1113-1129 Washington Avenue

Lucas Lofts
Originally: Levis-Zukowski Mercantile Company
Later: Cheerful House Building
Architect: Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, 1896

Originally home to the nation's largest millinery business, specializing in women's hats and clothing.

Tired, tattered and vacant when I first encountered it in 2001, 1113 Washington's facade was criss-crossed by ancient fire escape stairs. The street facades were a remuddled mess of ad-hoc infills and cover-ups. In 2005, the Riverfront Times described it as "a dilapidated monstrosity".

The fire escapes came down some time prior to 2003, but the building's renovation into condominiums did not go forward until 2005. Today it is occupied and brightly lit at night; in 2008, the neon-lit Flamingo Bowl moved into the ground floor.

Link: Lucas Lofts web site