Have you ever felt the weight of history beneath your feet? The Blackstone Apartments stand before you a silent testament to a bygone era. This magnificent six-story structure wasn’t always a residential haven.
The Blackstone Apartments were once the flagship store of Blackstone’s Dry Goods. Nathaniel Blackstone brother-in-law of department store magnate J W Robinson opened the store in 1895. It wasn’t always located on this prestigious corner of 9th and Broadway. It started on Spring Street before moving to South Broadway. The current building designed by John B Parkinson opened in 1917 a testament to the Beaux Arts style. It cost a staggering $500000 equivalent to $14 million today.
This wasn’t just any department store. It boasted two basement levels and six stories above. The building was the centerpiece of the company’s success. Famous Department Store bought Blackstone’s in 1939. They renovated and expanded the building to 90000 square feet. They even added a lunch counter and a beauty shop. Imagine the bustling atmosphere the shoppers the sounds of cash registers.
But even the grandest department stores have their twilight years. In 2010 The Blackstone’s Department Store building was transformed. The retail space became 82 apartments. A subterranean parking garage was added. Today the residents enjoy spacious modern units. They also benefit from the building’s prime downtown location. It sits between the iconic Eastern Columbia and the Ace Hotel and Theater.
The building’s exterior a blend of Beaux Arts and Streamline Moderne styles. Still retains its historical charm. The original terra cotta facade has endured. Although the ground floor underwent renovations in 1939. The building’s details are impressive. Note the broad windows multi-paned sidelights and transoms. The intricate brackets and fluted panels add to the grandeur.
Moreover this building played a starring role in the 1923 silent film Safety Last. It served as the backdrop for Harold Lloyd’s daring climb. He even used the building’s clock as part of his stunt. The Blackstone Apartments offer more than just luxurious living. They whisper tales of entrepreneurial success architectural innovation and cinematic history. So step inside these historic walls and let the stories unfold.