Built 1910 (1910) Opened 1910 Added to NRHP 10 April 1986 | NRHP Reference # 86000708 Architectural style Chicago school | |
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Location 207–215 E. Washington, Iowa City, Iowa Address 209 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA Similar Englert Theatre, Silos & Smokestacks National, Amana Colonies, University of Iowa Athletics, University of Iowa Museum | ||
The Paul–Helen Building is a historic building in downtown Iowa City, Iowa. The Chicago school building was the first part of a renewal of downtown Iowa City starting in the 1910s.
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History
The construction of the Paul–Helen Building coincided with a period of growth for Iowa City. The Paul–Helen was the first new building in the central business district in over 20 years. It is thought that it was designed and built by Frank X. Freyder, the owner of the Iowa City Planing & Molding Mill; Freyder designed several other city buildings of the era. The building was owned by the Schmidt–Kurz Improvement Company. G. W. Schmidt owned the Iowa City Iron Works and was an alderman. William Kurz owned a saloon on College Street. When the Paul–Helen was complted, Kurz moved his establishment into one of the storefronts. The main tenant was the Iowa City Gas & Electric Company, who remained from its completion until the late 1970s. The building was named after the children of the Schmidt–Kurz Improvement Company partners. Construction began in April 1910 and finished that December. The building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1986.
Architecture
The building was designed in the Chicago school. Typical of the style, the three-story building features steel framing. There are also Prairie School elements in the building with banded windows emphasizing the horizontal aspects. The cornice is likewise banded. It is adjacent to the Englert Theatre, completed three years later. The first floor has three retail spaces and the upper floors have office spaces.