Nomination for Fabens Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries-complete applicable sections 1. Name For HCRS use only received JAN 2 9 1982 date enteref EB 25 1982 historic Fabens Building and/or common 2. Location Same street & number city, town Lynn 312-332 Union St: 312-344 Union Street N/A vicinity of code 025 county _ not for publication Fourth 6th. congressional district Essex state Massachusetts 3. Classification Category Ownership district - public X building(s) _private structure both site Public Acquisition object in process being considered code 009 Status - occupied .unoccupied _work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted .

no Present Use x agriculture - commercial educational entertainment -government industrial military .museum -park private residence . religious scientific transportation * other:multi-family 4. Owner of Property name Fabens Building Associates street & number c/o McNeil & Associates, Inc., 420 Providence Highway city, town Westwood N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Essex County Registry of Deeds street & number 32 Federal Street city, town Salem 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets title of the Commonwealth state Massachusetts has this property been determined elegible? X yes - no date May 1977 _federal X state _ county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7.

Description Fabens Building, Lynn Condition excellent X good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - unaltered X altered Check one X original site _ moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Fabens Building, with its rounded corner and "flat iron" plan, stands at the head of the Lynn Shoppers Mall which was formed by the closing of Union Street to automobile traffic between Silsbee Street and Central Square. The building dominates the entrance to the Mall and is visible from many vantage points in Lynn's downtown. The elevated section of the Boston and Maine Railroad runs near the southeast side of the building while the Mall lies to the northwest. The overall orientation of the building is to the south. The design of the Fabens Building, like other business blocks in the downtown, was the result of a design competition to which several local architects submitted plans. A design by H.W. Rogers & Son was chosen and was illustrated in the Lynn City Item of August 22, 1890. This design originally called for a beveled corner at the building's south end.

However, this detail was changed prior to construction since a downtown map of October 1890 shows the foundation laid and the building under construction with its present curved configuration. The main section of the Fabens Building is designed in a commercial adaptation of the late Romanesque Revival style with the rear section executed in a straightforward, late nine- teenth century commercial mode. The entire building is constructed of smooth, hard-fired brick with 1/8" joints executed in red-tinted lime mortar. The exterior masonry bearing wall surrounds an interior mill-type structural system of 3 X 14 wood joists supported by 8 X 14 wood girders. The roof construction is tar and gravel on wood decking, pitched to interior drains. The Fabens Building is 4 stories high and 33 bays wide with 19 bays comprising the main facade and 14 bays comprising the rear facade.

The main facade is characterized by 19 brick arches highlighted by rough-cut pink sandstone surrounds. These arches spring from simple, molded finished pink sandstone capitals, The blank, brick pilasters comprise the major vertical component of the facade. The verticality they impart is enhanced by the use of slender cast-iron mullions which separate the paired windows of each bay. The fenestration consists primarily of 5 1/1 sash with fixed rectangular transoms. The upper story windows are also 1/1 sash but with arched fixed transom lights with 16 panes. The original lower story fenestration has been marred by insensitive modern storefronts. The lower story originally consisted of piers dividing storefronts and carrying a metal fascia bond. The second story windows are linked together by a continuous lintel of rough- cut pink sandstone.

This lintel corresponds to the continuous projecting sill of the third story windows. Together they emphasize the horizontal curvature of the main facade and provide a base for the arches uniting the upper stories. A five foot high parapet rises above the arches and is articulated by a slender, molded brick belt course. The parapet is topped off with a molded brick, corbelled cornice with multiple, convex curvatures which provides not only a crisp, sculpted termination, but also emphasizes the sweeping curve of the overall "flat iron" configuration. The rear elevation of the Fabens Building does not continue thewide pilasters and sweeping ie tho storecone windows are Aighit phted wtth tsxcd transons wieh a sun motif fanlight.

The rest of the rear section is of utilitarian design with 14 bays of FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places nventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number 7 For HCRS use only received JAN 2 9 1982 date entered FEB 25 1982 Page mostly 6/2 sash. The rear of the Fabens Building has a light well which is approximately 2 bays wide and 7 bays deep. An enclosed pedestrian bridge at the third story level runs through the light well. The termination of the rear facade is delineated only by a thin, belt course and roof flashing.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 X 1800-1899 1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below _ archeology-prehistoric X community planning archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics _ architecture education art engineering X commerce exploration/settlement. communications industry _ invention _landscape architecture X - law literature military music -philosophy - politics/government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1890 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Henry W. Rogers & Son Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Fabens Building possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship, and is significant as a good local example of the Romanesque Revival commercial design. The building features two story arches with sandstone trim and brick pilasters in an unusually fine adaptation of a common motif in Lynn architecture of this period It 15 one of the most prominent buildings in the Burned District, the area of downtowt Lynn devastated by the great fire of 1889 and is further enhanced by its distinctive carved "flat iron" plan and its prominent location in the downtown. The Fabens Building meets criterion C of the NRHP.

The Fabens Building replaced two brick buildings and sheds which were destroyed in 1889 and was the case with several other business blocks in the area as the Fabens Building's plan was the result of a design competition to which several local architects submitted plans. A design by H.W. Rogers & Son was accepted and was illustrated in the Lynn City Item of August 22, 1890. The plan originally called for a beveled corner at the building's south end, resembling the H.A. and G. K. Pevear Block at Washington and Munroe Streets. However, this detail was changed prior to construction, for the downtown map of October 1890 shows the foundation laid and the building under construction with its present rounded corner. The building was built for William C. Fabens, a local judge, who was born in Marblehead.

Fabens, whose father was also a judge, attended Harvard Law School and opened a law office in Lynn early in his career. By 1889, he had been made an associate justice of the Lynn Police Court. Although Fabens lived in Marblehead throughout his life, he maintained his offices in this building. The building was constructed by C.G. Locke of Bradford, masons, and Joseph Breed's Sons, carpenters. Considered to be one of Roger's best designs, the Fabens Building was cited in his obituary.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References Lynn City Item, August 22, 1890, p. 2 Daily Evening Item, March 18, 1911, p. 13 Lynn Scrapbooks (unpublished), Vol. 50, p. 64 UIM NOTE VERUFIED ACREAGE NUI VEkritU 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name - Lynn UMT References 0.30 acres Quadrangle scale - 1: 25000 A LI19| [3|410| 1 20" [417/012/91810 Zone Easting Northing cullLLILu ELULIL LILILu GLULLILLLILILL Zone EasuingL -LLLILLI FLIJ LLILIL HLULLIL ILLL Northing LLuL LLLILLL Verbal boundary description and justification 312-332 Union St., Lynn, Mass. Central Square, bounded by Union St. and Boston & Maine Railroad. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By name/title Candace Jenkins, RegistratioDith Peter Conant, President, Urban Design Team, Inc Director organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date February, 1981 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 02108 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _ national - state local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature Patuua ZWeslowska 1/18/82 title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission date For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Entered in the National Regtster date 2/25/87 Doctn Keeper of the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date GPO 938 835 DUÉ 2/25/82- 3/15/82 Nate Eaben Bunomg Working Number 458-87-323 Nomination - Determination of Eligiblity _ On Nomination Form Maps 1/ Photos Nomination prepared by: State Staff Local _Other Fed Nom or Request-Agency Federal Register Date_ 2.783 B1dg(s) Within: -Site -Object _Multiple Resouree Area - Thematic Group Structure -District -- Entered in the Action: Hational Register Check if Appropriate: -REJECT_ - -Sgreredtion to honew I. Evaluation of Resource (cont. on back if necessary) II.

Evaluation of Nomination Good Adequate | Poor Comments 1. Descriptive Statement Short Format Yes No 2. Significance Statement Short Format _Yes _No 3. Concepts/Integrity 4. Concepts/Criteria 5. Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date National Park Service See Attached U.S. Department of the Interior DISCO TOP T SHIRT HDQRS. Beauty Makers Fabens Building Lynn Issex County FEB 25 1982 Massachusetts Photo Credit: Steffian- Bradley Associates Negatives filed: Steffian- Bradley Associates Identification: looking Northeast from Union St. Ma11.

Date: September 1979 loF4 JAN 2 9 1982 Fot Lyn Lode from Sept Fabens Building Lynn Essex County Massachusetts Photo Credit: Steffian-Bradley Associates Negatives Filed: Steffian- Bradley, Boston Identification: looking Northwest from eleva- ted tracks Date: September 1979 FEB 251982 JAN 2 9 1982 20F4 Fabens Building Lynn Essex County Massachusetts Photo Credit: Steffian-Bradley Associates Negatives Filed: Steffian-Bradley, Boston Identification: looking West from elevated tracks Date: September '79 30F4 FEB 251982 JAN 2 9 1982 Fabens Lynn, Wt ookin levated Sept. 19 939991 Fabens Building Lynn Essex County Massachusetts Photo Credit: Steffian-Bradley Associates Negatives Filed: Steffian-Bradley, Boston Identification: looking Southwest from rear parking lot Date: September 1979 FEB 251982 40F4 JAN 2 9 1982 Fabens f Lynn, Il Looking frou rear Sep.197 URBAN DESIGN TEAM, INC.

60 Grove Street - Wellesley, Massachusetts - 02181 November 14, 1980 Candice Jenkins Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington St. Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Ref: Fabens Building Union St. Iynn, Mass. Dear Ms. Jenkins, Enclosed please find our completed nomination form for the above referenced property. Included are six photographs, five from 1979 and one from 1893, and a recent USGS map of the area. Iwo copies of all materials are enclosed. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at 646-8454. We trust this application can be processed expeditiously with the appropriate authorities in Washington, D.C. very truly yours, URBAN DESIGN TEAM, INC. Consut Peter M. Conant, President copy to : Paul Tryder McNeil & Associates, Inc.

RECEIVED JAN 2 9 1982 NATIONAL REGISTER (617) 235 - 1415 Architecture Urban Design Development Wnir. FABENS BUILDING ASSOCIATES Addresc n MASSACHUSETTS HISTURICAL COMMISSION 294 WASHINGTON STREET Dear (Slllí: BOSTON, MASS. 02108 This will confirm 1hmt 1 am fully aware oacheifets oistogicer Coryin the National Register of Iistorie Places. I recognize that, under the National Historic Preservation Act, I am cutitlei to objcet to the proposed listing of my property by a notarized, written statcincnl. If I om the sole owner and I object, my property will not be listed. If there are muttipl. oruers of this property and a majority of the owners objeet, the property will not be listed. Following is the todress of my property: FABENS BUILDING 312-344 UNION STREET LYNN, MASS.

01901 eby waive my right to object to the proposed listing and notify you that I request ny property be listed in the National Register at the earliest possible date. Sincerely, Peter M. Conout FABENS BUILDING ASSOCIATES Peter M. Conant, General Partner c/o McNeil & Associates, Inc. 420 Providence Highway Westwood, Mass. 02090 O1LTI RECEIVED JAN 2 9 1982 NATIONAL RECSTER - = (J.' Oity of Lynn, Mausarhusetta Offire of the Mayar STUART S. DAVIS JR. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Antonio J. Marino Mayar CITY HALL 01901 (617) 598- 4000 RECEIVED JAII 11 1982 MASS. HIST. COMM. Ms. Patricia L. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Conmission Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 January 4, 1981 Dear Ms.

Weslowski: This will confirm that I am fully aware of the effects of listing a property in the National Register of Historic Places. I recognize that under the National Preservation Act, I am entitled to conment on the proposed listing of property within my jurisdication. Following is the proposed listing: Fabens Building 312-344 Union Street Lynn, Massachusetts 01901 I hereby waive my right to comment on the proposed listing. Sincerely yours, Cbat flmaine AJM/caa RECEIVED JAN 2 9 1992 HONAL REGISTER MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State January 18, 1982 Ms. Carol Shull, Acting Keeper National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of Interior Washington, D. C. 20243 Dear Ms.

Shull, Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Lynn: Fabens Building (local) Lynn: Mower's Block (local) Both have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Both nominations are supported by their owners and the City; copies of their conment. are enclosed. They have been determined eligible for listing in th national kegister by the secretary oi the Interior under Advisory Council procedures. Sincerely, Candace fenkins Candace Senkin Registration Director Massachusette Historical Conmission RECEIVED JAN 2 9 1982 NATIONAL REGISTER ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered FEB 25 1982 Name Fabene Bullding Location Lynn Essex County Howers' B1ock Lynn Essex County Also Notified Honorable Paul E. Tsongas Honorable Edvard M.

Kennedy Monorable Nicholae Mavzoules Mid-Atlantic Region, NPS North Atlantie Region, NPS Mailed copy of notification to: State Historie Preservation Officer Its. Patricia I. Veslowaki Enecutive Director, Massachusetts Istorical Conmisaion 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Samayla Deutch Sherburne, Powers, and Needham, 1 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108 For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343 640%. LNR Eady/mc 2/26/82 272-3504