Rounds Block
Built: 1857
Architect: Rudolph Richter
About Rudolph Richter
Born around 1827 in Prussia, Richter arrived in Bloomington in 1854 with experience as a draftsman and carpenter. He quickly developed a close relationship with Samuel Rounds, a prominent contractor and brick maker. Richter established a school to teach architectural drawing, focusing on perspective and other technical aspects. Known for his expertise in ornamental iron work and his preference for the straightforward Italianate style, Richter was entrusted with designing a variety of buildings, both commercial and residential. One notable example is the Rounds Block on West Front Street. Richter continued to contribute to Bloomington's architectural landscape until 1875, when he moved to Indianapolis.
Style: Italianate (1840-1880)
About Italianate (1840-1880)
Italianate style commercial buildings featured low-pitched roofs, bracketed cornices, round and segmented arched windows with decorative headers, and recessed entrances. Sometimes known as Tuscan, Lombard, Round, or Bracketed, the versatility of this design made it almost a national style in the 1850s.
Address: 105-111 W. Front Street
Brief History:
The block was a center of commerce and Bloomington social life.
Numerous businesses such as the Federal Cafe, Welch's Chop House, billiard parlors, and taverns have occupied the building since construction.
109-111 W. Front St. redeveloped by Fred Wollrab.
Architectural Description:
Italianate style, two to three story brick building designed as a two-part commercial block.
First floor emphasizes its public use interior with large windows and overhead awnings. While the upstairs is separated from the first floor by a string course of vertically laid brick.
105 W. Front St. - Cinder brick and glass first floor.
107 W. Front St. - Modern brick with glass and aluminum framing. It has original limestone threshold and window bases with brick and cast iron columns.
109-111 W. Front St. - New cast iron columns with aluminum and glass store windows.
The second and third floors of all buildings utilize repeating arched windows with limestone sills and ornate brick caps, creating a sense of balance and symmetry for each building.
Repetitive elements, such as the windows, stress horizontal intention of the building, that continues across the entire block.
The cornices are decorated in a simplistic manner of brick dentils and corbelling.