The recent economic conditions have reduced the tenants somewhat but the architecture alone is worth a walk through. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, "HDR-ish" effect applied in Picasa version 3.9.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Night at The Wells


The Wells Theatre in Norfolk Virginia, opened on August 27, 1913. The poured-in-place, steel-reinforced concrete structure was technologically advanced for the period. The Wells' ornate decoration made the theatre the flagship of Wells Amusement Enterprises, and continues today as a well preserved example of Beaux-Arts Classicism, a National Historic Landmark and home to the Virginia Stage Company. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Wells

The ornate decoration of the Wells Theater in Norfolk Virginia is a well preserved example of Beaux-Arts neoclassicism. The grand theater has been home to the Virginia Stage Company since 1980. iPhone 4, Camera+ app.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Temples of Finance

- Early in the Twentieth Century banks were designed as imposing structures to instill confidence with depositors. This is the Virginia Club (formerly Virginia Bank and Trust) Building located at the corner of Granby and Main streets in Norfolk Virginia. Today it is home to Trilogy Bistro, one of our favorite downtown restaurants, and the Virginia Club one of Norfolk's oldest private social clubs. Completed in 1909 the building is excellent example of Beaux-Arts neo-classicism; an eclectic mix of classical Greek and Roman forms. Here you can see one of the engaged Ionic columns and Doric pilasters on the east facing facade. Next time you are walking down Granby Street look closely at the architectural details of the remaining classic downtown buildings. Too many have been lost recently but this restoration is worth a dinner at Trilogy just to see the inside and have a great meal. Canon G11, 1/1600 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 100.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Black and White Friday

- Black Friday calls for a black and white photo and a shopping theme. Before today's massive shopping malls were so popular, shopping arcades were commonplace in cities. These enclosed buildings housed shops on the first floor and offices above. Only two remain in Virginia including this one, the Monticello Arcade in Norfolk, Virginia. Built in 1907 the three-story, Beaux-Arts style arcade forms a protected pedestrian passageway in downtown. Canon G10, 1/60 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Commerce & Electricity

From Cleveland
- This sculpture by Daniel Chester French, famous sculptor of seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., is located at the front of the historic Beaux-Arts masterpiece that is the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse in Cleveland. Entitled "Commerce" it depictes a female figure holding a model ship in one hand while her other arm rests on a globe representing the opportunity for world trade. At her right is "Electricity," symbolized by a female figure holding a magnet catching electrical sparks. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, converted to black and white.