Colonial Revival (1900s-1920s)

At the turn of the century, Colonial Revival styles popular for both residential and commercial architecture. Commercial blocks from this time period did not all conform to one particular design, rather they reflected a variety of architectural trends revived from early Colonial periods.

The emphasis on Classical details seen in the images below characterize these Colonial Revival commercial blocks.

Colonial Revivals: Image courtesy of Elizabeth André

Many Colonial Revival commercial blocks are more subtle in their distinguishing details. The image below is characterized by its brick pilasters (the flat rectangular forms that vertically divide the façade) and the entablature with small, brick dentils below the roofline (the entablature consists of the wide, brick bands running horizontally at the top of the building; the dentils are the small tooth shaped details in the entablature), Although difficult to see in this image, oversized splayed brick lintels, a distinguishing feature of the Colonial Revival style, extend from the windows.

Colonial Revival: Image courtesy of Elizabeth André

Splayed brick lintels, the vertical columns of brick extending in a trapezoidal shape from the top of the windows, are easily visible on the structure below.

Splayed Brick Lintels: Image courtesy of Elizabeth André