Skinner Building (Albuquerque, New Mexico) facts for kids
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Skinner Building
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Skinner Building, May 2010
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| Location | 722 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | A.W. Boehning |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004485 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 22, 1980 |
The Skinner Building in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a really cool old building. It's famous for its amazing Art Deco style, which was popular a long time ago.
It was built in 1931 and used to be a grocery store owned by J.A. Skinner. A local architect named A.W. Boehning designed this special building.
The building is made of brick. Its front, on the north and west sides, is covered with shiny white terra cotta tiles. Outside, you can see lots of fancy decorations. These include tall, grooved towers, cool metal grill work, colorful stained glass, and interesting geometric shapes.
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Skinner Building: A Historic Treasure
The Skinner Building is considered one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Albuquerque. This means it shows off the unique style of buildings from the 1920s and 1930s.
What is Art Deco Architecture?
Art Deco is a design style that was popular from the 1920s to the 1940s. It uses bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and fancy decorations. Think of sleek lines, zigzags, and sunburst patterns.
Buildings in this style often look very modern and stylish. They were meant to show off progress and luxury. The Skinner Building has many of these classic Art Deco features.
Recognized as a Special Place
The Skinner Building is so important that it was added to two special lists in 1980. These lists help protect historic places.
Being on these lists means the building is recognized for its historical and architectural value. It helps make sure it stays around for future generations to enjoy.
A Modern Balcony Addition
In 2001, a new balcony was added to the Skinner Building. This was a bit of a debate at the time. The city's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission approved it by a very close vote. One person on the commission even quit because they disagreed with the decision.
To make sure the new balcony didn't change the original historic building, it was designed in a special way. The city required that the balcony be freestanding. This means it doesn't actually touch the Skinner Building itself. It stands on its own, right next to the building.
