Kresge Building (Augusta, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kresge Building
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Location | 241-249 Water St., Augusta, Maine |
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Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
Built | 1932 |
Architectural style | Moderne |
MPS | Augusta Central Business District MRA |
NRHP reference No. | 86001693 |
Added to NRHP | May 2, 1986 |
The Kresge Building is an old and special building in downtown Augusta, Maine. It's located at 241-249 Water Street. This building was built in 1932 to be a big department store. It's a great example of a unique style called Moderne architecture. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
About the Kresge Building
You can find the Kresge Building on Water Street in Augusta. This street is a main shopping area. The building is on the east side, between Bridge and Front Streets.
It's a two-story building made from strong materials like brick and granite. On the first floor, there are two shop entrances. The main building entrance is on the far left. It has a fancy bronze cover over it.
Below the big glass shop windows, you'll see shiny granite. This granite also goes up the sides of the building. Bronze frames surround the windows. This bronze also frames the store name above the awnings. The sign used to say "Stacy's" in a cool, old style called Art Deco.
The second floor has pairs of windows. Each window has its own awning. They share stone sills and brick tops. The window pairs are separated by decorative pillars. A colorful brick pattern runs across the top of the building.
History of the Kresge Building
The Kresge Building was built in 1932. It replaced an older building that looked like its neighbors. When it first opened, the ground floor was home to S.S. Kresge's. This was a popular department store. The second floor had offices for different businesses.
Since it was built, the Kresge Building has been one of the most unusual buildings in downtown Augusta. Its unique design makes it stand out.