American Federal Building

American Federal Building
American Federal Building
Alternative names The Round Building
General information
Architectural style Mid-Century modern
Address 455 South Orange Ave
Orlando, Florida 32801
Country United States
Coordinates 28°32′14″N 81°22′42″W / 28.537357°N 81.378230°W / 28.537357; -81.378230Coordinates: 28°32′14″N 81°22′42″W / 28.537357°N 81.378230°W / 28.537357; -81.378230
Construction started 1962
Completed 1963
Renovated 1973
Demolished 2015
Technical details
Floor count 7
Floor area 66,000 sq ft (6,100 m2)
Design and construction
Architect Frank Sheehy
Architecture firm HuntonBrady
Main contractor Jack Jennings & Sons
References
[1][2]

The American Federal Building, also known as the American Federal Savings and Loan Building, the Coral Gables Building,[2] and the Round Building, was an iconic seven-story office building in downtown Orlando, Florida. The bottom two floors, encircled with a cast concrete brise soleil comprise the original building, completed in 1963. The building's unique architecture and history have inspired efforts to preserve it from demolition.[3][4]

History

American Federal Savings and Loan Association acquired a 60,000-foot (18,000 m) lot In 1961 for US$400,000.[5] The American Federal Building was designed by architect Frank Sheehy, working for Robert Murphy who founded the architectural firm which later became HuntonBrady. The building was originally a two story structure, surrounded by pre-cast a concrete brise soleil, giving the building a distinct modern appearance. The construction firm Jack Jennings & Sons erected the original building, completing it in 1963.[2]

In 1973, five additional floors were added to the building with glass-clad outer walls.[5]

The building has had a number of owners during its history including Coral Gables Federal Savings, First Union and Loan and CNL Financial Group.[3][6]

The building was demolished to provide space for the construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Plans have been made by architects from the local American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter and historians to salvage and repurpose the 120-piece concrete brise soleil latticework that surrounds the building.[7][1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Maxwell, Scott (July 3, 2011). "Round O-town icon just might live on". Orlando, Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "American Federal Building". Central Florida Modern. April 24, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Jackson, Jerry W. (May 1, 2008). "Landmark's last go-round - Architects want to preserve a piece of it to be used in the new Dr. P. Phillips Performing Arts Center". Orlando, Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ Kaiser, John (April 24, 2013). "Round Building Donations". Central Florida Modern. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "The Round Building, Orange Ave and South St". Orlando Retro Blog. May 19, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Jackson, Jerry W. (June 15, 1995). "Bank Name Makes 3rd Stop - First Union's Announcement Ended Speculation That It Might Sell The - Cylindrical Coral Gables Building In Downtown Orlando". Orlando, Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  7. ↑ Palm, Matthew J. (October 25, 2011). "Orlando Round Building: Hope grows for saving distinctive latticework". Orlando, Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2013.

External links

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