HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-02809_120 E Washington_BremersSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02809 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 Bremer's Building
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 120-122 E. Washington Street
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 7
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 02B03 COMMERCE/TRADE/professional/law office
02G COMMERCE/TRADE/restaurant
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
08 MODERN MOVEMENT foundation 10B CONCRETE/Poured
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 120-122 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02809
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 1964 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
05 COMMERCE
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
William R. Wagner Builder
Burger Construction
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 11/2017
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 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This two-story commercial building was placed in service in 1964 following a 1963 fire that destroyed the
previous Bremer’s building.
The double-wide commercial building occupies a mid-block position along the north side of E. Washington Street
between S. Clinton and S. Dubuque streets. It replaced a much altered version of the 19th century “Phoenix
Block,” a 3-story, stone clad Romanesque Style building. It was reported in 2001 that Knowel Willis Powers, who
was with the firm of Moore and Bouse Associates at the time, designed the replacement building. News accounts,
however, contradict that information noting William R. Wagner as the architect (2017).
The current building contains a wide recessed entrance area with plate glass display windows to either side and
the entrance door set off center to the left. The lower sections of the display windows and the entrance floor are
clad in square tile. The display windows and entrance area comprise a 1-story section of the building with a flat
roof. An awning spanning the full width of the buildings is mounted above the display windows and entrance
opening on the first floor with a simple metal horizontal member at the roof edge. The 2-story section of the
building begins approximately 6’ back from the sidewalk. Three vertical sections clad in exposed aggregate are
centered on the upper level with red brick covering the balance of the front and sidewalls of adjacent buildings.
Three pairs of single-light fixed sash windows are located in each section of exposed aggregate. The building has
no cornice. The building has remained unchanged since prior to 1981. The building measures 42’ across the front,
has a depth of 140’, and a flat composition roof. A portion of the rear 70’ of the building is only 1-story in height
(Svendsen, 2001).
Image 01. View looking north across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, August 2017)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
In 2017 alteration of the storefront is apparent. The first story is now comprised of a wide, recessed entrance area
with the entrance to the second story set off-center to the left. This entrance is a double door entrance with a
transom area above. Centrally located is the entrance to the first story and left of that entrance are plate glass
windows. Above the first story entrance, an awning spans the width of that entrance and the windows. The second
story appears to be unaltered since the 2001 survey. The first story is currently occupied by Osaka, restaurant and
the second story is occupied by a law office.
8. Statement of Significance
The Bremer’s building is a reasonably well-preserved example of an architect-designed commercial building
representative of mid-20th century Modern architecture – while the storefront has been altered, the upper story
retains its original Modern character. The building design departed from earlier design conventions, not only in
the organization of the façade, the finishes used, and the type and arrangement of windows, but in the positioning
of the building itself. The building’s setback created a sense of enclosure by the changed relationship of the
adjacent building’s – that character is repeated nowhere else in the Iowa City downtown. The Bremer’s building
is significant under Criterion A in association with the history of Iowa City commerce. Further, the building is
significant under Criterion C as an example of Mid-century Modern commercial architecture. In these
associations, the building is considered a contributing resource to a potential historic district.
Historical Background
As originally laid out Washington Street was an important commercial street with an extra wide width (100-ft.
rather than 80-ft.) that extended along the south edge of Capitol Square on the west through the central business
district and then past College Green Park to the east before connecting to Governors Square, the planned location
for the governor’s residence. Within a few decades Washington Street housed the city’s most important banks,
hotels, and public buildings as well as a frequently changing collection of retail establishments.
Image 02. Historic Image: View of the first Bremer’s (aka Phoenix Block) – 1940
(Image courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City.)
Bremer’s (see sign) occupied the Phoenix Block from 1928 through its destruction by fire in 1963.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Fire insurance maps show a two-story building housing the Anheuser Busch Beer Depot by 1899. The beer depot
operated a saloon in the front and bottling operation in the rear. By 1904 the Golden Eagle Clothing Co. was on
the first floor with offices for lawyers, architects, physicians and insurance agents on the upper levels; the 1906
fire insurance map records a three-story building occupied by a clothing store. Changes in the footprint, interior
configuration, and building height suggest either a major alteration of an existing building or a new construction
occurred after 1899 and before 1906; the 1904 occupant change suggests the building alteration/construction dates
coincides with Golden Eagle Cothing Co.’s move to that location (2017).
Willner Brothers, clothiers & gents furnishings occupied the building in 1911 and the New Golden Eagle men’s
clothing store returned in 1912. In 1928 Joseph and Harry Bremer acquired the Phoenix Block from descendants
of the Samuel Pryce family who had owned the property since the turn of the 20th century. Bremer’s clothing
store, one of eight men’s clothing stores in the central business district, soon located here. Professional offices
continued on the upper levels and the Honolulu Conservatory of Music was listed there as well in 1940
(Svendsen, 2001).
Figure 01. Fire Insurance Map – 1899
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1899.)
According to the fire insurance map, the building (occupied by Anheuser Busch) was a two-story structure
with a 1-1/2 section at the rear.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Figure 02. Fire Insurance Map – 1906
(Source: Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1899.)
A three-story building was not recorded on the site until the 1906 fire insurance map, suggesting either an addition or the
construction of a new building. The alteration of the buildings at the rear of the lot and reconfiguration of the interior plan
may tip the scales toward construction of a new building. Regardless, the building was destroyed by fire in 1963.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 03. Historic Image: View of the Bremer’s Building - 1963
(Source: Iowa City Public Library.)
By the time of the 1963 fire, the appearance of the Bremer’s facade bore little resemblance to the
late 19th century Phoenix Block.
A fire at Bremers clothing store on March 22, 1963 caused an estimated $500,000 damage to the building. While
the roof of the three-story building was saved, some floors caved in and the interior was believed to be a total loss.
The fire was of such magnitude that fire, smoke and water damage extended to adjacent buildings. The fire was
one of a long string of fires in 1962 and 1963 that were either determined to be arson or of a suspicious origin. In
the case of the Bremers building, fire marshalls determined the cause to be electrical in origin, though many
remained convinced it was another case of arson.
After a period of several months operating in “very Spartan surroundings” from the former Ford-Hopkins Drug
store at 201 E. Washington, Bremer’s reopened in its new store at 120-122 E. Washington in February 1964.
News accounts describe the new building:
“The building is new from the footings – a special type rarely used – up. The glass front of the new
building is set back from the sidewalk and a view of the whole store is possible from the front. Red
carpeting, lighting panels set flush with the ceiling, a fireplace and metal rail designating the shoe
department, oak and wormy chestnut woodwork are among the decorative highlights. With 6,000 square
feet of floor space, the new store has clothing predominantly on the right as the patron enters and
furnishings on the left. At the rear are the boys’ department and – slightly elevated – the office.”
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
News accounts report that this modern building was designed by William R. Wagner. The general contractor was
Burger Construction, with Jackson’s Inc. the electrical contractor, and Universal Climate Control the heating and
air conditioning contractor.
Bremer’s continued at this location in 2000 with professional offices on the upper level. In 2017 the storefront is
occupied by Osaka restaurant with law offices in the upper story.
Image 04. Historic Image – 1963
(Iowa City Press-Citizen. June 22, 1963.)
This architect’s rendering, attributed to architect William R. Wagner, appeared in the Press-Citizen in June of 1963.
Bremer’s celebrated their grand re-opening February 1964.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street 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 Sheets, 120-122 East Washington Street, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
Ellis, Edwin Charles, “Certain Stylistic Trends in Architecture in Iowa City,” MA Thesis, Depart of Art, State
University of Iowa, June 1947, pp. 282.
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. “52-02809.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Firemen Battle Blaze.” March 22, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Long Probe Expected on Cause of Blaze.” March 23, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Arson—A Story With Many Chapters.” May 09, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Razing Begun At Bremers.” April 19, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. Advertisement. July 31, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “New Bremers Building Planned.” June 22, 1963.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “New Bremers Store Plans Grand Opening This Week.” February 11, 1964.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02809
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Bremer's Building Johnson
Name of Property County
120-122 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Legal Description: Original Town, Block 80, West 42.5’ of East 62.5’ of Lot 7.
Assessor: 002+1010311029
Latitude/Longitude: 41.660673/-91.533743
Parcel Map - 2017
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