427 & 429 Seventh Street, Northwest (Commercial Building), Washington, District of Columbia, DC

Significance: Unfortunately the street elevation has been concealed by the relatively recent addition of a curtain wall, thereby impeding the stylistic identification of the building's facade. Information derived from the building permits indicates that the building antedates 1880. The 1857 Boschke map of Washington shows a structure standing on the site by that date, but it is impossible to confirm that it represents the existing building. The side and rear elevations, as well as finishes on the attic space corroborate the relative antiquity of this structure. Furthermore, on the eastern portion of the basement, the old stone foundation still supports the bearing masonry walls. The building appears toady as a drastic disfigurement of its original image. The curtain wall cladding, aside from obscuring a probable traditional facade, contributes to the visual fragmentation of the once cohesive environment of this district. The articulation of the new blind facade into floors and bays is ineffective and cannot counteract the inappropriateness of the materials and coloration of the design. On this site and perhaps this building, were located the National Era offices, once a prominent newspaper and original publishers of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Survey number: HABS DC-606

Building/structure dates: ca. 1880 Initial Construction

commercial facilities washington city seventh street northwest commercial washington dc district of columbia historic american buildings survey photo ultra high resolution high resolution architecture commercial buildings architeture street view exterior maps cabin library of congress vintage ads

1933 - 1970

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

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