ERWIN APARTMENTS
Erwin Apartments from W. Trinity Ave. - 01.03.56
Courtesy The Herald-Sun Newspaper)
Although Trinity Park has some wonderful early-mid 20th century detached houses, I remain most intrigued by its relative abundance of early 20th century apartment buildings. Of those still standing, the Erwin Apartments are my favorite. The relative elegance of early 20th century apartment buildings when compared to the junky sameness that characterizes most apartment 'complexes' built from the 1950s to present is a relief. (I always think of the development process for most contemporary apartment complexes as such: developer buys raw land; developer hires engineer to lay out parking lots; developer hires architect to lay out the most number of units that can fit in the interstitial spaces around the parking lots.) It's refreshing when people figure out how to build at this scale again - like Scott Harmon's Mangum 506 (condos, not apartments, but that's irrelevant to the point.)
Designed by Durham architect RR Markley, and built in 1930 on the vacant southeast corner of West Trinity and N. Guess (Buchanan Blvd.) the four-story building is described by the historic inventory as "Modernistic":
"The sharply incised windows and the flat walls, occasionally broken by a projecting or receding plane, contribute to the austerity of the design. Decoration is reserved for the cornices, water table, and entrances, which feature a bronze fanlight grille and a cartouche at each side of the door. Large casement windows, a stone flower box, and a cartouche in the cornice mark the slightly projecting entrance bay."
Erwin Apartments, ~1980
(Courtesy Steve Gaddis)
I find austere a bit too harsh of a word to use to describe the design - perhaps only with respect to the contrast between the modernistic style and the Art Nouveau style that preceded it (although never in great abundance in the US.)
Perhaps it betrays my urban leanings, but the Erwin Apartments seem like they would fit in well in some northeastern metropolis, where similar apartment buildings would line the street (if not replaced or atomized for a parking lot.)
I haven't been in the building since 1993, when I remember being enamored of its ancient elevator (even in helping friend bring a washing machine to the fourth floor.) I make no commentary on whether the property management is great, terrible, or somewhere in-between. (My pre-emptive disclaimer for the long comment from someone with a beef about their security deposit or similar.) But I love its appearance from the exterior, and the still-active (I believe) commercial space at the northeast corner of the building completes my affection for this structure.
Erwin Apartments, 10.21.09
Erwin Apartments, 10.21.09
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10 comments:
Did you mean 'relevant' in this sentence?
"It's refreshing when people figure out how to build at this scale again - like Scott Harmon's Mangum 506 (condos, not apartments, but irrelevant architecturally.)"
No - I meant that whether they are condos or apartments is irrelevant to building at this scale.
GK
One of the most amazing blogs I have seen... I've literally spent my entire Criminal Law class pouring through the pictures and history that you've posted.
PLEASE keep up this work.
Very nice building indeed. Hey, now that we're talking about apartment buildings around town from the early 20th century...wondering if you know anything about the one near the intersection of E Geer & Mangum. it's a smaller scale 4 apartment from what it seems. The architectural details on this are awesome. Matter of fact, I believe there is another building around town or maybe near this one that looks like it may have been built by the same architect...You know which ones I'm talking about Gary???
Actually, now that I htnk about it, both buildings I'm referring to stand in opposite corners...One on Mangum, the other on Geer...
Freddie
I do!
http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/2008/07/110-east-geer-st.html
http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/2008/07/perry-building.html
GK
I always loved that building. It's proof that building design does not have to be fussy to be attractive.
Don't know what's happening commercially in the lower Northeast corner now, but from 1962 through 1966, there was a beauty shop there...where I had my hair cut. So convenient for someone livng in Aycock Dorm.
awesome...Thanks Gary!
Good info on those buildings...So they were built on the same year but I wonder if it was planned by the same architect...Prob so...
This building is trash. It was trash in the thirties and is trash now. It was clearly developed as a cost cutting effort at housing people in some barely code compliant decorated box. Nostalgia does not mean good architecture. The dimly lit tenement style interiors created by a building like this were not even current in the thirties when more enlightened (no pun intended) design was apparent. Endangered Durham needs to draw the line at understanding and influencing good design, and simply appreciating something because it has been too big, and perhaps continually profitable, to be easily torn down.
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