Friday, August 15, 2008

SKY WATCH FRIDAY - Look Up BIrmingham III




Today you get a "twofer" .  You get the lovely corner view of the old John Hand Building on Birmingham's most prominent corner, 1st and 20th.  This is probably one of my favorite buildings.  I love that dark brown against the white on the facade.  Photo #2 gives you a nice close up of the wonderful columns streetside.  The details on this building are just spectacular.  
Just another example of one of  Birmingham's best preserved 'ladies'.

To see all the participants in SKY WATCH FRIDAY, click on the sidebar.






29 comments:

Marie Reed said...

Ahhh! I love that song. We had a trumpet player come in at my wedding to play that!

Laurie Allee said...

Oh Virginia, that brown and white is just scrumptious, isn't it? I can see why this is your favorite building. I love it too.

Gorgeous job capturing that blue sky behind it, too. What a yummy picture for architecture buffs.

alice said...

Oh yes, beautiful stone work! Do you have an idea of what sort of stone it is?
I've never been in USA, just one time in NYC (and NYC is not USA, isn't it?), but I'm always surprised to see how strong the Roman and Greek influence can be strong!

Anonymous said...

The brown and white building is quite attractive as is the detail work on the columns.

Since you live in Birmingham, Virginia, you might know a pharmacist, now retired but who had his drugstore downtown, named, John Reaves. He is still around but no longer in business.

He is a former student of mine who took some calligraphy courses. He is quite the engrosser.

Abraham

Julie said...

Firstly, the sky is wonderfully clear and heading toward a brilliant blue.

The detail on this building is quite delicate. More so than any I have seen in my home town. We tend to go for softer stone which requires the decoration to be rather more broad.

Lovely images, Virginia. Thank you.

Janet said...

I can see why you love this building. Wonderful architecture.

Dystopos said...

For anyone curious, there's some background on the building at Bhamwiki:

http://www.bhamwiki.com/w/John_A._Hand_Building

Hilda said...

The detail is fantastic! I can understand why you love the building.

Virginia said...

Thanks Dystopos, I believe that is the site I linked today, but I welcome additional information on any of my posts. Maybe I need to work on the text color for my links.

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

Nice to meet you, Virginia, and thanks for your lovely comment! Love, from sunny Cascais (Lisbon, Portugal)!!!!

Halcyon said...

This is a beautiful building. I never thought Birmingham would have such beauty. I think of it more as an old steel city. I guess I'll have to visit one day. :)

Ken Mac said...

Great closeup! Good eye.

Virginia said...

Halycon,
The reason I do this every day is to showcase the side of Birmingham that most folks don't know about. Do come for a visit and I will show you around!

Glad you all like this lovely building as much as I do.
Thanks for stopping by today.

storyteller said...

Excellent choices for today’s Sky Watch … I enjoyed the perspective in both photos ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Knoxville Girl said...

You know I do love a good renovation story. This building's got great curves.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

I do love the detail on the columns.. Great shots

SandyCarlson said...

What a grand, elegant building, Virginia. Thanks for taking me downtown today!

Kelly said...

Fabulous building, so ornate and lovely! Great photo!

Janet Kincaid said...

Wow! What a beautiful building!

• Eliane • said...

Hi Virginia! I finally get to discover your blog and your lovely city. That building is very elegant and it is so crisp on this blue-blue sky. Inquiring mind wants to know: what kind of building is it? Office, appartment, shops?

Virginia said...

Eliane,
The building houses a bank on bottom floors, apartments and other uses on the top floors. Check out the link to see all the uses the lovely building provides today. Thanks so much for stopping by.

angela said...

I can see why it's your favourite the brown and white combination is stunning.Just shows what great things there are if we just look up for a change.

Lilli & Nevada said...

what wonderful photos i love the detail in these photos

Isadora said...

Such a beautiful building with fine details I forgot to look at the sky. I also love your new fall header. Lush, gorgeous colors for the season.

Ming the Merciless said...

Love the details on the building. They don't make them like they used to.

Tom said...

She a true beautie alright...

Jane Hards Photography said...

I have to say I much prefer the design and architecture to the Birmingham of my youth in the UK

The uk Birmingham blogger has pc issues again. Or he could just be in hiding!

Virginia said...

Well Babooska, you may be the only viewer who can give us a first hand comparison! Thanks for your kind words. Come on over and see for yourself.

Louise said...

Great captures of an intruiging building. Very nice.