Nomination for Cleveland Discount Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service AUG 19 1991 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property other names/site number 2. Location street & number not for publication city, town zip code 44114 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property XI private X building(s) Structure Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 0 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. Signature of certifying official State or Federal agency and bureau Signature of commenting or other official National Park Service Certification 1, hereby, certify that this property is: Ventered in the National Register. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet.

determined not eligible for the other, (explain:) - Date of Action code site vicinity Date Registration Form NATIONAL public-local public-State object public-Federal 036 district Cleveland Total 8-13-91 REGISTER state Ohio Noncontributing Superior Building National Register of Historic Places Cleveland Discount Building historic name See continuation sheet. National Register. 815 Superior Avenue N.E. removed from the National Register. (Rev. 8-86) N/ALJ and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets In my opinion, the property L Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) 7. Description foundation _ a 12story lower building with modernized facades at the corner of East 9th and Superior.

To the west is a parking lot and then the Federal Reserve Bank, a 10 story Classical Behind this building is Rockwell Avenue, a narrow side street. On the interior a central and a western entrance lead from Superior Avenue to the large lobby. Elevators are along the west wall and have elaborate brass doors. The walls of of the ground floor, which was once an open three story banking room for the original few floors, where it has been taken off. Above the 21st floor is a low windowless floor Composition roof other sub-basement. Classical Revival Architectural Classification Poured Concrete (enter categories from instructions) walls Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Describe present and historic physical appearance.

See continuation sheet Materials (enter categories from instructions) eighty foot facade along Superior Avenue which is elaborately ornamented in Classical Brick Veneer plainly finished with no windows exposed. Its center section rises up an additional 6. Function or Use terra cotta trim.Windows in the long center section are grouped in pairs between downtown Cleveland.It stands near the corner of East 9th and Superior Avenue and adjoins Granite & Terra Cotta Trim Revival style building designed by the architects of the Cleveland Discount Building. which houses mechanical equipment storage.The building has both a basement and a formed of terra cotta and supported by decorative terra cotta capitals below.Above this has the same elaborate cornice on top.

stories above the street..Above the entablature are a row of simple double-hung windows the third floor on the east side the building indents to a point halfway through its width The building's plan is the form of a rectangle measuring 80 feet by 200 feet.The of the hall and are plainly detailed.The hallways are faced with marble, except for a the walls and cornice are the same as on the facade.The west side of the building is brickwork.At the top of the 17th floor is a slightly projecting decorative balustrade COMMERCIAL/Office The rear of the building is quite plain, but also pilasters capped by large and elaborate Corinthian capitals.These support a massive window.Spandrels between the windows on each floor are faced with elaborate corbelled detailing of this room has been destroyed.The upper floors feature long hal lways leading balustrade are 3 more floors of windows grouped in pairs but separated by broader Windows face into this light well on the upper floors and between 2 massive piers at either end.

These all support a large-scale entablature three building has a height of 240 feet 6 inches from the street level.This building has an the facing material changes to brick.This isa glazed light brick with glazed white This isa 21 story fireproof masonry and steel building located on a major street in entablature with a stretched frieze containing a row ofwindows for the top floor.Above to form a broad "c" in plan.w 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance Significant Dates Cultural Affiliation Significant Person Walker & Weeks, Architects Craig Curtis Company, Contractors architecture, representing an interpretation in the classic "base-shaft-capital" approach Midwest in the early 20th century for its designs for tall office buildings, banks and public bulldings, the Cleveland Discount Building displays that firm's mastery of the field of mortgage banking. from a tall base, which in the case of the Cleveland Discount Building takes the reassuringly bank-like form of the temple, with massive Doric columns set in antis. Upper Building uses a more subtle vertical device which Sullivan first perfected in the Bayard it a soaring vertical grandeur in the Sullivan tradition.

Briefly Cleveland's tallest building, the Cleveland Discount Building was surpassed later X See continuation sheet Architecture 1920-1922 Architect/Builder Commerce slender and more massive piers, recessed decorative spandrels, massive capitals near the Josiah Kirby This building is a significant example of early 20th century Neo-classical skyscraper building was able to express its basic structural form within the classical vocabulary of Building (New York,1898).Instead of having equal columns spaced between the windows, to tall building design which was first introduced in the 1890s.Through this idiom the entablature are all features first employed by Louis Sullivan in his widely hailed 1891,Adler & Sullivan) summed up the principles he articulated in his classic essay "The pride of exaltation must be in it.It must be every inch a proud and soaring thing, Dlocally Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above.

architecture. Designed by Walker and Weeks, a Cleveland firm renown throughout the top of the building, the incorporation of the top floor windows into a gigantic the Keith Building is tempered by its broader base, its basically horizontal arrangement nationally floor windows are grouped vertically by soaring pilasters.But the Cleveland Discount The classic skyscraper style:Architect Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building (St.Louis, rising in sheer exaltation that from top to bottom it is a unit without a single 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Cleveland City Building Permit, May 1, 1920 Cleveland Press; June 6, 1932 Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987, PP. 594, 1023 - See continuation sheet Xi preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) Primary location of additional data: has been requested Lx State historic preservation office previously listed in the National Register Other State agency previously determined eligible by the National Register recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # recorded by Historic American Engineering Specify repository: Record # Geographical Data Acreage of property less than one UTM References Verbal Boundary Description 11. Form Prepared By organization - 3515 Archwood Avenue street & number _ _ state - University date Other Federal agency Easting Van Tassel, David and Grabowski, John, editors, Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

Zone Northing Cleveland telephone Local government Ohio Steven McQuillin & Associates The parcel containing this building is contiguous with the ground plan of the September 1989 features or buildings in any way related to the building have been excluded name/title The nominated property consists of Permanent Parcel Number 10l-05-011 Boundary Justification designated a National Historic Landmark Previous documentation on file (NPS): city or town (216) 749-3515 Cleveland Plain Dealer:Jan.29,1922;June 19,1937;January 3,1968 - zip code 44109 Superior Building.No other structures are included in the nomination and no NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Continuation Sheet Cleveland Discount Building, 815 Superior Avenue NE, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio of office floor windows and its somewhat top-heavy multi-story arched openings at the similar height, but its much broader base and more elaborate gothicized terra cotta (1927, Hubbel| & Benes) is, at 25 storles, taller than the Cleveland Discount Building and concern for light and alr which was by the 1920-1930s making the full lot size, slab-like (1920, Graham, Anderson, Probst & White) measures 100 feet square by about 250 feet in primarily on the slender facade.

prestigious architectural firm, having designed during their forty years of active Review ef the Mississippi River Basin, Summer 1930 issue, "the firm of Walker and Weeks is recognized as being instrumental, to a large degree, in the development of a fine style of traces the remarkable career of these architects and analyzes many of their works. Cleveland Public Auditorium (1922), Severance Hall (1931), Federal Reserve BulIding (1923) and Cleveland Municipal Stadium (1930s).

Josiah Kirby: Born in 1883 in Wyoming, Ohio, Kirby came to Cleveland in 1911with almost no money after the failure of a deyelopment scheme in Wyoming, where he had also been Discount Company which, at the time, with $10 million in assets, was the second largest National Register of Historic Places Indianapolis,but even an Ohio War Memorial in Belgium.According to the Architectural progress by Mr.Johannesen at his untimely death in 1990 and may soon be published.1t exterior.But its series of setbacks impart a totally different character,echoing the (8-86) because of their important works in all major Ohio cities aswell as in other parts of the height.Of course,Cleveland Discount Building has a width of 2o0 feet so it is not simply a shaft.

However, its mid-block location, unusual in Cleveland, where other practice in the early to mid-20th century many buildings which are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to noted Cleveland architectural architecture In the Mid-West." A comprehensive book on the firm of Walker & Weeks was in While not the tallest or the most elaborate building designed by the firm, the Cleveland mayor at the age of 21. He began his controversial 50 year business career in Cleveland Midwest.Their achievements included not only the Indiana World War Memorial in conspicuous hometown building,Walker & Weeks were able to demonstrate the talents in as a life insurance agent with offices in the Rockefeller Building.He had some financial Section number 8 profile of buildings such as the Cleveland Discount Building obsolete.

The Architects:Walker &Weeks have long been recognized as perhaps Cleveland's most historian EricJohannesen "by 1930,Walker & Weeks had achieved a regional reputation top.The Standard Building & Elllott) is another Cleveland building of Page 2 NPS Form 10-900e OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Cleveland Discount Building, 815 Superior Avenue NE, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio Section number - D.

Rockefeller to sell the Rockefeller Building to him, which was then renamed the Kirby In the booming 1920s, conservative banking institutions were slow to respond to the need screened and packaged and bought and sold, a practice very widely in use today, but new at Through his creative and what ultimately proved to be freewheeling business style, Kirby had expanded Cleveland Discount into the largest company of its kind in the U.S. with capital of $37 million by 1921, the year he began construction of this building. Cleveland Yacht Club where he served as its commodore. It was regarded as one of the nation's finest such clubs before it was liquidated as a result of a series of bad business failures but was released through acquittal, or the failure of the jury to agree Battisti who remarked that only Kirby's advanced age prevented him from serving more time. Josiah Kirby died in 1964.

supervision. Page National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet and market rigging along with two other individuals.He was barred from selling for capital for large construction projects. The Cleveland Discount Company was one of and remains in operation. the company's demise. by the Securities and Exchange Commission.He was placed on five years probation by Judge Building.It is told that when John D. Rockefeller Sr.found out about the sale and saw On February 23,1923,the Cleveland Discount Company was taken over by receivers.An reportedly netting Kirby a handsome profit in 1923. to establish the principle of the secondary mortgage market, where mortgage notes were Cleveland Discount Building, planned as the city's tallest structure and designed by an already noted architectural firm specializing in Banks and public bulldings, was a company's assets were sold.

Kirby's financlal collapse also affected the 1,600 member Kirby underwent several trials in Ohio courts during the 1920s, in relation to his on his gullt. In a second federal trial Kirby was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in federal securities in 1949 and also served a 10 month prison term. After release, he returned to Investments in new buildings made under Kirby's leadership. The club later reorganized the time.In the days before stricter banking regulations,Cleveland Discount Company and (8-86) Cleveland Discount shareholders charging mismanagement and misuse of funds that had led to Released from prison in 1932,Kirby resumed his business career in Cleveland but also tangible affirmation that Kirby had become a major financial force in Cleveland.

Cleveland.In 1962,at the age of 80,Kirby was the subject of a contempt complaint filed prison for mail fraud and jury tampering.Civil charges were also brought against him by UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF 45TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N N SLR DRAFT: Y NATIONAL PARK COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS : 8/19/91 10/03/91 9/20/91 DATE MULTIPLE PROPERTY RETURN ACCEPT PERIOD: OTHER: SAMPLE: PDIL: Cleveland Discount Building DATE RECEIVED: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REFERENCE NUMBER: APPEAL:N DATA PROBLEM: N DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y, 91001416 LANDSCAPE:N RECOM./CRITERIA _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION _current _architectural classification _summary paragraph _completeness _clarity _applicable criteria _relating significance to the resource _context _relationship of integrity to significance -justification of exception _acreage _verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _photographs - presentation Period FUNCTION materials DESCRIPTION historic BIBLIOGRAPHY Builder/Architect CLASSIFICATION SIGNIFICANCE Signed Date Phone Specific dates descriptive text Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to _count GEOGRAPHICAL DATA OTHER COMMENTS Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Statement of Significance one paragraph) _other USGS maps _sketch maps UTMS _justification of areas checked Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs.

in photographer's collection front and east side, looking northwest SB-1 Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs. in photographer's collection west wall, looking east SB-2 Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs. in photographer's collection east wall and rear wall, looking southwest SB-3 BUILDING Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs. in photographer's collection closeup view of the front, looking north SB-4 Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs. in photographer's collection closeup view of the rear wall, looking southeast SB-5 Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs.

in photographer's collection first floor elevator lobby, looking north SB-6 Superior Building, Cleveland, Ohio Steven McQuillin, photographer April 1990 negs. in photographer's collection SB-7 typical upper floor elevator floor),looking north UNITED STATES 17-442400-4594600 CLEVELAND NORTH QUADRANGLE Nº:30-W8137.5/7.5 1963 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (216) 771-3995 OHIO-CUYAHOGA CO. Ohio Historic Preservation Office G 19 1991 Ohio Historical Center 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497 SINCE 1885 August 13, 1991 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Dear Carol: Enclosed are (3) new National Register nominations. Please note that the Residence of Gerald B. and Beverly Tonkens nomination is being submitted for have been followed for these new submissions.

New Submission Residence of Gerald B. and Robinson, Byron, W. Res idence Please contact me if you have any questions. WRL/ jw: dh SOCIETY Cuyahoga HISTORICAL 614/297-2470 County nrohp/trans.rev NATIONAL Fax:297-2411 Enclosures Sincerely, Cleveland Discount Building Beverly Tonkens Summit Department of the Interior document to the NHL office for consideration. All notification procedures Htstoric Preservation Officer