Cheney Building facts for kids
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Cheney Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Cheney Building
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 Location in Connecticut
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| Location | 942 Main St. Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Architect | H. H. Richardson |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Part of | Department Store Historic District (ID95000284) |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002852 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 6, 1970 |
| Designated CP | March 23, 1995 |
The Cheney Building is a really cool old building in Hartford, Connecticut. It was designed by a famous architect named H. H. Richardson. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's also known as the Brown Thomson Building.
Contents
History of the Cheney Building
Early Days and Purpose
The Cheney Building was built between 1875 and 1876. It was made for the Cheney Brothers, who were famous for making silk. Their main business was in Manchester, Connecticut.
When it first opened, the building had many uses. The ground floor had five small shops. Above these shops, there were offices and apartments.
Famous Stores and New Uses
For many years, a big department store called Brown Thomson's was located here. Later, another well-known store, G. Fox and Company, took its place.
In 2007, the building got a new name, the Richardson Building. Today, it's a hotel called Residence Inn by Marriott. It also has offices, stores, restaurants, and even a rehearsal space for The Hartford Stage Company.
Unique Design and Look
The Cheney Building stands out on its corner. It has towers and an attic, making it look like it has five, six, or even seven stories.
The outside of the building is made of reddish brownstone. This stone is rough and gives the building a strong look. Lighter Berea limestone is used for trim, which creates a nice contrast.
Arches and Details
The building's front has three main sections. The lowest section has huge, round arches. These arches have striking bands of different colors. This arch design is repeated on the upper stories, but they get smaller as you go up.
On the ground floor facing Main Street, there are five wide arches. These arches are above the shop windows and doors. The second section has ten large openings, forming a two-story arcade. The third section has fourteen openings, making a single-story arcade.
The building's corners on Main Street have low, uneven towers. The tower on the street corner used to have a pyramid-shaped roof.
Gallery
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1905 postcard
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Historic image
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Facade
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Detail
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Detail
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Detail
