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Show ?J\2 South Main Street Keith 0 ! Brien'Building k. ARCHITECTURE (continued): under which are ornamental inscriptions with the letter "K" for Keith. All window bays are square and contain a fixed transom and one-over-one double-hung wood sash windows. The condition of the fabric of the Keith O'Brien Building is good, although stonework on the center section cornice and some window sills is deteriorating. Inside, original large retail sales rooms have been subdivided as numerous small businesses now utilize the structure. Offices on the second and third floor have been paneled in some cases but many have remained in original condition but now are vacant. 5. HISTORY (continued): Frederick Albert Hale, architect of the Keith O'Brien Building, was born in New York in 1855 but was raised in Colorado where his father had a gold millo Hale obtained formal architectural schooling at Cornell University and returned to Denver where he began practicing in 1880. He designed numerous banks, churches, schools and residences in Colorado before coming to Salt Lake City in 1890 where he again maintained a private office. Amor his notable Utah works arethe David Keith House (NR), Ivers Residence, Salt Lake Public Library (SR), Alta Club (SR), Eagle's Club, and Continent? Bank* Hale worked mostly in the classical styles and seemed equally adept at Beaux-Arts Classicism, Neo-Classical Revival or Georgian Revival. The Keith O'Brien Building is not really typical of Hale's work, most of which is very sculptural and richly decorated in classical motifs. The Keith O'Brien Building has a. rather flat facade, a regular window schedule and a small amount of"ornamental detailing. In contrast with the older adjoining Lollin and Karrick Buildings, Hale's facade seems somewhat austere and shallow. Hale appears to be experimenting with the new commercial style while at the same time retaining some of his favorite classical elements. The Keith O'Brien Building was considered very beautiful in its time. One reference called it "the most beautiful store in all the west.' 1 Whether or not we agree with that superlative, the building is important as a part of a grouping of historic commercial buildings as well as identifying the outstanding achievements of David Keith and F. A. Hale, two major contributors to Utah's heritage. -M -"1A,-- |
