Brownstone Renovation – A work in Progress at # 13 First Street
The quarry which supplied all, or most, of the iconic soft brown sandstone is empty! Let me be more specific: The quarry located in Portland, CT, which furnished the stone facing known as “Brownstone” to drive the Northeast’s housing craze of the 19th century, is closed. An article, “Bidding Farewell to a City’s Precious Stone,” published in the New York Times 10/23/12, stated, “…by the end of this month the quarry’s final scraps of inventory should be gone.” In other words, there is no more of this indigenous material available, with the possible exception of some hoarded inventory bought up by contractors who saw the end coming.
The message couldn’t be more clear: The species “Brownstone” has moved beyond “endangered” to “on the path to extinction.”
And Troy, NY, amongst its storied diverse architecture, has many prominent Brownstones. No. 13 First St. is one example as it stands there between two taller facades making its own statement of relative importance. Maybe we could say,” It has a purposeful look,” or we could come up with some other more suitable description. Either way, built in 1852, in the arguably Italianate style, its purpose was to serve as the new headquarters of the Manufacturers Bank of Troy. The archives of the Rensselaer County Historical Society have produced a 1989 Historic Building report which gives us a lot of information on this structure: “On May 1st 1856 the bank (Manufacturers) removed to the corner of River and King Streets and Central Bank of Troy moved to #13 First St. In 1867 it became the Central National Bank of Troy and remained there through 1904. By 1906 Knox and Mead Insurance Co. moved from #14 State St to #13 First St. They still conduct business there (In1986) under Love, Knox & Mead Ins. Co.”
To serve the needs of #13’s various banking and insurance occupants over the years, the report continues, “A massive and spacious vault made of chrome five ply steel and iron, with fireproof filling, was built in the banking room, in January, 1890, by Herring & Co. of New York City.” The vault is still present in 2014 as a major historical component of the building.
Within the reach of a hefty Frisbee-throw in any direction from #13, in the days of the Central National Bank, one could count five or six other banks making up a bustling financial district servicing a groaning and prosperous city.
#13 First has served several owners since that RCHS Historic Building Report, but in recent years the building has suffered serious deferred maintenance issues.
On December 6, 2013, it was purchased by Tai Ventures, LLC to serve as their local business office and is already undergoing substantial restoration work. Dr. Luther Tai, former Senior Executive at Consolidated Edison, and currently CEO of Roberts Bay Marina of Venice FL. along with his sister, Dr. Lolly Tai, Professor of Landscape Architecture at Temple University (PA) are the new owners. They state, “Our primary goal is to preserve the historical character of buildings and to restore them promptly when we acquire them.” Tai Ventures, LLC was first introduced to Troy about a year ago when the company purchased #17 First St which is also currently under renovation.
Their goal of historically correct renovation is assisted by Joseph Michael Kelly, Preservation Architect. He says, “Historic buildings like Knox and Mead are irreplaceable.” And, “Troy has such a rich architectural heritage and I see endless conservation opportunities.”
Indeed, as this column has proclaimed before, Troy has many treasures. Most important among these invaluable assets are its residents, long timers as well as newly arrived, who strive to create a liveable, walkable, diverse city; its talented work force, and of course its rich architecture.