HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-01941_117 Iowa_StudioTeaRoomSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-01941 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Studio Tea Shop
other names/site number Joe's Place
2. Location
street & number 117 E. Iowa Avenue
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 80 Lot(s) part of Lot 2
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store 02G02 COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant/bar
02G02 COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant/bar
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
09F COMMERCIAL foundation
walls 03 BRICK
roof
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 117 E. Iowa Avenue Site Number 52-01941
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
01 ARCHITECTURE 1922 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Builder
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell, Architectural Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 10/2017
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This one-story, brick building was likely constructed in ca.1922; an increase in the width of the building
documented on fire insurance maps in 1912 and 1926, historic images documenting the building in 1915, and the
detail of the upper façade support a construction date at that time.
This mid-block commercial building is an example of a small vernacular commercial building with detailing
typical of the Broad Front form used for double width buildings during the 1920s (see the Sears, Roebuck & Co.
building at 111-113 E. College Street). Its front façade has a height of 15’ giving the building a slightly more
substantial street presence. The upper section of the front façade has a simple geometric design with tiles inset in
the charcoal colored brickwork. A cast stone coping caps the parapet. The storefront has been remodeled with
polychromatic brick, two square plate glass windows, and a signboard connecting it to the adjacent 115. A single
entrance door is recessed on the right-hand side. The building measures 20-ft. along the front and has a depth of
60-ft. The rear portion has tile walls but both sections have a flat composition roof (Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017 no significant changes are apparent from the 2001 description.
Image 01. View looking south across Iowa Avenue
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Constructed as a single, one-bay building, the property interior is now incorporated into the bar, Joe’s Place, along with the
flanking storefronts at 115 and 119. The façade at 117 is negatively impacted by the business sign it shares with 115.
However, the façade behind the sign remains autonomous.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
Image 02. View of the façade looking southwest from Iowa Avenue
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
The unsympathetic rehabilitation of the storefront along with the visual confusion created by the signage shared with 115,
adversely impacts the building’s historic integrity. Still, with retention of the upper wall façade visual autonomy is retained.
8. Statement of Significance
This building is located along Iowa Avenue near Old Capitol, a National Historic Landmark, and the Pentacrest, a
National Register historic district. The building is a fair example of a vernacular commercial building form dating
from the early 20th century, despite unsympathetic and non-historic storefront alterations. The building remains
sufficiently intact to be considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district under Criterion A in
association with the history of Iowa City commerce. Further, retention of the upper façade wall with its simplified
brickwork and cornice stands as an unusual example in the CBD; the façade at the Sears, Roebuck Co. building at
111-113 E. College Street being the other example. These stylistic features are representative of architectural
design in commercial buildings dating to ca.1915-1925. In this association, the building, as a contributing
resource, is significant under Criterion C.
As originally laid out, Block 80 of the Original Town Plat had lots in its northeast corner facing Iowa Avenue.
This street was planned as wide boulevard leading from Capitol Square to Governor’s Square on the west edge
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
the town. Its 120-ft. width made Iowa Avenue the widest thoroughfare in the Original Town Plat. With a city park
located between Dubuque and Linn Streets and most of the city’s churches located along and immediately north
of Iowa Avenue, commercial establishments were not as well-favored here as were public buildings.
Historical Background
As noted, an interpretation of fire insurance maps for 1920 and 1926 make it likely that this building was
constructed sometime between those years when the property was owned by Cass Youde. Youde bought this
parcel and the one immediately to the east in 1920-1921. In 1922 the occupant was no long Guy Lee, laundry but
the Studio Tea Shop (the historic name reflects that transition). Given the change in ownership, it is likely the
building dates to ca.1922.
In 1935 the property was transferred to a receiver and the following year Joesph and Harry Bremer, downtown
property owners and operators of a men’s clothing store, acquired the property. The property remains in the
Bremer family in 2000. Through the years this building has held a variety of establishments including a laundry
operated by Guy Lee in the 1920, a restaurant in 1933 and various retail shops. Since the 1980s it has held a
section of Joe’s Place, a bar which extends west into the adjacent building.
Image 03. Historic Image – View looking west from Iowa Avenue – 1915
(Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.)
Adjacent to the 115 storefront where motorcycles were sold we get a glimpse of the 1915 façade of the building at 117 – note
its zigzagging cornice. At that time, the building was occupied by a laundry (see blade sign). The 1912 fire insurance map
notes it as a Chinese laundry (Figure 01).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1912
(Source: Sanborn Company, 1912.)
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1926
(Source: Sanborn Company, 1926.)
In this 1926 fire insurance map, the building at 117 appears to be wider and not as deep as depicted in the 1912 map.
Further, while it had not done so previously, the 1926 map notes the building has a basement. These two facts,
along with a change in owner and occupant during this period, provide solid evidence that the earlier building
was replaced rather than given a new façade.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
Image 04. Historic Image – View looking southwest across Iowa Avenue – ca.1964
(Source: Iowa City Public Library.)
The building at 117 is seen in this view looking west along Iowa Avenue (between the small white building
and the 2-story, black Bushnagel Building). The decorative pattern on its upper façade wall makes the building easy to spot.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Summary Sheet, 117 East Iowa Avenue, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Iowa City Then & Now. Publisher unknown.
Mansheim, Gerald. Iowa City: an illustrated history. Norfolk, VA: The Donning Company, 1989.
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Un-named property. 52-0941.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Timeline
1919 City directory: 117 Iowa Guy Lee, laundry
1922 City directory: 117 Iowa Studio Tea Shop
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-01941
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Studio Tea Shop Johnson
Name of Property County
117 E. Iowa Avenue Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town, Block 80, West 21.5’ of Lot 2.
Assessor: 002+1010311010
Latitude/Longitude: 41.661180/-91.533822
Parcel Map - 2017
28 120132121-12311711023
1121
12410-12-14
32
19-21
24-26
9119
17
13-15
114-11612611115
16 1138
30
5
11818-20
22
7
128-130CLINTONDUBUQUEWASHINGTON
IOWA
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