Storefronts

Character Defining Features

• Identify, retain, and preserve storefronts and their functional and decorative features that are important in defining the overall historic character of the building.
  • A typical late 19^th or early 20^th century storefront features a support beam separating the first and second floor with transom window above, masonry support piers on the ends, cast iron columns flanking the main central entry which has a single or double door, and large display windows sitting on a solid panel roughly 24 inches or less above the ground (also known as the bulkhead).
• The storefront materials (including wood, masonry, metals, ceramic tile, clear glass, and pigmented structural glass) and the configuration of the storefront are significant, as are features, such as display windows, base panels, bulkheads, signs, doors, transoms, kick plates, corner posts, piers, and entablatures.
  • Transom windows should not be removed or enclosed.
  • Avoid altering the size and shape of a storefront opening.
• The removal of inappropriate, non-original cladding, false mansard roofs, and other later, non-significant alterations can help reveal the historic character of the storefront.

Protection

• Proper cleaning, paint removal, and reapplication of protective coating systems should be done to protect masonry, wood, glass, ceramic tile, and metals which comprise storefronts.

The 1884 Schwarz Paper Building at 747 O Street features a cast iron storefront with engaged Corinthian colonettes, central pier, rosettes and terra-cotta capitals.

The above storefront has a modern aluminum frame with the original roller awning intact above. The unpainted metal stands out from the buff brick facade and is not a recommended replacement.

The Occidental Saloon at 735 O Street appears to also be cast iron but is instead the Victorian storefront is carved out of wood.

Repair and Replacement

• Storefronts may be repaired by patching, splicing, consolidating, or otherwise reinforcing them using recognized preservation methods.
  • Repair may include the limited replacement in kind or with a compatible substitute material of those extensively deteriorated or missing components of storefronts when there are surviving prototypes, such as transoms, base panels, kick plates, piers, or signs.
• If replacement is necessary, it should be done in kind using physical evidence as a model to reproduce the feature or when the replacement can be based on historic documentation.
  • If using the same kind of material is not feasible, then a compatible substitute material may be considered when it retains the historic configuration of the storefront.
• Glazing and transparency should be retained to allow the openness of the interior to be experienced from the exterior.
  • Window treatments may be installed on the interior to add necessary privacy for new uses.
  • Reflective, opaque, or tinted glass is only allowed in the transom window when necessary.
  • If previously covered, original transom windows should be uncovered and restored, replacing any cracked or missing glass with matching material.
• Solid, non-commercial doors or mill-finish metal doors should not be installed.
• Slipcovers (metal or plastic siding material covering the original building façade) should be removed after a thorough analysis of the condition of the building beneath. Following removal, any necessary repairs to the building should be completed following the applicable design guidelines.
• Interior changes have the potential to greatly impact the exterior visual qualities of a storefront. HVAC equipment or other additions to the ceiling area that would be visible through the storefront should be set back a minimum of 6 feet from the glass. 

Awnings and Canopies

• Preserve original canopies and awnings when possible, repairing using recognized preservation methods when necessary.
• Canopies or awnings that replace missing historic canopies should be reconstructed based on documentation of the location, appearance, and materials. If documentation does not exist, replacement designs should be based on the surrounding context.

• Undocumented or new canopies should be a simplified version of a comparable canopy or a similar structure in the surrounding context.
  • Awnings should be the same shape as the opening they cover. For example, a rectangular opening should have a traditional sloped shape awning, while arched openings are more suitable for a dome or bullnose style awning.

  Awning Styles

• New canopies or awnings should match the established height in the district and its size equal in proportion for the height and projection from the building.
• The frame of a canopy should not cut across openings and should blend with the elements of the storefront to be less noticeable.
• New canopies or awning framework and covering materials should be of durable materials historically found on commercial or residential buildings such as canvas, wood, or metal. Plastic or vinyl canopies and awnings are prohibited.