Columbia Building, Historic high-rise building in Louisville, Kentucky
The Columbia Building was a ten-story high-rise constructed at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, built with pressed red brick and designed in the Romanesque Revival style. The structure featured characteristic arches and decorative stonework typical of this architectural movement from the late 1800s.
The building was completed in 1890 as the second skyscraper in Louisville, following the pioneering methods developed in Chicago. It remained the city's tallest structure until 1906, when new construction surpassed its height.
The building once stood at the corner of Fourth and Main streets as a symbol of Louisville's growth and modern ambitions during the late 1800s. It demonstrated how the city was keeping pace with architectural innovations happening in larger American centers.
The building no longer stands, as it was demolished in 1966 and replaced by a modern office tower. Visitors interested in its history can find photographs and documents in Louisville's local archives and historical museums.
The building was designed by architect Cornelius Curtin, who incorporated Romanesque style elements in a way that was uncommon for the region. This design choice set new standards for architecture in Kentucky during that era.
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