Ace Art Company, historic commercial and industrial building in Reading, Massachusetts
The Ace Art Company is a single-story brick building built in 1924 in Reading that displays Art Deco design throughout its structure. It features a central entrance section with a stepped roofline, side sections with patterned brickwork in varying colors, and three rear additions constructed in 1931, 1941, and 1966 to accommodate growing operations.
The building was constructed in 1924 as a specialized production facility for the Ace Art Company, which manufactured photograph mounts using advanced technology of the time. Three rear expansions in 1931, 1941, and 1966 demonstrate how the business grew and adapted to shifting demands in the printing and photography industries.
The building carries the name of the company that once produced photograph mounts and framing supplies, reflecting how graphic arts businesses shaped the local economy. Its plain brick facade with clean lines shows how workers and craftspeople of that era valued both function and a touch of style in their workplaces.
The building sits on Gould Street in the center of Reading's business area and is easy to reach on foot while exploring downtown. Since it is a historic site viewed from the street, the best time to observe the brickwork and Art Deco details is during daylight hours when the facade is well-lit.
The structure is considered the only remaining example of Art Deco architecture in Reading and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This recognition highlights how rare and valuable its design is within the local architectural context, making it a distinctive record of 1920s building practices.
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