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Show Street Address:_____2^-2 South Main Street_________________Site No:____* Architect/Builder: Frederick A, Hale Building Materials: brick O/ Building Type/Style: Description of physical appearance & significant architectural features: (Include additions, alterations, ancillary structures, and landscaping if applicable) Built in 1902 and designed by Salt Lake City architect Frederick Albert Hale, the Keith O'Brien Building is a three-story brick and stone business block which was a department and dry goods business. Erected ata cost of S150 5 000.00, the Keith O'Brien Building is the newest of three adjoining commercial structures (including the Lollin Block and Karrick Block) on South Main, Salt Lake City's primary commercial street. The Keith O'Brien Building has a brick superstructure v/ith a smooth cut stone front facade. The front facade maintains its original appearance on the second and third floors but has experienced major alterations along the main floor. The architectural significance of the building is mainly in the facade, the interior containing many original details and spacial arrangements but not being particularly distinguished. The exterior facade is symmetrical and ha.s three vertical divisions, the center section articulated from the identical side sections by its lower height and absence of Roman arches along the cornice band. The cut stone fa.ca.de has a. consistently smooth texture and has a polychrome gray color scheme. The flatness of the facade is somewhat relieved by engaged pilasters, belt courses and, in the cornice band, Roman arches and classical cartouches which characterize much of Kale's other work. The cornice line is broken by small square finials and low-pitched pediments '******••' ••MH* ma&*m*tmmiiiminfm»mt*trm*ammit*iti**i*mmtHmHtim*H*»*t*^ Statement of Historical Significance: Construction Date: 1902 The Keith O'Brien Building is an important monument to a leading Utah developer, businessman, statesman, and philanthropist, David Keith. The building is also one of the most prominent commercial works of Frederick Albert Hale, an important Denver and Salt Lake City architect. David Keith was born at Maboy, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, May 27, 18V?. As a boy he was employed in the mines at Nova Scotia and later spent a number of years at sea. In 1867 Keith went to Nevada where he identified with mining interests in the Comstock mines. At the decline of this prominent camp he traveled to Park City, Utah, where, in 1883, he became foremar and then superintendent of the Ontario No 3 Mine. Here he formed an acquaintance with Thomas Kearns, one of Utah's leading mining figures. The two became loyal friends and business associates and together developec the lucrative Silver King Mine. The Silver King produced dividends of over 10 million dollars and made both raen wealthy. Much of their wealth v;as spent in Utah developing various business and philanthropic enterprises Xeith and Kearns owned the Salt Lake Tribune. Keith was also president or vLrector of numerous banks, railroads, clubs and fraternities. He was a '/ir.ber of the legislature which adopted the Utah Constitution. In 1902 Keith employed local architect, F. A. Hale, to design and build ;e present Keith O'Brien Building. This large three-story brick structure seated on Main Street in the center of Salt Lake City's commercial distric IB built as a. business block to house the department store of the Keith ^ Brien Company which sold shoes, carpet, millinery, and general dry goods. c holdings of that company were disposed, of to David F. Walker in the z.:.0s s but the original name of the company was retained and exists to the . c;ent ? though now in 3 different location. The building is now occupied numerous small business concerns and is partly vacant on the upper |
