BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
VdeeueATalmage 317/58 MAR 141988 MA Shpo AREA FORM NO. FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 Town Worcester (MRA ammendment) Address 652-660 Main Street Historic Name Aurora Hotel Photo (3"x3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s).
Indicate north Use: Present _ Vacant Original Residential hotel and stores DESCRIPTION Date 1897-1898 Source Building notices style- Classical Revival Architect Barker and Nourse Exterior Wall Fabric white marble and brick Outbuildings none 20000 EROMG STPL9 WORCESTER CITY HAI COMMON WHITE TONER 3 RESTAURAA AURORA HOTEL Major Alterations (with dates) interior and storefronts: 1929, 1947 Condition Exterior - fair to good Interior - poor Moved No Date Acreage less than one acre Setting Located on edge of central business district in a run-down commercial neighborhood.
UTM REFERENCE_19/268600/4682170 USGS QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:25000 Worcester North Recorded by Claire Dempsey Organization Massachusetts Historical Commission Date November 1987 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The Aurora Hotel is a well-preserved example of the Classical Revival style designed by the Worcester architectural firm Baker and Nourse. The Aurora Hotel is representative of the urban architecture in Worcester during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. It retains integrity of location, design, materlals, association, and workmanship and meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.
The Aurora Hotel possesses the distinctive characteristics of high-quality late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century commercial architecture of the Classical Revival Style. Much of its detailing was clearly custom designed, and the high quality materials and finish of its facade are expressive of its function as a leading hotel in the community. Although the loss of some detailing is unfortunate, the exterior still retains its integrity due to the strength of the overall design and the many key details. continued HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. The Aurora Hotel is located at 652-660 Main Street in the City of Worcester.
In 1897-1898 when the hotel was originally constructed, the South Main Street area was predominantly an urban residential neighborhood on the edge of the downtown commercial core. Trinity Methodist Church (demolished in 1930) was located next door to the north, and several other substantial brick apartment buildings were being built in the neighborhood. In 1906, both the Worcester Boys Club and the Odd Fellows Building were constructed nearby. Most likely owner and builder, Charles Stevens, was the son of Charles P. Stevens, an born in Worcester in 1855, attended Harvard Law School, and shortly after his admission to the bar was appointed a Justice of the Peace (1878). Between 1878 and 1900, Stevens practiced law in Worcester, eventually retiring from practice to manage his extensive estate holdings.
continued BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Engineering and Building Record, Vol.' XXXV, 2/20/1987 (building notice). Builder's Weekly, Vol. I, 10/02/1987, p.3 (building notices) Barker and Nourse, Illustrations. (1898) illustrated, pages unnumbered. Nutt, C., History cf Worcester. Worcester's Best, Elliot B. Knowlton, editor, 1984. INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: Worcester Form No: Property Name: Aurora Hotel Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Architectural Significance (continued) The Aurora Hotel is a major work of one of the primary architectural firms practicing in Worcester in the late-nineteenth century.
The firm, Barker and Nourse (1880-1902), was responsible for many of Worcester's major buildings of this period, including the Worcester Historical Society, the Day Building, English High School, the Bliss Building, and the Boynton and Windsor apartment blocks. The Aurora is an especially significant Classical Revival design in contrast to the remainder of their work in the Romanesque Revival style. The detailing of the facade is executed in an eclectic version of the Classical Revival Style typical of commercial buildings of this period. As the building was to be a high quality hotel of some pretension, the detailing was unusually varied and exuberant. The upper five floors of the primary facade of this six story building are faced with white marble in a symmetrical composition with two curved bays, originally clad in copper, rising to a projecting copper cornice.
The spandrels at each level of the copper bays were executed in different designs rather than being uniform from top to bottom. The lowest three each had different panels deeply embossed with classical foliate and swag motifs. The central panel between the second and third floors was of the mythical figure Aurora in her chariot bringing in the dawn. The windows in these bays are composed of a central l/l double hung sash flanked by curved 1/1 sash windows The central portion of the facade between the projecting copper bays is organized to rise as a series of free style orders complete with entablatures. Floors two through five have two sets of paired windows, with the windows set at a slight angle divided by a central mullion with a single colonette.
The second floor is composed of two paired windows divided by a single heavy marble pilaster with a Romanesque capitol and a simple but massive entablature and cornice across the top. Floors three and four are united by three central colonettes rising between the paired windows to a denticular cornice and entablature above the fourth floor. The spandrels between the windows are slightly curved marble panels with carved classical swags. The fifth floor windows are framed by more simple pilasters without a cornice. The sixth floor is composed of four individual windows with brick arches separated by small marble pilasters, separated from the lower floors by a molded beltcourse at the base of its windows. In the central section, a panel with the building's name "Aurora" is defined by the addition of a second lower belt course.
The first floor was originally composed of four similar plate-glass storefronts with a central recessed entry to the hotel. The outer two stores were entirely contained in one-story wings that projected from the sides of the main block of the building. The storefronts and entry were united by a single cast-iron sign bank and denticular cornice just below the second floor. continued Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Conmmity: Worcester Form No: Property Name: Aurora Hotel Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Architectural Significance (continued) The storefronts have been through numerous changes, and today exhibit major elements dating from 1929 thru the 1950s.
Remnants of the original storefronts include cast-iron piers at each end and the cast-iron sign band and cornice on the main block. In 1920, two storefronts in the main block were altered when the two central cast-iron piers were changed to larger; round cast-iron piers. In 1929, all four storefronts and main entry were changed to a Colonial Revival design executed in tapestry brick. The marquee was added under the main block to unify the facade, and a large design was painted on the west side of the building. These changes were part of an overall renovation of the interior. The main entry survives as the right central storefront; and tapestry brick of the left central and far right storefront survives. In 1937, the left central storefront (#656 and #658) was changed to the Art Deco Rora Bar.
In 1947, the far left storefront (#660) was changed to the Moderne style with the figure of Aurora inlayed into the terrazzo cladding. The marguee and signage of the main block was altered to conform to the Moderne Style of #660. The far right storefront was altered with new aluminum and red panel glazing system at this time, or perhaps later in the 1950s. These changes reflect new ownership, and all these latest elements remain intact. The upper five floors survive intact with most of their detail, except the copper on the front facade bays which was sold as scrap metal in 1982, by the last private owner before the building was acquired by the City of worcester for tax title.
The deeply projecting copper cornice and the white marble of the front facade both turn the corners and run back about thirteen feet along the side facades before merging into the plain brick of the side elevations. The side elevations are of more utilitarian design, but still utilize white marble for their sills and lintels with rounded bullnose brick to define the window jambs. The cornice loses most of its bold projection and is composed entirely of brick. The rear facade is purely utilitarian, having a plain wooden porch with wood egress stairs running across most of its length. Originally the building was entered through a recessed entry at the center of the facade. A small vestibule led immediately into a central open staircase accessed from open corridors off the central stairwell. It is not clear ceesed sron opani e0r:iaa-2e de the centrat geaie..
The hotel rooms and suites were whether there were any formal public rooms. It may be that originally the hotel was primarily an apartment hotel. Other than a very few trim elements, the overall floor plan of the upper stories, and the framework of the central stair, virtually nothing of the original interior survives. In 1929, the entire interior was completely remodeled to become oñe of the premier hotels of downtown Worcester. The entry location was changed to the right central side of the main block, and led through a progression of large public lobby spaces to several restaurants and a bar on the main floor, a new continued Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Conmmity : Worcester Form No: Property Name: Aurora Hotel Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
Architectural Significance (continued) Art Deco style function room in the basement, and a large sitting room on the second Iloor. The original main staircase continued to be used. The rooms were remodeled, and probably had the existing private baths installed at this Except for a Spanish style restaurant and bar entered off the street the left central storefront, the public spaces were in a formal Colonial Revival style. The basic plan survives from this period, but the finishes in most spaces are in extremely poor condition or missing. In 1947, the building was again remodeled, with the major interior changes The Spanish style restaurant was also redecorated to be consistent with the 1937 Art Deco bar adjoining it, which was also redecorated. These changes survive in plan, but most finishes are missing or are in very poor condition.
Changes since 1947 have included the complete enclosing of the central stairwell with sheet rock to meet current codes. The floor plan of 1929, as modified in 1947, survives largely intact. However, the removal of most architectural trim for salvage material in 1982 by the last private owner destroyed the architectural integrity of most surviving interior finishes and spaces. In 1982, the Hotel was closed, and the property taken by the City of Worcester for nonpayment of back taxes. Current plans call for the renovation of the Hotel by a private developer into 85 studios and one-bedroom low-income housing units with community rooms and commercial office space on the first Eloor. Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. proximity (within one mile) to the property.
potential for significant archaeological remains, either prehistoric or se sreh o agioat Eo a ns, oLe One known site is reported in close historic, seems low, as a result of small lot size and the impacts of building ca a rosult de tmal tol tze ana the lapacets o bultatng construction on the lot. Staple to Inventory form at botton INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: Worcester Form No: Property Name: Aurora Hotel Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Historical Significance (continued) During the first third of the twentieth century, the area gradually developed a more commercial character as an extension of the downtown business district to the north, and the Aurora was made into a first-class hotel.
public spaces were installed in 1929, fully described in a December 28, 1929 article in the Worcester Gazette. is indicative of the importance of the hotel to the community. The Aurora was frequently utilized for important social events and public gatherings. Typical of many other New England industrial cities, by the late 1950s, Worcester had entered a period of economic decline as industries moved south in search of cheaper labor, and its population moved to nearby suburbs. Motels were replacing older urban hotels as the standard form of accommodation for travelers. During the 1950s and 1960s, Worcester's extended business district retreated back into the central core on the northern portion of Main Street.
The neighborhood around the Aurora Hotel rapidly declined, and the Aurora became a transient roominghouse Number of Resources within Property Buildings Contributing: Noncontributing: 1 Sites 0 0 Structures 0 0 Objects 0 0 Total 1 0 Boundary Justification The boundary of the nominated property includes the lot historically associated with the Aurora Hotel. Staple to Inventory form at bottom NPS Form10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form MB No. 1024-001 Exp.
10-31-8 For NPS use only received 5-3-4 date entered Continuation sheet Item number Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Page / M/ dnr-11 Name State Worcester Multiple Resource Area Worcester County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review Worcester Corset Company Factory Keeper Date/Signature towe ha bmegel co Substantive Review Attest 2. Malvern Road School Keeper Subetantire Review Bomcar ha Dragat o-54 Attest 3. Claremont Street Historic District substautive Review Keeper 4. Richmond, Willard, Apartment Block 5. Russell (The) 16. Aurora Hotel) 7. Holy Name of Jesus Complex 8. Vendome and the St. Ives 9. (.
Shaarai Torah Synagogue Attest Entered in the Keeper DelmByun11/1/85 National Regiater Attest Entered 1n tbe ftreeper 20t20ng220c18te Seleus Byen 112/85 Attest Substantive Review forkcepoer Patrick Andun spale Attest BetlXSaunge 4/3/38 apakeporeloueßgu 44518r Attest susstantive RorpricopBet Sarge 2-0g Entefled in the piational Regist feeper STetye Attest 10. Keeper Attest UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET 88000429 Aurora Hotel (Worcester MRA) Worcester County MASSACHUSETTS Substantive Review - resubmission - nomination by person or local government - owner objection -appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: Jrequest Jappeal MAR | A 1988 Working No. Fed. Reg.
Date: 27 89 Date Due: - 4/04/88 418/88 Action: - LACCEPT - 4-28-88 - RETURN _REJECT Federal Agency: - TNR decision accepk AtC Savase ichitestural Aistony also for dts historical wole as one of see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _ _technical corrections cited below doontown Derastens the late interior 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? 7. Description Condition -excellent -good -fair -deteriorated Druins J unexposed L yes Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance J summary paragraph - completeness - clarity -alterations/integrity -dates - boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use - no Check one -unaltered Daltered Check ona -original site moved date 8.
Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) -summary paragraph L completeness - clarity -applicable criteria -justification of areas checked Jrelating significance to the resource context -relationship of integrity to significance -justification of exception -other S9von 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name. UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _national _state State Historic Preservation Officer signature _local title date 13. Other -Maps -Photographs -Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed.
- Date Phone: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Aurora Hotel 653-660 Main Street worcester, MA, MRA AURORA HOTEL 652-660 Mair Street Worester, MA CHANDLER (1927 RELOC. PUPLIC BO WIDEI STREET NIF LIF HEALIY TRUST RUSDC CORMER ENCROACHMEN O.JENCROASHMENT LI ENSBRACHMEND 4913600 E-169.05 FOIE Te ONG CORNER MURRAY 11927 L0C PUBLIC GO WIDE) AVENUE -FRC. DAIL- MOLES ON EXTENDED PHOPERTY LINE &2 LINE OF MURRAT AVE WANITE CUR CON MET MAL -r.
m, - NG$1600L - KONK RET MALL CONCHETE SRLMLA ISTORY STORY BHICK BLDG OLD BROKEN ASPHALT DIRT OTAL PARCEL AKLA 106.96 MAIN IPUBLIVSTABLEWSTREET OLQ ASPILAL T HENOSA CO >/ NEW BINDER COAI ISTORY 198.62 - STORY BHICK MIR 193.68 Yeue etd ESOFEXSTIC LMES C FANA 2 9 1 15 l -ANEAD MENSHE ON 63.05 TNE CiCE AES DOD ALRS BELA PULPAREO IN COMFONMITY DITI MIMMaISTaI DEROS OF TAA ONMAGDDCALTA ON MASSACHUSETTI Wlkn2inby a18 y: 1: 12 bb cEr 1 9e! 130 P6 25 COMUTEP BV W.AA WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS P 093545969 URLAATY AVELE The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of State Michael Joseph Connolly, Secretary Massachusetts Historical Commission Valerie A. Talmage Executive Director State Historic Preservation Officer March 1, 1988 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O.
Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the nomination forms for the following properties: Districts Boston, Temple Place Historic District Milton, Milton Centre Historic District Sterling, Sterling Center Historic District Wellesley, Hunnewell Estates Historic District Weston, Wellington Farm Historic District Individual properties Boston, Dorchester Lower Mills Branch Library, 1110 Washington Street Oxford, Huguenot Fort, Fort Hill Road Worcester (Worcester MRA), Aurora Hotel, 652-660 Main Street 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 They have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment.
No comments have been received to date. We request the expedited review of the Hunnewell Estates Historic District, Wellesley. Sincerely, Berzy Fusdlierg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission BF/es Enclosure