Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Façade |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Collection |
S.H. Kress & Company |
Catalog Number |
1989.13.1.1343 |
Description |
Print, Photographic; B&W, exterior photo taken at street level; the picture shows a view looking obliquely at the new store; the new building reaches well above the two adjacent structures and is flush with them; the art deco facade of the approximately three story building features very strong vertical elements emphasized by deeply recessed strips of high narrow windows with contrasting spandrels; the penthouse is flush with the facade and is topped with an arched parapet that reaches almost a full story at its center; the pilaster like groved strips between the windows continue to the top of the arch; the areas above the widow strips are filled with floral filigree-like forms; very large illuminated KRESS signs tops this structure; art deco-like panels are visible on the lower part; deeply inset brass framed entry doors are set symmetrically in the full width display windows; stamps on back "Photograph by\W.P. WOODCOCK\351 N. WESTERN AVE.\HE 3952" and "RECEIVED\IN ARCH.DIV.\"MAR 20 1939 ", inked notation S.H. FRESS & Co.\HOLLYWOOD BLVD-L.A.CAL.\MAR,12.1939\Bldgs.Div. Copy" Copy print; photo produced from negative in file Negative, film; cut film (4" x 5") taken from print |
Context |
The S.H. Kress & Company, founded by Samuel H. Kress, opened over 300 5-10-25 cent stores in thirty states from New Jersey to Florida and across to California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The first Kress store opened in Memphis, Tennessee in 1896. Many of the early Kress stores started out in rented spaces. By 1909, the Company began to open its stores in new structures created by S.H. Kress & Company architects like Edward F. Sibbert and Seymour Burrell, or built for it by contractors and held under lease. The Kress stores particularly thrived during the Great Depression, as they sold inexpensive products in luxurious spaces. Kress stores ranged in architectural styles, from Neoclassical to Art Deco to Modern and International. Towards the end of the S.H. Kress & Company life, shopping centers and malls overtook free-standing commercial buildings as the preferred retail locations, and new Kress stores were placed in large multistore structure. In 1964, the S.H. Kress & Company was purchased by Genesco, Incorporated, and the company was liquidated in 1980 and 1981. Some of the buildings have been demolished, while others have been renovated and adapted. The documents, plans, photographs, and objects that were gifted to the National Building Museum by numerous donors provide a rich array of information relevant to business, social, architectural, land use, race relations, and commercial history in the United States. |
Credit Line |
Courtesy of National Building Museum, gift of Genesco, Inc. |
Place |
Hollywood, California |
Additional Notes |
Genesco Store Number: 815? Address: 6608 Hollywood Boulevard Facade Material: Unknown Style: Art Deco Primary Building Architect: Edward F. Sibbert Contractors: |
Date |
3/12/1939 |
Photographer |
W. P. Woodcock |
Orig/Copy |
Original Print |
Medium |
Photographic paper |
Object Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Donor |
Genesco Inc. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Related Units: 35 photographs Book Description: "Edward F. Sibbert was the architect of this Art Deco store, built in 1934. An impression of upward motion is given by the roofline, taller in the center and formed by a series of rising arcs. Its vertical massing is accentuated by dark windows, spandrels, and frames creating the appearance of pilasters, an impression reinforced by the foliate panels capping these forms. The interior was lavish, with terrazzo floors, marble and travertine wainscoting, mahogany counters and shelves, and floral-motif panels and grills. The store closed in 1960, and the building is now the main store, corporate offices, and lingerie museum of Frederick's of Hollywood. A replica store, built by Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, is part of the movie set 'Hollywood Boulevard.'" |
Related Publications |
Wilkerson, Susan, and Hank Griffith. A Guide to the Building Records of S.H. Kress & Co. 5-10-25 Cent Stores at the National Building Museum. Edited by Joyce Eliiot. Washington, DC: National Building Museum Publication Office, 1993. |
Caption |
Black and white photograph of façade |
Search Terms |
Edward F. Sibbert Art Deco roofline rising arcs vertical massing dark spandrels frames pilasters foliate panels capping terrazzo marble travertine wainscoting mahogany counter shelf floral-motif panel grills museum Frederick's of Hollywood replica Universal Studios movie set Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood California 6608 Hollywood Boulevard Store 815 S.H. Kress & Co photographs |