College Block Building Explained

College Block Building
Nrhp Type:indcp
Nocat:yes
Partof:Iowa City Downtown Historic District
Partof Refnum:100006609
Coordinates:41.6588°N -91.5336°W
Area:less than one acre
Architect:Chauncey F. Lovelace
Added:July 23, 1973
Refnum:73000728

The College Block Building is a historic building located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Completed in 1883, this is the first known architect-designed commercial building in Iowa City.[1] It was designed by local architect Chauncey F. Lovelace, who moved his office into the building. The main facade of this two-story brick structure is capped with an ornate, bracketed, tin cornice with the words "College Block" on an ornamented crest. There are eight windows on the second floor, all with ornate window hoods. The second and third windows on both ends are coupled together under a larger hood. The main floor is occupied by commercial space, and the second floor contains apartments. Urban renewal threatened the building's existence in the 1970s.[1] It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2021, the building was included as a contributing property in the Iowa City Downtown Historic District.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=73000728}} National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: College Block Building]. National Park Service. 2017-05-31. Elisabeth Foxley. with
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Iowa City Downtown Historic District. City of Iowa City. 2021-05-28. Alexa McDowell.