The Morgan Block is a historic commercial building located at 313–333 Bridge Street in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Constructed in 1929 in the Classical Revival style, the two‑story structure originally housed retail storefronts on its ground floor and offices above. It was likely developed as a speculative venture by the Morgan Envelope Company, whose factory occupied the rear of the site. The building has remained in commercial use since its erection and is considered one of Springfield’s better‑preserved examples of early‑20th‑century commercial architecture.
Description and history
The Morgan Block is a long, brick‑faced edifice measuring two stories in height. Its façade is divided into seven bays articulated by quoined brick piers; the leftmost bay contains the main entrance set within a rounded arch. Above each pier are Classical medallions, and a low parapet runs across the roofline. The original ground‑floor configuration featured individual retail storefronts with recessed entrances, although many have since been altered to display plate‑glass windows on granite bases. The second floor presents paired sash windows in rectangular openings within each bay.
Designed by the architectural firm Kirkham & Parlett, the building replaced a former laundry facility on the site. Upon completion it was owned by the Morgan Realty Company—presumably an arm of the nearby Morgan Envelope Company—and served both commercial and office functions. The structure underwent rehabilitation in the early 1980s, preserving its historic character.
Historic designation
The Morgan Block was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 27 1983 (reference number 83000757). Its inclusion reflects its architectural significance as a representative example of Classical Revival commercial construction and its role in Springfield’s downtown development during the late 1920s.
See also
- Stearns Building, adjacent historic commercial block at 289–309 Bridge Street
- Fitzgerald's Stearns Square Block, neighboring historic property at 300–308 Bridge Street
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Springfield, Massachusetts
References
- National Register Information System, National Park Service (2008).
- NRHP nomination for Morgan Block, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (retrieved December 12 2013).