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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 W Mendenhall 2021 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD For the Montana National Register of Historic Places Program and State Antiquities Database Montana State Historic Preservation Office Montana Historical Society PO Box 201202, 1410 8th Ave Helena, MT 59620-1202 Property Address: 24 W Mendenhall St. Historic Address (if applicable): City/Town: Bozeman Site Number: 24GA0921 Historic District Number (if applicable): County: Gallatin Historic Name: Bozeman Armory Original Owner(s): Army National Guard Current Ownership Private Public Current Property Name: Armory Hotel Owner(s): Etha Hotel LLC Owner Address: C/O ETXea Hospitality LLC, Bozeman. MT 59715 Phone: Legal Location PM: Montana Township: 2S Range: 6E E ½ SW ¼ NW ¼ of Section: 7 Lot(s): E 1.25' of Lot 16 and Lots 17-20 Block(s): Block A Addition: Tracy's 1st Addition Year of Addition: 1872 USGS Quad Name: Bozeman Year: 1987 Historic Use: National Guard Armory/Community Center Current Use: Commercial, hotel Construction Date: 1942 Estimated Actual Original Location Moved Date Moved: UTM Reference www.nris.mt.gov NAD 27 or NAD 83 (preferred) Zone:12 Easting: 497037.82 Northing: 5058499.94 National Register of Historic Places NRHP Listing Date: 1984 Historic District: NRHP Eligible: Yes No *Property meets the City of Bozeman’s definition of an eligible property (see below). Date of this document: 3/22/2020 Form Prepared by: E. Sakariassen, Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. with C. Alegria and C. Hendry, Extreme History Project Address: PO Box 1526, Bozeman, MT 59771 Daytime Phone: (406) 219-3535 MT SHPO USE ONLY Eligible for NRHP: □ yes □ no Criteria: □ A □ B □ C □ D Date: Evaluator: Comments: Site is listed in the NRHP. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 2 Architectural Description Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Architectural Style: Art Deco-Moderne If Other, specify: Property Type: Commerce Specific Property Type: Hotel Architect: Fred Willson Architectural Firm/City/State: Bozeman Builder/Contractor: Unknown Company/City/State: Unknown Source of Information: NRHP nomination This site is the 1942 Bozeman Armory building, designed by Fred F. Willson and completed under the Works Progress Administration as a federal relief project. The armory, when completed, served as both the National Guard Armory and a community center. The original building is a two-story concrete structure that faces north onto W Mendenhall. It is one of the City's few examples of Art Deco architecture and has character defining features such as a stream-lined smooth finish, flat roof, and limited applied ornament. Ornament present consists of simple geometric patterns incised in the concrete. The main entry is above grade, accessed by concrete steps. It is centered on the north facade, beneath a stepped parapet with massive concrete piers to either side. It was first recorded by James R. McDonald Architects in 1984 and subsequently listed in the NRHP under Criteria A and C. McDonald described the building as follows: "This detached two story commercial building is a reinforced, cast concrete structure that exhibits elements of the Art Deco style of architecture, such as the linear and hard edges of the building and the vertical emphasis of the windows and entrance. The metal sash casement windows were popular in the period as were the chevrons and decorative elements of the facade. The central entrance oriented toward West Mendenhall Street is flanked by massive concrete piers. The original doors have been replaced with modern aluminum frame glass doors, and this remains the only major alteration to the building. A pair of original cylindrical light fixtures are set to each side of the doorway. The overall facade organization is symmetrical, with vertical 9-lite, metal sash windows set at the daylight basement level, and sets of 12-light, double metal casements with 12-light transoms on the first and second level. The north section of the building has a flat roof while the roof of the south half is a barrel vault, which covers the drill room/gymnasium." This statement is no longer accurate. In recent years, the armory building has been redeveloped as a luxury hotel. At the rear of the original structure, a 9-story masonry and frame tower was added, making it the tallest building in downtown Bozeman. Metcalf visited the site in October 2020. The historic portion of the armory building has modern metal sash windows and new flat- roofed awnings over the primary entry and secondary entry at the west end. Little else has changed. The addition at the south (rear) of the property rises seven stories above the historic armory. The tower is flat roofed, with slightly arced east and west parapets, mimicking the vaulted gymnasium of the original structure. A rooftop pool is located on the east end of the building's rooftop and a recessed two-story rooftop bar is on the west end of the building. There is a central projecting bay centered on the tower's north facade, upon which are affixed the letters spelling "ARMORY". At the top of the central bay is a large oculus window. There is also a stepped parapet at the roofline. Across the north facade and east elevation, recessed panels between each floor contain incised chevrons, similar but not identical to the geometric motif used in the historic portion of the building. The west, and south elevations of the added tower are the secondary elevations and contain limited ornament. The modern addition and the remodeling of the historic portion of the building was designed by Kyle Dornberger of local firm Venue Architects. The hotel opened in August 2020. The building is in excellent condition. The addition and remodeling have had an obvious impact on the site's integrity, though the new construction is visually distinct, enabling the historic armory to continue to convey historic character. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 3 History of Property Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 HISTORY OF PROPERTY This site is the historic Bozeman Armory building, built in 1942 and designed by Fred Willson. The site was listed in the NRHP in 1984 individually. According to McDonald's nomination, "The Bozeman Armory is of exceptional significance as one of only a few examples of the Art Deco style in Bozeman, and one of only three buildings directly associated with World War II." His historical overview of the site and its significance is paraphrased as follows: "The armory was built as part of a nationwide response to the Japanese attach on Pear Harbor. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle commented in 1942, just before the building was dedicated: 'At least this spacious, $137,661 reinforced, monolithic, concrete structure of modern and functional design represents this community's resolve that never again shall our nation be caught off-guard and ill-prepared to meet the enemies of democracy.' The building was constructed as a WPA project, sponsored by the Montana Armory Board, as the home for the Bozeman National Guard units of Montana's 163rd Infantry, which was in combat at the time of construction. It was one of six built in Montana...Built to the specifications of the War Department, the 128' x 108' armory, which was to provide 'up-to-the-minute' protection, contained several novel features. Among the National Guard facilities were a maple block drill floor running the full width of the building, capable of accommodating military trucks as well. The blocks were laid in contracting patters, with no nails or glue. In the basement was a rifle range. A sound proof music room was built for the 163rd Infantry Regimental Band...Public facilities such as a Chamber of Commerce Room, meeting rooms and lounges were also included. The design originated with the Armory Board's Architects, Hugenin & Associates, whose resident architect was Fred Willson, and WPA Engineers." The 163rd Regiment holds the distinction of being the longest mobilized military unit in the US Army during WWII, having served in the South Pacific and specifically in the occupation of Japan during and immediately after the war. Following WWII, the Bozeman Armory was the 163rd's drill facility and continued to house both Guard activities and community events through the 1990s (Strahn 2007). In 2003, the National Guard moved into new facilities near Gallatin Field and the Bozeman Armory was purchased by the City who then sold it to a developer with a vision of creating a $40 million center for the arts. The project was unsuccessful and the property returned to First Interstaten Bank of Bozeman (Bozeman Daily Chronicle August 16, 2020). In 2004, two local developers purchased the Armory and used it for a music venue and also a retail clothing store. In 2007, they applied for permits to demolish the historic structure and replace it with a four-story multi-use building. The City approved the permits but due to financial reasons, the developers never realized their plan. Etha Hotel LLC purchased the property in 2012, intending to build a 40- to 80-room hotel, restaurant, and events venue. According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the new owners "clashed with the city design review board over permitting issues and the home owners association of the condominiums across the street lodged complaints with the city alleging that the new development would harm their property values. Eventually, and after many hours of meetings, those issues were each resolved and the project was allowed to forge ahead" (Bozeman Daily Chronicle August 16, 2020). Etha Hotel LLC remains the current owner and the hotel has been open for less than a year. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 4 Information Sources/Bibliography Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 INFORMATION SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY Bozeman Daily Chronicle [Bozeman, MT] 2020 "Historic Armory hotel to open in downtown Bozeman this week," 16 August. https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/historic-armory-hotel-to-open-in-downtown-bozeman-this-week/article_58c04260- 2728-5d7a-9d5d-7460bfe06142.html, accessed 3/22/2021. Brody, Mira 2020 "Fred F. Willson's Legacy Lives on through some of Bozeman's oldest buildings," Explore Big Sky, electronic document, https://www.explorebigsky.com/the-art-of-architecture/35904, accessed 3/22/2021. James R. McDonald Architects 1984 24 W Mendenhall. Montana Historical and Architectural Inventory Form. Document on-file with the City of Bozeman. Bozeman, MT. Strahn, Derek 2007 "Still Standing Proud - But for How Much Longer?," in At Home Magazine, October 30, 2007. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 5 Statement of Significance Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NRHP Listing Date: 1984 NRHP Eligibility: Yes No Individually Contributing to Historic District Noncontributing to Historic District NRHP Criteria: A B C D Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: Historic More Than One Decade STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Bozeman Armory building is currently listed in the NRHP individually, under Criteria A and C (24GA0921). Metcalf finds that the site is in excellent condition and, despite extensive remodeling and a 9-story addition to the rear of the property, the site retains sufficient integrity to convey its historic character in reference to its historic associations. The site is currently listed in the NRHP and retains integrity sufficient to maintain its individually listed status. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 6 Integrity Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 INTEGRITY (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association) This site was originally a two-story concrete Art Deco style Armory, designed by Fred Willson and under the auspices of the New Deal programs. In recent years, the current owner redeveloped the property, converting the once public building to a commercial luxury hotel. A 9-story tower was erected at the rear of the property, containing hotel rooms as well as a rooftop pool and bar. The windows on the original portion of the building were replaced, however they had been replaced once before, as noted by James R. McDonald in 1984. Despite the massive addition, the original two-story Armory building and its facade are intact. The new construction is rendered in modern materials that are readily distinguished from the historic. As stated by Mira Brody in a 2020 article for Explore Big Sky, "Even standing at street level before the massive structure, its chrome chevrons pointing toward the sun with a backdrop of the city's bustling downtown, you can still catch sight of, without much effort, Willson's work and the legacy he left behind in the Gallatin Valley." Metcalf finds that the changes have affected integrity of design, feeling, and setting. But that overall, the site retains sufficient integrity to convey its historic character. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 7 Photographs Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 Feature # 1 Facing: SW Description: Property 269, oblique view (Image #0568, 10/12/2020, EAS). Feature # 1 Facing: SW Description: Oblique view depicting the original/history façade (Image #0569, 10/12/2020, EAS). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 8 Photographs Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 Feature # 1 Facing: SE Description: Oblique view (Image #0567, 10/12/2020, EAS). Feature # 1 Facing: ESE Description: Oblique view of west elevation (Image #0565, 10/12/2020, EAS). MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 9 Site Map Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 10 Topographic Map Property Name: 24 W Mendenhall St. Site Number: 24GA0921