The Evolution of a Building

Prompted by yesterday's post about the buildings at Warren and Fourth streets that were supposed to become a hotel, local historian Paul Barrett sent Gossips this picture, which appeared in the Register-Star on July 29, 1971.

The caption explains that this is the new headquarters of the Hudson Credit Bureau and describes the newly refurbished building: "Brick facing, a roof-shingle overhang, and gleaming white paint make an attractive facade."  

This facade at 404 Warren Street, reconfigured forty-five years ago in a decade often considered an era of bad taste, is pretty much the same today, except the "roof-shingle overhang" is gone, the eight-over-eight window sash has been replaced by one-over-one windows, the nine light door has been replaced with a door that has just two lights, and all the brick face has been painted gleaming white. 

What a sad difference from the building's appearance in the 19th century, when there were divided light windows that extended from the height of the door almost to the ground along the entire facade of 402-404 Warren Street.

COPYRIGHT 2016 CAROLE OSTERINK