approval subject historic landmark designation … · jannus in 1914 or the site ofthe first...
TRANSCRIPT
ST. PETERSBURG CITY COUNCILMeeting ofAugust 1, 2002
TO The Honorable Rene Flowers, Chair and Members of City Council
SUBJECT Historic Landmark Designation of the Emerson Apartments (HPC CaseNo. 02-02)
RECOMMENDATION Administration recommends APPROVAL of the attached Ordinancedesignating the Emerson Apartments a historic landmark and designate theproperty boundaries as the landmark site.
BACKGROUND
On June 18, 2002, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) conducted a public hearing on HPC CaseNo. 02-02, an owner-initiated request to designate the Emerson Apartments, located at 305 5th Street South,a local historic landmark and landmark site. The HPC voted 7-0, to recommend APPROVAL of theapplication and designate the property boundaries as the landmark site.
The request is spurred by the property owner’s interest in receiving the ad valorem tax exemption for historicproperties to offset the costs of renovating the apartments as well as use of the existing/historic buildingcomponent of the new Florida Building Code that is afforded historic properties. Without use of thealternative compliance measures, it is unlikely the Emerson Apartments will be renovated. The owner willbe applying shortly for concurrent processing of a Certificate ofAppropriateness and possible ad valorem taxexemption.
On July 11, 2002, the St. Petersburg City Council held first reading and set the second reading and publichearing for August 1, 2002.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The three-story Emerson Apartments is a rectangular plan masonry structure clad with smooth-finish stuccowith partial basement. The building is located at the southwest corner of the intersection ofThird AvenueSouth and Fifth Street South, facing east and paralleling the latter street. The front [east] facade issymmetrically segmented into five bays by six squared concrete pillars that rise the height of the building,supporting the full facade wood porch at each floor. Each bay is equally divided by a small squared woodenposts which are a later alteration of indeterminate date. The wooden balcony uses vertical railings topped bya twin horizontal rails connected by three vertical rails per bay (the upper railing is a later alteration).Windows are one-over-one double hung wood.
The interior layout consists of six apartments per floor, each between 400 to 500 square feet. The main stairis located at the center of the east facade. The stair is recessed into the building and opens onto the east porchat each level. The main room of each apartment is accessed from the east porch. The northernmost andsouthernmost apartments on each floor have an additional small room. Interior construction materials aresimple and typical of the era ofconstruction. Walls are wood stud with plaster on wood lath. Floors are wood
plank on wood joists, and ceilings are plaster on wood lath. Door, window and base trim is stained andpainted wood.
The building derives its name from Emerson M. Wood who built the apartments circa 1916-1917. Woodformerly owned the Kenwood Apartments at 552 3td Avenue South, eventually selling them to W.N. Lechein 1916. Wood continued to own and operate the Emerson Apartments until 1924, when he sold thebuilding to W. Clark. Wood then became Vice President of the Guarantee Title and Abstract Company inSt. Petersburg. He died in 1930. The Emerson Apartments has retained its name up to this day.
According to newspaper advertisements and City Directories, the Emerson had eighteen apartments availablefor rent and arrayed in one and two-room configurations. The beds were in closets that opened into the livingarea. City Directories during the 1920s and 1930s suggest it was seldom more than half occupied, amisleading fact as it is like the Emerson was occupied primarily by seasonal residents who were not recordedin the direcotry. It apparently was not utilized by the military in 1942 to house troops, as were many otherhotels and large apartment buildings in St. Petersburg.
In order to consider a property eligible for listing on the local register it must meet a minimum of one of thenine criteria specified in Section 16-525(d) of the City of St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances. The EmersonApartments meets four of the nine criteria. These applicable criteria are:
(1) Its value is a sz-nzficant reminder ofthe cultural or archaeological heritage ofthe City, state, ornation;
(2) Its location is a site ofa sznf1cant locaL state, or national event;
(5) Its value as a building is recognizedftr the quality of its architecture, and it retains sufficientelements showing its architectural significance; and
(6) It has distinguishing characteristics ofan architectural style valuable for the study ofa perioamethod ofconstruction, or use ofindienous materials.
The apartments’ eligibility will be evaluated below relative to each of the applicable criterion. For moredetailed information on the Emerson Apartments please refer to the attached designation report.
Criteria 1 and 2: Criteria 1 and 2 are used to evaluate the manner in which a building or site reflectsthe city’s history during certain events or development phases. The term “event” in Criterion 2 can mean aspecific or discreet period of time in which something occurred such as the first commercial air flight by TonyJannus in 1914 or the site of the first contact between Panfilo Narvaez and the Tocobaga Indians along BocaCiega Bay in 1528. Event can also mean the evolution or development of an area overtime such as theemergence of downtown St. Petersburg as a tourist destination in the 1910s or Historic Kenwood’sdevelopment as an early suburb.
The Emerson represents an important phase in the development ofapartment buildings in St. Petersburg andis the best of the few remaining examples in the city, most of which remain south of Central Avenue.Apartment houses in St. Petersburg prior to 1920 most often were converted homes and reflected the
configuration and massing one would expect from single-family homes, including one or two stories in heightand a single exterior entrance. The Emerson Apartments, on the other hand, was a three-story building witheach apartment accessed from the outside via stairways and landings. This practice was less prevalent duringthe second land boom of the 1 920s when apartment buildings were integrated into neighborhoods and hadcourtyards or interior hallways to accommodate circulation. The evolving building style depicted by theEmerson parallels the development of the lodging industry in St. Petersburg, which also was in its infancywhen tourism first emerged in force in the eariy part of the 1910s.
In addition, the building represents a departure from typical Apartment House architecture. Instead ofcopying styles from “northern houses,” it utilized a vernacular design adapted to St. Petersburg’s mild butoften warm and humid climate. Its rectangular plan allows for cross-ventilation and the full facade porchesprovide constant shade for each apartment.
Criteria 5 and 6: Criteria 5 and 6 focus on the stylistic importance of the building and require a historicbuilding be recognized for the quality of its architecture. The Emerson is a Masonry Vernacular structurenoteworthy for its concrete block and stucco construction. Vernacular architecture is a “community” stylebased on local materials, climate and/or traditions. Influences may be from a variety of sources, however thefinal design usually does not match any particular style. Practicality is often the key element. In thisparticular case, the Emerson’s full facade width porches reflect the designer’s considerations for St.Petersburg’s climate.
The use of concrete block as well as pierced decorative lattice concrete block was unusual for an apartmentbuilding constructed in St. Petersburg during this period, which were typically built with frame construction.Many buildings constructed after the Emerson would utilize hollow clay tile construction, but the use ofconcrete block would re main relatively novel until after the Second World War.
Concrete block is produced from a mixture of Portland cement and aggregates. Commonly manufacturedin a 8-by-8-by- 16 inch size, concrete masonry units can be solid or hollow (typically with two or three cores).The advantages of concrete blocks were that they were inexpensive and could be installed faster than mosttraditional materials. There were also fireproof, and needed little care.
Possibly the first use of concrete construction in St. Petersburg took place in 1904 with the construction ofthe Perry Snell residence at 106 2’ Ave. NE (relocated to the USF campus in 1993). The St. PetersburgTimes described in 1904: “A new industry has sprung up... the natural outcome of the needs occasioned bythe demand for a material for building construction which has the advantage ofbeing both durable and cheap.The walls of [the Snell residence] are concrete formed of a mixture of Portland cement, sand and shells.”
Buildings utilizing concrete block construction in St. Petersburg were often designed by architect EdgarFerdon (1869-1932). He designed several buildings similar to the Emerson and advertisements as early as1912 show buildings he designed utilizing concrete block (and other features seen on the Emerson such asthe full facade porch). However, no records have been located regarding the architect for the Emerson.
In addition to being architecturally important, a building under Criteria 5 and 6 must retain sufficientelements which convey its architectural significance. Integrity, as this is known, is the ability of a property toconvey its significance by retaining those features and elements which define its historic character. Essential
features on the Emerson Apartments that must retain their integrity include location and setting, designmaterials, and workmanship.
Location and Setting
The Emerson Apartments has remained in its current location since construction, while the setting retainsintegrity to the north, south and west. The only significant intrusion in the neighborhood is the large expanseof parking just east and northeast of the subject property. Although the University Park neighborhoodcontains a variety of nonhistoric buildings, it still has a good concentration of historic buildings north, westand south of the building. The block on which the Emerson sits as well as those closest to it retain manyhistoric buildings built before or just after the Emerson was constructed. The Columbian Apartments, aneleven-story apartment building just west ofthe Emerson, is the only nonhistoric building on that same block.
Design, Materials and Workmanship
Fire damage from arson several years ago as well as persistent roof damage has fostered the building’sdeteriorating conditions. Nevertheless, the Emerson Apartments retains its essential architectural featuresincluding the five-bay facade, visible concrete exterior and latticework in the crawl space. In addition, theoriginal plan and apartment configuration remains unaltered. Only minimal alterations to the building’sexterior have taken place, including the addition of the east facade entrance in 1923, west facade fire escape,porch railings and additional supports to the east facade porch (Refer to property card for 305 5th StreetSouth).
RECOMMENDATION
Administration recommends APPROVAL of the attached Ordinance designating the Emerson Apartments(HPC Case No. 02-02) a historic landmark and designate the property boundaries as the landmark site.
Attachments: Staff Designation Report (including map, aerial, photographs, and exhibits) and Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO.____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG,FLORIDA, DESIGNATING THE EMERSON APARTMENT(LOCATED AT 305 5Th STREET SOUTH) AS A LOCALLANDMARK AND AS A LANDMARK SITE, AND ADDING THEPROPERTY TO THE LOCAL REGISTER PURSUANT TOARTICLE VIIIOF CHAPTER 16, CITY CODE; AND PROVIDINGAN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG DOES ORDAiN:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds that the Emerson Apartments, which wasconstructed circa 1917 upon the property described in Section 2 below, meets four ofthe ninecriteria listed in Section 16-525(d), City Code, for designating historic properties. Morespecifically, the property meets the following criteria:
(1) Its value is a significant reminder of the cultural or archaeological heritage ofthe City, state, or nation;
(2) The location is a site of a significant local, state, or national event;
(5) Its value as a building is recognized for the quality of its architecture, and itretains sufficient elements showing its architectural significance; and
(6) It has distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for thestudy of a period, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials.
SECTION 2. The Emerson Apartments, located upon the following describedproperty, is hereby designated as a local landmark and as a landmark site, and shall be addedto the local register listing ofdesignated landmarks, landmark sites, and historic and thematicdistricts which is maintained in the office of the City Clerk:
The north 100 ft. ofLot 1, Block 61, Revised Map ofSt. Petersburg, accordingto the plat thereofrecorded at Plat Book Hi, Page 49, of the public records ofPinellas County, Florida.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
Approved as to Formand Substance:
City Attorney (or Des(gee) Dee’1’pment Services DepartmentDate: -f7-o Date: (j-o?’
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Attachment 1
Landmark Application
City of St. Petersburg/Division of Urban Designand Historic Preservation
Local LandmarkDesignation Application
historic name t’1\k-€i..1other nameslsite number -
address 2Qcti14
historic address ‘y9 2,4)
name ‘3PM ‘1’pstreet and number ,4o +4-city or town C5
state code 337t’ 1phone number (h) (w) 7V1 tj5. e-mail
name/title ¶t’ cAtMc.15organization t_ftftM.15
street and number 2,’393 lfç 114JiJ& lo7-lcity or town
_______________
state zip code
____________
phone number (h)
_________________
(w) 77. (7li• 7J7, e- au CA.. ‘ . i . cotdate prepared
____________
signaturecT-Zt• 01.-
Describe boundary line encompassing all man-made and natural resources to be included in designation (generallegal description or sUrvey). Attach map demiting proposed boundary. (Use continuation sheet If necessary)-EAJ) W I’e4..o- (p1, $oP1j 100’
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acreage of property 0.property identification number I 1 (31 /i /74-4-Gc. /cc i /oai i
,
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&-corName of Property
Historic Functions Current Functions
Architectural Classification Materials
- (See AppendixA for list)
MAa*( \f4kCA1LIiY-.
______________________
Aôop MW MI’
___________________
PEP PoM
Narrative DescriDtion
On one or more continuation sheets describe the historic and existing condition of the property use conveying the
following information: original location and setting; natural features; pre-historic man-made features; subdMsion
design; description of surrounding buildings; major alterations and present appearance; interior appearance;
— .2)
Contributina Noncontributing Resource Tvoe Contributing resources previously listed on
the National Register or Local Register
Buildings
_______________________________
Sites
Structures
Objects Number of multiple property listings
I Total
Name of PropertyAPP\ fttr
Criteria for Significance(mark one or more boxes for the appropriate criteria)
Its value isa significant reminder of the cultural orarchaeological heritage of the City, state, ornation.
Its location is the site of a significant local, state,or national event.
It is identified with a person or persons whosignificantly contributed to the development of theCity, state, or nation.
El It is identified as the work of a master builder,designer, or architect whose work has influencedthe development of the City, state, or nation.
Its value as a building is recognized for the qualityof its architecture, and it retains sufficientelements showing its architectural significance.
It has distinguishing characteristics of anarchitectural style valuable for the study of aperiod, method of construction, or use ofindigenous materials.
Lj Its character is a geographically definable areapossessing a significant concentration, orcontinuity or sites, buildings, objects or structuresunited in past events or aesthetically by plan orphysical development.
Q Its character is an established and geographicallydefinable neighborhood, united in culture,architectural style or physical plan anddevelopment.
Q It has contributed, or is likely to contribute,information important to the.pEehistory or history ofthe City, state, or nation.
Areas of Significance(see Attaciment B for detaed st of categories)
Narrative Statement of Slnlficance
(ExplaIn the significance of the property as it relates to ie above criterial and information on one or more continuationsheets. Include biographical data on significant person(s), builder and architect, if known.)
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P rid Eo,M ‘U7ti
O. W,c;r vtt-rAPAh1MJ C
Period of Significance
VlLTSignificant Dates (date constructed & altered)
Significant Person(s)
Cultural Afflhiation!Historic Period
Builder
Architect
(Cite the books, articles, and other sources used In preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.)
7. DESCRIPTION
The Emerson is a three-story rectangular plan masonry structure with partial
basement located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Third Avenue
South and Fifth Street South. The building faces east and is parallel to Fifth
Street South
The first floor is elevated approximately five feet from ground level. The
portion of the building below the first floor is screened by a lattice pattern of
pierced concrete (photo F).
The Emerson’s features are symmetrical and organized, with a minimum or
ornamentation.
The front [east] facade (photos A, B) is symmetrically segmented into five
- bays by six squared concrete pillars that rise the height of the building,
supporting the full facade wood porch at each floor. Each bay is equally
divided by a small squared wooden pillar (later alteration). The wooden
balcony uses vertical railings topped by a twin horizontal rails connected by
three vertical rails per bay (the upper railing is a later alteration).
The concrete stairway entrance (photo E) is centered within the middle bay
of the east facade. It is framed by two concrete columns, each capped with a
decorative two-step cap. This stairway was added c1923 (the original
entrance was the stairway at the east end of the north facade, photo J).
Each floor of the east facade has a similar sequence of doors and windows.
This pattern of one door and two windows per room on the both the east and
west facade allowed for flow-through ventilation. Several of the doors and
windows are boarded.
The south facade (photo C) includes two vertical double-hung windows of
identical fenestration at each floor. An exterior concrete chimney rising to
approximately three feet above roof level is located on the south facade near
the west end of the structure, serving as an exhaust for the basement boiler.
At ground level, a decending concrete stairway leads to a basement (photo
D).
The west [rear] facade (photos G, H) matches the general design theme of
the front, incorporating a full-facade porch at each floor, although the
balcony is somewhat narrower than the east facade. Seven squared wooden
porch supports extending to the roof create six bays. A wood stairway
connects the third and second floor balconies at the third bay from the south.
A metal fire escape is also located on the west facade.
The north facade (photo I) features two double-hung windows at each floor
(first floor windows and ground-level basement vent/windows are boarded).
An 8 foot wide concrete stairway at the east side of the north facade (photo
J) leads to the first floor east facade porch. It is divided by a decorative
metal railing. This was the original “front” entry of the building (c1917-23)
as early photos do not show the entry at the east facade.
The roof is a flat composition shingle roof. A three-rim horizontal molding
is the only decorative accent on the cornice. Centered at the top of the roof is
a small partially intact shed/room with windows, which is an original feature
of the building.
INTERIOR
The interior layout consists of six apartments per floor, each between 400 to
500 square feet. The main stair is located at the center of the east facade.
The stair is recessed into the building and opens onto the east porch at each
level. The main room of each apartment is accessed from the east porch.
The northernmost and southernmost apartments on each floor have an
additional small room.
Interior construction materials are simple and typical of the era of
construction. Walls are wood stud with gypsum plaster on wood lath.
Floors are wood plant on wood joists, and ceilings are gypsum plaster on
wood lath. Door, window and base trim is painted wood. Windows are one-
over-one double hung wood.
The basement consists of a boiler room and water heater room located at the
southwest corner of the building. The remainder of the basement was
originally an open area with a concrete slab throughout. There is a north-
south row of 17 rusticated concrete block columns supporting the center
bearing wall above.
ORIGINAL SETTING
At the time it was constructed, the Emerson was on the southern perimeter
of downtown St. Petersburg. The surrounding area was comprised of small
wood frame structures, mainly homes and converted apartment buildings.
This area was .one of the original residential sections of the city. Streets
were paved with brick and the trolley line was only two blocks to the north
and east. The population of St. Petersburg in 1920 was 14,237, however that
number would more than triple by the end of the decade.
Citrus groves and fishing were important businesses in St. Petersburg prior
to 1910, but it was the promotion of the town as a popular winter resort
destination and that quickly made tourism its most important industry. The
booming tourist trade made structures that catered to winter visitors, such as
the Emerson, key elements of St. Petersburg’s early economy.
PRESENT SELLING
The Emerson is located within the University Park neighborhood. It is in
close proximity to downtown, the University of South Florida, Tropicana
Field, and Albert Whitted Airport.
The Emerson is bordered by Fifth Street South to the east and Third Avenue
South to the North. Immediately across the street east and northeast of the
Emerson are well landscaped surface parking lots for nearby commercial
buildings. To the west is an 1 1-story concrete apartment building (“The
Columbian”). Bordering the south end of the property is a two story wood
frame home with a concrete addition in the front serving as offices. Within
two blocks are a mix of commercial, office and residential structures.
The Emerson Apartment building is presently unoccupied and in poor
condition. Security fencing surrounds the property.
ALTERATIONS
Only minimal alterations to the building’s exterior have taken place,
including the addition of the east facade entrance, west facade fire escape,
porch railings and additional supports to the east facade porch (Refer to
property card for 305 5th Street South).
9. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Emerson represents an important phase in the development of apartment
buildings in St. Petersburg. As one of the earliest “purpose-built” apartment
buildings, it possesses distinguishing characteristics of a Vernacular
architectural style designed for St. Petersburg’s climate, and includes
materials not commonly used at that time.
Apartment houses in St. Petersburg prior to 1920 most often were converted
homes. The Emerson represented a departure from typical Apartment House
architecture. Instead of copying styles from “northern houses,” it utilized a
vernacular design adapted to St. Petersburg’s mild but often warm and
humid climate. Its rectangular plan allows for cross-ventilation and the full
facade porches provide constant shade for each apartment.
EVOLUTION OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN ST. PETERSBURG
The popularity of St. Petersburg as a winter resort created a demand for
housing, especially for part-time residents. The St. Petersburg Board of
Trade aggressively promoted the city, publishing numerous booklets touting
the climate of St. Petersburg and coining the phrase “The Sunshine City.”
The existing inventory of apartments in St. Petersburg could hardly meet the
demand, and the post-WWI boom would only bring more seasonal visitors
to St. Petersburg.
To assist visitors who desired to rent an apartment, a group of apartment
house owners created the Apartment House Owners Association in 1917.
The founders were John W. Coburn and John Y. Lynch. According to a
c1920 tourist publication, “The association has always worked in harmony
with the Tourist relations committee of the Chamber of Commerce... The
association does not have any control whatever over rentals, but seeks to
improve the conditioi( appearance and equipment of the property.”
Apartment buildings flourished in St. Petersburg during the years of the real
estate boom. In 1920, an apartment house guide published by The
Apartment House Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce listed 39
apartments. Just four years later, 294 apartments were listed in the 1924
Guide to St. Petersburg published by The Tourist News Publishing
Company. That trend continued into the 1930s. Despite harsh economic
conditions due to the Great Depression, the city successfully marketed itself
as a destination for retirees and winter vacationers. Numerous tourist clubs
and recreational activities in the downtown area such as the St. Petersburg
Shuffleboard courts made St. Petersburg a mecca for “snowbirds.”
The Apartment House Owners Association continued in operation
throughout the 1920s and 30s, eventually changing its name to the St.
Petersburg Apartment Owners Association. Although its not known how
long this organization existed, by the late I 940s smaller associations of
motor courts and apartment buildings along major roadways formed their
own associations, such as the 4th Street Apartment and Small Hotel
Association and the US 19 Lodging Association.
Apartment houses continued to be in demand following World War II, with
511 listed in the St. Petersburg City Directory in 1947. However, changing
demographics, construction of newer apartments and condominiums in the
suburbs, transportation issues and the advent of air conditioning made many
of these apartment buildings obsolete by the 1960s. Buildings that originally
catered to winter residents became low-income rental housing. A not
uncommon scenario of deteriorating structures, increasing neglect and
vandalism developed. A large number of St. Petersburg apartment houses
were demolished during the 1970s and 80s. Others were converted to
commercial use.
Only a small number of apartment buildings in St. Petersburg utilizing a
similar design to the Emerson still exist, and all share the north-south
orientation, perpendicular to the prevailing breezes, and full-facade porches
(see attached photographs).
HISTORY
Emerson M. Wood was listed in the 1916 City Directory as the owner of the
Kenwood Apartments at 552 3td Avenue South. He sold the Kenwood to
W.N. Leche and built the Emerson Apartments c1916-1917. The building’s
name comes from Mr. Wood’s first name, and it has retained the name
Emerson throughout its history.
Emerson M. Wood continued to own and operate the Emerson Apartments
until 1924, when he sold the building to W. Clark. Wood then became Vice
President of the Guarantee Title and Abstract Company in St. Petersburg.
He died in 1930.
The Emerson’s address was originally 500 3rd Avenue S. About 1923 the
main entry was relocated to the east [front] facade, thus the address became
305 5th Street South.
According to both advertisements and the City Directory, the Emerson had
18 apartments (both one and two rooms) available for rent. The City
Directories during the 1920s and 1930s suggest it was seldom more than half
occupied, which could be misleading as it likely was occupied primarily by
seasonal residents. It apparently was not utilized by the military in 1942 to
house troops, like many other hotels and large apartment buildings in St.
Petersburg.
MATERIALS/METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
The Emerson is noteworthy for its concrete block and stucco constructidn
(wooden porch balconies excluded). The use of this particular block as well
as the pierced decorative lattice concrete block was unusual for an apartment
building in St. Petersburg during this period. Many buildings constructed
after the Emerson would utilize hollow clay tile construction, but the use of
concrete block was still relatively novel.
Concrete block is produced from a mixture of Portland cement and
aggregates. Commonly manufactured in a 8-by-8-by-16 inch size, concrete
masonry units can be solid or hollow (typically with two or three cores).
The advantages of concrete blocks were that they were inexpensive and
could be installed faster than most traditional materials. There were also
fireproof; and needed little care.
Possibly the first use of concrete construction in St. Petersburg took place in
1904 with the construction of the Perry Snell residence at 106 2’’ Ave. NE
(relocated to the USF campus in 1993). The St. Petersburg Times described
in 1904: “A new industry has sprung up... the natural outcome of the needs
occasioned by the demand for a material for building construction which has
the advantage ofbeing both durable and cheap. The walls of [the Snell
residence) are concrete formed of a mixture of Portland cement, sand and
shells.”
Buildings utilizing concrete block construction in St. Petersburg were often
designed by architect Edgar Ferdon (1869-1932). He designed several
buildings similar to the Emerson and advertisements as early as 1912 show
buildings he designed utilizing concrete block (and other features seen on
the Emerson such as the full facade porch). However, no records have been
located regarding the architect for the Emerson.
The Vernacular style of architecture is a “community” style based on local
materials, climate and/or traditions. Influences may be from a variety of
sources, however the fmal design usually does not match any particular
style. Practicality is often the key element. In this particular case, the
Emerson’s full facade width porches reflect the designer’s considerations for
St. Petersburg’s climate.
10. BIBLIOGRAPHy
A Guide to Florida’s Historic Architecture. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, FL,
(compiled by F. Blair Reeves), 1990.
Apartment Houses of St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Petersburg Apartment Owners
Association, St. Petersburg, FL. c1930 brochure.
A.rsenault, Raymond. Stfetersburg and the Florida Dream, 1988-1950. University of
Florida Press, Gainesville, 1996.
Burden, Ernest. Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture. McGraw-Hill Companies, New
York, 1998.
Carley, Rachel. The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture. Henry Holt
Company, New York, 1997.
City Directory of St. Petersburg, Florida. 1912, 19 16-52. R.L. Polk and Company, -
Jacksonville, FL
Fuller, Walter P. St. Petersburg and its People. Great Outdoors Publishing Company: St.
Petersburg, FL, 1972.
Guide to St. Petersburg’s Neighborhoods. City of St. Petersburg, Neighborhood
Partnership Office, 1998.
Jester, Thomas C., ed. Twentieth Century Building Materials. McGraw-Hill Companies,
New York, 1995.
Official Guide to St. Petersburg (1936-42 editions). Griffith Advertising Company, St.
Petersburg, FL.
Pinellas County Property Appraiser, Parcel 19/31/17/74466/061/0011.
St. Petersburg Florida Apartment Houses. The Apartment House Bureau of the Chamber
of Commerce, St. Petersburg, FL, c1920 brochure.
St. Petersburg Times. April 2, 1904 “A New Industry.”
Seeing St. Petersburg, Florida. The Tourist News Publishing Company: St. Petersburg,
FL, 1924.
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