Auditorium and Music Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Auditorium and Music Hall
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The building's exterior in 2013
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
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| Location | Portland, Oregon, USA |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Frederick Manson White |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003357 |
| Added to NRHP | 22 February 1980 |
The Auditorium and Music Hall is a historic building in Portland, Oregon, USA. It was designed by an English architect named Frederick Manson White. The building was finished in 1895 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This means it's an important place that is protected because of its history and design.
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History of the Building
The Auditorium and Music Hall building has been used for many different things since it was built in 1895. When it first opened, the ground floor had a business. The second floor was a dance hall, a place where people could gather and dance. The third floor was a small concert hall for music shows.
Later, a new owner changed things around. The third floor became apartments where people could live. The dance hall on the second floor turned into a boxing gym. It stayed this way until 1960.
Around the 1980s, an architectural company spent $2 million to update the building. They made the first floor look like its original design. They also created offices on the second and third floors for their own use. The top floor was rented out to other businesses.
What the Building Looks Like
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The Auditorium and Music Hall building is in downtown Portland. It's close to the waterfront area. You can find it on the east side of SW Third Avenue, between Salmon and Taylor Streets.
This building has four stories. Its foundation is made of strong materials like concrete and brick. The first floor is supported by timber walls and arches. The second floor, made of concrete and wood, is held up by iron columns. The roof has strong timber supports that stretch across the building. This design allowed for very tall ceilings in the concert room, which was about 27 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 72 feet long.
The building's style is called Romanesque Revival. This style was inspired by famous architects like Louis Sullivan and Henry Hobson Richardson. You can see this style in the front of the building, called the façade. Look for the special clay details on the arches of the third floor. There are also plant designs on the stone parts of the first floor. These designs are arranged in cool patterns and show the influence of Louis Sullivan.
The building also has parts of the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style. This style uses different colored stones to highlight doorways and windows. It creates a powerful look with simple blocks and shapes. You can see this strong, timeless design in the Auditorium building's front.
Why This Building is Important
The design of the Auditorium Building was greatly influenced by the social life in Portland. From the 1840s to the 1880s, Portland's population grew a lot. As more people moved to the city, they wanted more fun social and cultural activities.
Starting in the 1850s, people enjoyed things like music, theater, parties, and dances. As the city grew, these activities became even more popular. In 1883, the first transcontinental railway arrived in Portland. This made it easier for performers to travel to the city. More shows meant more demand for places to perform.
By 1890, Portland had six large theaters. They could seat about 6,200 people in total. There were also many smaller places for different kinds of entertainment. The Auditorium was one of these smaller buildings. It was perfect for smaller performances and gatherings. The architect, Frederick White, specifically included an auditorium and dance hall in his design. He wanted the building to fit the social desires of people at that time.
About the Architect
The architect who designed the Auditorium building was Frederick Manson White. He was born in Derby, England, on March 18, 1863. He studied architecture in Paris, France, at a famous school called the École des Beaux-Arts. There, he learned about French, English, and Spanish styles of architecture.
White moved to Portland, Oregon, and became a well-known architect there. He designed many famous buildings in the Portland area. Some of his other works include the Portland Armory, the First Presbyterian Church, the Dekum Building, and the Imperial Hotel. The Auditorium Building was his very first project that he designed all by himself. Its design shows how skilled and creative he was as an architect. White was especially known for his work in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
National Register of Historic Places
In February 1970, the Auditorium building was suggested by the Portland Historical Landmark Committee. It was then placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) list. This list helps protect important buildings from being torn down or changed too much.
The Auditorium building became part of the NRHP for a few reasons. First, it's a great example of the Romanesque Revival style. Second, its design is very important. Third, its location in downtown Portland is historically significant to the city's past.
