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{{Short description|Tallest Building in Huntington, WV}}
{{Short description|Tallest Building in Huntington, WV}}
{{Draft topics|architecture|north-america}}
{{AfC topic|geo}}
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{{AFC submission|d|npov|u=Samz73428091|ns=118|decliner=SafariScribe|declinets=20240718051433|ts=20240718045551}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->




{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name = The West Virginia Building
| name = West Virginia Building
| image = West Virginia Building.jpg
| image = West Virginia Building.jpg
| image_caption = The West Virginia Building in 2006.
| image_caption = West Virginia Building in 2006.
| image_size = 200px
| image_size = 150px
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| height = 200 [[feet (unit)|ft]]/61 [[meters|m]]<ref name= skyscrapercom>{{Cite web|title=West Virginia Building on skyscraper.com|url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/west-virginia-building/28395|access-date=July 22, 2024 |publisher=Skyscraper.com}}</ref>
| floors = 15<ref name=skyscrapercom/>
| former_names = Union Bank, Trust Building
| former_names = Union Bank, Trust Building
| status = Open
| status = Open
Line 22: Line 18:
| location_country = [[USA]]
| location_country = [[USA]]
| opened_date = 1925<ref name=UnionBank/>
| opened_date = 1925<ref name=UnionBank/>
| architecture_firm = Meaner and Handloser
| architecture_firm = [[Meanor & Handloser]]
}}
}}


The West Virginia Building is the tallest in [[Huntington, West Virginia]].
The '''West Virginia Building''' is the tallest in [[Huntington, West Virginia]].


==History==
==History==
In 1924, the Union Bank and Trust Company commissioned the architectural firm Meaner and Handloser to design a [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Renaissance Revival-style]] [[office|office building]] at the corner of 9th Street and 4th Avenue. The fifteen-story structure featured an [[ashlar]] stone [[façade]] on the bottom and top floors, with brick in between. Initially, this building served as the new home for the Union Bank and Trust Company, replacing their previous frame structure on the same corner.<ref name=UnionBank>{{Cite web |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-the-union-bank/article_536a1260-ef86-5ebe-a997-684d87e9f014.html |title=Lost Huntington: The Union Bank|access-date=July 18, 2024|date=July 10, 2017|publisher=[[Herald Dispatch]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=August 1, 2009|title=West Virginia Building is tallest in downtown Huntington Skyline|url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/business/west-virginia-building-is-tallest-in-downtown-huntington-skyline/article_a7389e9d-a49c-5469-a166-6416cf04d7df.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Herald Dispatch}}</ref>
In 1924, the Union Bank and Trust Company commissioned the architectural firm [[Meanor & Handloser]] to design a [[Renaissance Revival architecture|Renaissance Revival-style]] [[office|office building]] at the corner of 9th Street and 4th Avenue. The fifteen-story structure featured an [[ashlar]] stone [[façade]] on the bottom and top floors, with brick in between. Initially, this building served as the new home for the Union Bank and Trust Company, replacing their previous frame structure on the same corner.<ref name=UnionBank>{{Cite web |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-the-union-bank/article_536a1260-ef86-5ebe-a997-684d87e9f014.html |title=Lost Huntington: The Union Bank|access-date=July 18, 2024|date=July 10, 2017|publisher=[[Herald Dispatch]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=August 1, 2009|title=West Virginia Building is tallest in downtown Huntington Skyline|url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/business/west-virginia-building-is-tallest-in-downtown-huntington-skyline/article_a7389e9d-a49c-5469-a166-6416cf04d7df.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Herald Dispatch}}</ref>


Despite extensive promotion during its construction, the Union Bank and Trust Company closed following the 1929 [[stock market crash]]. In 1943, local businessmen purchased the building and renamed it the West Virginia Building, the state's tallest commercial building.<ref name=UnionBank/>
Despite extensive promotion during its construction, the Union Bank and Trust Company closed following the 1929 [[stock market crash]]. In 1943, a local businessman purchased the building and renamed it the West Virginia Building, the state's tallest commercial building.<ref name=UnionBank/>


===Walgreens Era===
===Walgreens Era===
In 1937, the building's first floor was remodeled to house a [[Walgreens|Walgreens Drug Store]]. One of its employees, Virginia Ruth Egnor, later became the 1950s television star [[Dagmar (actress)|Dagmar]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.huntingtonquarterly.com/articles/issue35/dagmar.html |title="The Delightful Dagmar," ''Huntington Quarterly'' 35, 1999. |access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-date=2018-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052819/https://www.huntingtonquarterly.com/articles/issue35/dagmar.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Walgreens store closed in 1961 when the company declined to renew its lease. Thrift Drug Company briefly occupied the space afterward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casto |first=James |date=October 11, 2016 |title=Lost Huntington: 9th Street Walgreens |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-th-street-walgreens/article_a25a3008-7aff-54e4-a163-904c6738d47a.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=[[Herald Dispatch]]}}</ref>
In 1937, the building's first floor was remodeled to house a [[Walgreens|Walgreens Drug Store]]. One of its employees, Virginia Ruth Egnor, later became the 1950s television star [[Dagmar (actress)|Dagmar]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.huntingtonquarterly.com/articles/issue35/dagmar.html |title="The Delightful Dagmar," ''Huntington Quarterly'' 35, 1999. |access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-date=2018-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052819/https://www.huntingtonquarterly.com/articles/issue35/dagmar.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Walgreens store closed in 1961 when the company declined to renew its lease. Thrift Drug Company briefly occupied the space afterward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casto |first=James |date=October 11, 2016 |title=Lost Huntington: 9th Street Walgreens |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/special/lost_huntington/lost-huntington-th-street-walgreens/article_a25a3008-7aff-54e4-a163-904c6738d47a.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=[[Herald Dispatch]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=West Virginia Building, Huntington, W. Va.|url=https://wvhistoryonview.org/catalog/007024|access-date=July 22, 2024 |publisher=[[West Virginia University]]}}</ref>


===WSAZ and Broadcasting===
===WSAZ and Broadcasting===
In 1949, when news station [[WSAZ]] transitioned from radio to television, their offices were temporarily located in the West Virginia Building to utilize its height for broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roe|first=Ken|date=|title=History of WSAZ-TV, Huntington
In 1949, when news station [[WSAZ]] transitioned from radio to television, their offices were temporarily located in the West Virginia Building to utilize its height for [[broadcasting]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roe|first=Ken|date=|title=History of WSAZ-TV, Huntington
|url=https://jeff560.tripod.com/wsaz2.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Jeff Miller}}</ref> Notably, in 1950, the station crew broadcasted a live fire from a building window at The Tipon Theater.<ref>{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=|title=The Tipon Theater
|url=https://jeff560.tripod.com/wsaz2.html |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Jeff Miller}}</ref> Notably, in 1950, the station crew broadcast a live fire from a building window at The Tipon Theater.<ref>{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=|title=The Tipon Theater
|url=https://cabellcountydoorstothepast.com/Old%20Huntington/Tipton%20Theater.htm |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=cabellcountydoorstothepast.com}}</ref>
|url=https://cabellcountydoorstothepast.com/Old%20Huntington/Tipton%20Theater.htm |access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=cabellcountydoorstothepast.com}}</ref>


===Later Use and Renovations===
===Later Use and Renovations===
In 2007, the building was acquired by Well Street Properties, LLC, a New York-based company. Local businessman Alex Vence purchased it in 2013 and continued renovations to create upscale luxury apartments. Notable improvements included cosmetic upgrades to the exterior and the installation of a multi-colored LED lighting system on the top two floors, modeled after the Empire State Building's lighting system, which changes colors to commemorate various events and holidays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://downtownhuntington.net/property/10th-floor-the-west-virginia-building/|title=10th Floor, The West Virginia Building|access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Downtown Huntington}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visithuntingtonwv.org/company/the-west-virginia-penthouse/|title=Visit Huntington,The WV Building|access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Visit Huntington}}</ref>
In 2007, the building was acquired by Well Street Properties, LLC, a [[New York (state)|New York]]-based company. Alex Vence purchased it in 2013 and continued renovations to create upscale luxury apartments. Notable improvements included cosmetic upgrades to the exterior and installing a multi-colored LED lighting system on the top two floors, modeled after the [[Empire State Building]]'s lighting system, which changes colors to commemorate various events and holidays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://downtownhuntington.net/property/10th-floor-the-west-virginia-building/|title=10th Floor, The West Virginia Building|access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Downtown Huntington}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visithuntingtonwv.org/company/the-west-virginia-penthouse/|title=Visit Huntington,The WV Building|access-date=July 18, 2024 |publisher=Visit Huntington}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Cityscape of Huntington, West Virginia]]
*[[Cityscape of Huntington, West Virginia]]
*[[Downtown Huntington Historic District]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Huntington, West Virginia}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Huntington, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1925]]
[[Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in the United States]]

Revision as of 12:23, 26 July 2024

West Virginia Building
West Virginia Building in 2006.
Former namesUnion Bank, Trust Building
General information
StatusOpen
TypeOffice Building
Architectural styleRenaissance Revival-style
Address910 4th Ave, Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Town or cityHuntington, West Virginia
CountryUSA
Opened1925[2]
Height200 ft/61 m[1]
Technical details
Floor count15[1]
Design and construction
Architecture firmMeanor & Handloser

The West Virginia Building is the tallest in Huntington, West Virginia.

History

In 1924, the Union Bank and Trust Company commissioned the architectural firm Meanor & Handloser to design a Renaissance Revival-style office building at the corner of 9th Street and 4th Avenue. The fifteen-story structure featured an ashlar stone façade on the bottom and top floors, with brick in between. Initially, this building served as the new home for the Union Bank and Trust Company, replacing their previous frame structure on the same corner.[2][3]

Despite extensive promotion during its construction, the Union Bank and Trust Company closed following the 1929 stock market crash. In 1943, a local businessman purchased the building and renamed it the West Virginia Building, the state's tallest commercial building.[2]

Walgreens Era

In 1937, the building's first floor was remodeled to house a Walgreens Drug Store. One of its employees, Virginia Ruth Egnor, later became the 1950s television star Dagmar.[4] The Walgreens store closed in 1961 when the company declined to renew its lease. Thrift Drug Company briefly occupied the space afterward.[5][6]

WSAZ and Broadcasting

In 1949, when news station WSAZ transitioned from radio to television, their offices were temporarily located in the West Virginia Building to utilize its height for broadcasting.[7] Notably, in 1950, the station crew broadcast a live fire from a building window at The Tipon Theater.[8]

Later Use and Renovations

In 2007, the building was acquired by Well Street Properties, LLC, a New York-based company. Alex Vence purchased it in 2013 and continued renovations to create upscale luxury apartments. Notable improvements included cosmetic upgrades to the exterior and installing a multi-colored LED lighting system on the top two floors, modeled after the Empire State Building's lighting system, which changes colors to commemorate various events and holidays.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "West Virginia Building on skyscraper.com". Skyscraper.com. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Lost Huntington: The Union Bank". Herald Dispatch. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "West Virginia Building is tallest in downtown Huntington Skyline". Herald Dispatch. August 1, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  4. ^ ""The Delightful Dagmar," Huntington Quarterly 35, 1999". Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Casto, James (October 11, 2016). "Lost Huntington: 9th Street Walgreens". Herald Dispatch. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "West Virginia Building, Huntington, W. Va". West Virginia University. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Roe, Ken. "History of WSAZ-TV, Huntington". Jeff Miller. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "The Tipon Theater". cabellcountydoorstothepast.com. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "10th Floor, The West Virginia Building". Downtown Huntington. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  10. ^ "Visit Huntington,The WV Building". Visit Huntington. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
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