The Times Building: Huntsville's Art Deco Landmark
Discover Huntsville's architectural gem, the Times Building: a historic Art Deco skyscraper embodying the city's vibrant past in the heart of downtown [3].
Located at the intersection of Holmes Avenue and Greene Street, the Times Building stands as a distinguished example of Art Deco architecture in Huntsville [3, 6]. Constructed in 1928, the 12-story skyscraper was originally commissioned to house The Huntsville Times newspaper, serving as its headquarters for nearly three decades [3]. Its enduring presence has witnessed Huntsville's transformation from a small agricultural town into a thriving hub of aerospace and technology [3]. The building's history is intertwined with the story of The Huntsville Times, which played a vital role in shaping public opinion and documenting the city's progress [3]. J. Emory Pierce, the founder, editor, and president of the Huntsville Daily Times, entrusted the design of the newspaper's new home to the R.H. Hunt Company of Chattanooga [3, 10, 11]. This architectural firm brought their expertise to create a building that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting the optimism and modernity of the era [3, 10]. The Times Building's architectural style is a prime example of Art Deco [3, 6, 10]. The building's exterior features a combination of brick, stone, and glazed architectural terra cotta, resulting in a visually striking facade [3, 10]. The tower's repeated spandrel panels showcase abstract geometric shapes, while the base's spandrels incorporate classical motifs [3, 10]. The recessed, arched entrances on Greene and Holmes streets are framed by pairs of eagles, sculpted from terra cotta, adding a touch of grandeur to the building's design [3]. In 1980, the Times Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and historical significance [3, 6, 11]. Today, the Times Building primarily serves as office space, housing a diverse range of businesses and organizations [3, 6].
Local tips
- Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the Art Deco architectural details and terra cotta sculptures [3].
- Combine your visit with a stroll through nearby Big Spring International Park for a relaxing experience [3].
- Explore the Twickenham Historic District, located a short walk away, to see more of Huntsville's architectural heritage [3].
A brief summary to Times Building
- 228 Holmes Ave NE, Huntsville, Quigley, Alabama, 35801, US
Getting There
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Walking
From Big Spring International Park, walk north on Greene Street for approximately two blocks [3]. The Times Building will be on your left, at the corner of Holmes Avenue and Greene Street [3]. The walk is generally flat and takes about 5-10 minutes, offering views of downtown Huntsville [3].
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Public Transport
Huntsville's Orbit bus Route 1 stops near the Times Building [3]. Check the Huntsville Public Transportation system for the most current bus routes and schedules [3, 17, 18, 19]. Get off at the nearest stop to downtown Huntsville and walk towards Holmes Avenue NE [3]. The Times Building is located at 228 Holmes Ave NE, a short walk from the bus stop [3]. A single ride fare is $1.25 [14, 19].
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Taxi/Ride-Share
Using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft is a convenient option [3, 14]. Simply open the app and set your destination to '228 Holmes Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801' [3, 14]. The cost will depend on your pickup location and the time of day, so be sure to check the fare estimate in the app before confirming your ride [3]. Expect to pay around $8-$15 for a short ride within downtown Huntsville [3, 14].
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Driving
If driving, head towards downtown Huntsville [3]. From Interstate 565, take the exit for Governors Drive and merge onto it [3, 14]. Continue straight until you reach the intersection with Holmes Avenue NE [3, 14]. Turn left onto Holmes Avenue NE, and the Times Building will be on your right at 228 Holmes Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801 [3, 14]. There is metered street parking available at $0.50 per hour Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m [4, 5]. Metered parking is not enforced after this window and on holidays [4, 8]. Alternatively, parking garages are available near the Times Building [3]. Garage D, located near the Times Building, has a maximum fee of $4 [3].
