International Trade Mart [First] 1947

International Trade Mart [First] 1947, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

The first International Trade Mart building on the downtown riverside of Camp and Common was designed in 1947 by Rathbone DeBuys, AIA (1874-1960). It opened in 1948 as a testament to the progressive nature of the new New Orleans.

"The International Trade Mart, the first world-trade market place, is as modern as the Middle South spirit which inspired its construction. Five streamlined stories of windowless concrete and glass brick, it houses the export-import displays and sales offices of hundreds of manufacturers, some 50 leading international traders and several nations." [i]

The first ITM was actually an adaptive reuse and modernization of a late 19th century structure (A. Baldwin Wood & Co., Thomas Sully, 1889). After the second ITM building (Edward Durell Stone) at 2 Canal was completed in 1967, the first ITM was renamed the Gateway Building. It was demolished in 1978 along with several other buildings for the Sheraton Hotel.

[Francine Stock, Regional Modernism; photo: Dorothy Violet Gulledge Photograph Collection, Louisiana Division/City Archives, New Orleans Public Library]

[i] Times-Picayune July 5, 1948

notes on treme

The opening montage of David Simon's Treme features a series of images of floodlines on buildings, some verging on abstraction. The final image was similar to the one above of a streamline moderne "House of the Future" on Canal Blvd. It was nearly demolished two years ago, but has since been renovated.

The closing scene of the pilot episode is set outside the Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church on S. Liberty in Central City. This is just one of hundreds of little churches embedded in our back-of-town neighborhoods.

In this case, the church is open, but sadly many of the shotguns in the neighborhood remain shuttered. I like that Simon weaves a bit of  Central City, the Lakefront and especially modern architecture into his vision. Twentieth century architecture is all around us in New Orleans but rarely seen, especially not by the ad man or filmmaker. Thanks, Mr. Simon for noticing.

"House of the Future" August Perez, c. 1940. 6855 Canal Blvd. New Orleans LA  photo: Francine Stock 

Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church, 3306 S. Liberty Street, Central City, New Orleans, LA. photo: Francine Stock

Streamline Service Station (threatened)

Streamline Moderne Service Station, 1429 S. Jefferson Davis, c. 1940s, photo by Francine Stock

This curvilinear concrete and glass block service station on Jefferson Davis Parkway is threatened with demolition. The building is situated directly across Earhart from the Blue Plate Building (August Perez, Jr., 1941, National Register of Historic Places). In Modernism in Louisiana: A Decade of Progress 1930-1940 Karen Kingsley describes a similar station, which has since been demolished. "The smooth lines and essentially the curved forms of modernism were suggestive of speed and motion. These forms were considered particularly suitable for buildings connected with travel. This gas station of the 1940s echoes the curvaceous forms of automobiles of the era."

A city-initiated request for a demolition permit will be reviewed by the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee on Monday March 1, 2010 at 2pm in City Council Chambers, City Hall. The Preservation Resource Center has photos of all buildings on Monday's NCDC agenda.

Blue Plate Apartments

Blue Plate Building 6, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Developer Tara Carter Hernandez intends to adapt the Blue Plate Building (August Perez, Jr., 1941) into a 72-unit apartment building.

Developer wants Blue Plate on Her Menu by Bruce Eggler, Times-Picayune, January 4, 2009

Can we rescue the future from the past?

6855 Canal Blvd., originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

The Emile Hymel House, 6855 Canal Blvd. was designed by the architect August Perez as a "House of the Future." It is a rare example of the Art Moderne style in New Orleans and is in danger of demolition. The property has been on the market by Natal Builders. 504-488-3034. If you are interested in saving this gem please comment or contact Natal.