Stangenwald Building
Encyclopedia
The Stangenwald Building at 119 Merchant Street, in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii
was the city's first high-rise office building, with its own law library, and one of the earliest electric elevators in the (then) Territory
when it was built in 1901. It was also advertised as "fireproof" because it was built of concrete, stone, brick, and steel, with no wood except in the windows, doors, and furniture, and because it had fireproof vaults and firehoses on every floor. Fireproofing was an important selling point because of the fire that had devastated nearby Chinatown
the previous year.) Apart from a few exceptional structures like Aloha Tower
(1926) and Honolulu Hale
(1929), it remained the tallest building in Honolulu for half a century, until the building boom of the 1950s.
Young local architect
C.W. Dickey designed it with features of Italianate architecture
: arched windows, terra cotta
ornaments, and a wide balcony with fine grillwork
above the entrance. Every floor had a unique exterior. The interior vestibule and hall were decorated with mosaic tile floors and marble panelling
, while the stairways had slate and marble steps. In 1980, another local architect, James K. Tsugawa, completed an award-winning restoration.
Dr. Hugo Stangenwald was an Austrian physician and pioneer photographer who arrived in Honolulu in 1853. In 1869, he bought the 5303 square feet (492.7 m²) property and built his medical offices there, in partnership with Dr. Gerrit P. Judd
next door. Not long before he died in 1899, he leased the land to a group who planned a fine structure to match the quality of the Judd Building (1898) next door, designed by Oliver G. Traphagen
, who had just arrived from Duluth, Minnesota
.
The building now holds the offices of the Honolulu Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
(AIA), founded in 1926, with Dickey as its inaugural president. In 2003, the firm of Ferraro Choi & Associates completed a restoration of those offices that won three of the AIA's annual design awards. This downtown landmark also serves as the starting point for the AIA's Architectural Walking Tours of downtown Honolulu.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
was the city's first high-rise office building, with its own law library, and one of the earliest electric elevators in the (then) Territory
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
when it was built in 1901. It was also advertised as "fireproof" because it was built of concrete, stone, brick, and steel, with no wood except in the windows, doors, and furniture, and because it had fireproof vaults and firehoses on every floor. Fireproofing was an important selling point because of the fire that had devastated nearby Chinatown
Chinatown, Honolulu
The Chinatown Historic District is a neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii known for its Chinese people and is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States.-History:The area was probably used by fishermen during ancient Hawaii but little evidence remains...
the previous year.) Apart from a few exceptional structures like Aloha Tower
Aloha Tower
The Aloha Tower is a lighthouse that is considered one of the landmarks of the state of Hawaii in the United States. Opened on September 11, 1926, the Aloha Tower is located at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor. It has and continues to be a guiding beacon welcoming vessels to the City and County of Honolulu...
(1926) and Honolulu Hale
Honolulu Hale
Honolulu Hale , located on 530 South King Street in downtown Honolulu in the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, is the official seat of government of the city and county, site of the chambers of the Mayor of Honolulu and the Honolulu City Council.In the Hawaiian language, hale means house or building...
(1929), it remained the tallest building in Honolulu for half a century, until the building boom of the 1950s.
Young local architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
C.W. Dickey designed it with features of Italianate architecture
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
: arched windows, terra cotta
Terra cotta
Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic, although the term can also be applied to glazed ceramics where the fired body is porous and red in color...
ornaments, and a wide balcony with fine grillwork
Grillwork
Grillwork is decorative grating of metal, wood, stone, or other material used as a screen, divider, barrier, or as a purely decorative element. It may function as a window, either with or without glazing. Grillwork may also refer to grilles, decorative front ends of motor vehicles...
above the entrance. Every floor had a unique exterior. The interior vestibule and hall were decorated with mosaic tile floors and marble panelling
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
, while the stairways had slate and marble steps. In 1980, another local architect, James K. Tsugawa, completed an award-winning restoration.
Dr. Hugo Stangenwald was an Austrian physician and pioneer photographer who arrived in Honolulu in 1853. In 1869, he bought the 5303 square feet (492.7 m²) property and built his medical offices there, in partnership with Dr. Gerrit P. Judd
Gerrit P. Judd
Gerrit Parmele Judd was an American physician and missionary to the Kingdom of Hawaii who later became a trusted advisor and cabinet minister to King Kamehameha III.- Life :...
next door. Not long before he died in 1899, he leased the land to a group who planned a fine structure to match the quality of the Judd Building (1898) next door, designed by Oliver G. Traphagen
Oliver G. Traphagen
Oliver G. Traphagen was an American architect who designed many notable buildings in Duluth, Minnesota during the late 19th century and in the Territory of Hawaii during the early 20th century. Among his most famous landmarks are the Oliver G...
, who had just arrived from Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
.
The building now holds the offices of the Honolulu Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA), founded in 1926, with Dickey as its inaugural president. In 2003, the firm of Ferraro Choi & Associates completed a restoration of those offices that won three of the AIA's annual design awards. This downtown landmark also serves as the starting point for the AIA's Architectural Walking Tours of downtown Honolulu.
Further reading
- Sandler, Rob, Julie Mehta, and Frank S. Haines (2008). Architecture in Hawaii: A Chronological Survey, new edition. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing.