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The historic building located at 529 Chestnut Streets (Sixth & Chestnut Streets) in Perkasie clearly shows the combination of two architectural styles. Though structurally combined these two styles are not integrated in design. What does the preservationist do for such a challenging problem? Return the building to its original style - a very expensive proposition. There are no easy answers to this question. |
BUILDING HISTORY
On the 1876 map of Perkasie this property was that of J. Summers on Main Street. During the 1890's the building was used as a rooming house for itinerant cigar makers;. At that time there were 20 rooms on the second & third floors and a "home comfort" restaurant on the first floor. A green grocery store was located at this location and the American Store occupied part of that building during the 1920's. From 1915 to 1945 this building at Sixth & Chestnut Streets was a clothing store run by Jonas Apfelbaum.
In 1945 the building was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Frank C. Schultz, owners of the Vogue Shoppe, a millinery store located at 113 South Fifth Street. Extensive alterations were made and the Vogue shop opened in 1949 at the Sixth & Chestnut Street location. The building is now being used by McGonigal's Music Studio.
SECOND EMPIRE OR ART DECO STYLE BUILDING?
| SECOND EMPIRE CHARACTERISTICS The original building is built in the Second Empire style. This style originated in France. The double-pitched roof with a steep lower slope is called a mansard roof. This distinctive feature of the second empire style creates an additional usable floor. There are several mansard roof buildings in Perkasie today. In the Second Empire style, numerous windows or dormers are used to provide light on the mansard roof level. Windows often appear in pairs (see photo at top). The building itself is usually symmetrical in design ( as this building once was from Chestnut Street). Classical elements (columns) are and a sense of formality are also associated with this style. |
Windows in the mansard roof are probably original. The two bay windows on the second floor are clearly not characteristics of the original Second Empire style.
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Art deco ornamentation consists of low-relief geometric designs. Parallel straight lines, zigzags, chevrons, and stylized floral designs are typical art deco designs. Smooth surfaced metal and glass wrap around this corner with a streamlined feel. At the store front on street level most people do not notice the combination of two styles; one one stands at a distance they see how the designs do not relate with one another. There is no effort to integrate the designs together. This is the only example of art deco architectural design in the town of Perkasie.
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ART DECO CHARACTERISTICS The art deco (also called Modernistic, Art Moderne, and Streamlined) style was first popular in the 1930's. The repetitive geometric forms and horizontal bands of windows with trim patterns of repeating parallel lines are typical of this style. Rounded corners (see right) and windows are also typical of the style. These geometric forms give the design a "streamlined" effect. |
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UNIQUE AWNING Typical of the streamlined design of art deco this building has an awning that can be recessed under a flap that when closed appears to be merely a series of repeating geometric bands. |
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