Victorian Building Styles, 1880-1910
Second Renaissance Revival, 1890-1910
Like the earlier Renaissance Revival style popular in the East between 1840-60 (no examples survive in Utah), the Second Renaissance Revival was inspired by various Italian buildings. In contrast to the earlier style, the Second Renaissance Revival relied upon a larger scale and attempted to impart a greater simplicity and order, partially through the use of two-dimensional decoration.
It gained popularity at the end of the 19th century through the Boston Public Library, designed by well-known East Coast architects McKim, Mead, and White; and through R. M. Hunt’s plan Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s summer house in Newport, Rhode Island. Private clubs, particularly men’s clubs, at the turn of the century often chose this style—for instance, Salt Lake City’s Alta Club and Commercial Club.
Other Utah examples include classroom buildings at the University of Utah and at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
Characteristics:
--symmetrical façade
--masonry construction
--arcades at ground level, often with a loggia
--rusticated ground floor and stone quoins
--accentuated belt courses
--wide, overhanging cornices
--modillions ornamental brackets under the cornice)
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