The Lumber Exchange

As promised, i have pictures of the Lumber Exchange building. This first picture, however, is not of the Lumber Exchange. This picture is of the Plymouth Building. When i'm heading home, i walk through this skyway and i always find this part of the skyway rather funny. Not funny as in, haha, but funny in that it's kind of weird.

Where i'm standing is what i feel to be a makeshift skyway level. When i walk on this part, it sounds hollow, like i'm walking on a big sheet of plywood. I have a feeling that this wasn't a skyway level, but probably an open lobby from floor to the very glass ceiling in this picture.

I have noticed, particularly with the Lumber Exchange, that the "old" buildings seem to have modifications made to them. I don't know how else to describe it other than, it's a bad plastic surgery job. What i see in the Lumber Exchange are, what once used to be marble stairs is now a false-floored ramp connecting the second level to the third level, which ultimately leads to the skyway level. The industrial carpeting covering the floor contrasts with the marble floors and marble molding. When going through the brass framed doors, there is more carpeting and more stairs. I can't help but wonder if it's covered marble. What once used to be an open area is now all chopped up with sheetrocked walls. The only sign that there is any part of the Lumber Exchange is a marble "enclave" in the wall. It's sad. Anywho... on to more pictures and the reason(s) why i'm fascinated with the Lumber Exchange.



This picture is on my way home, and this is first "real" part of the building that i see. It's my favorite and i was a little sad that there was this huge sheet of plywood blocking the picture i wanted to take. I'm actually looking through a door. On the other side of the plywood is a beautiful arched window that has a really cool brass pendant lamp. It's actually quite a pretty scene and i'll have to try and get another picture without the plywood.

What i ultimately call this picture though, is a behind the scenes look. Rarely do we get the opportunity to see inside what we see outside. I plan on going into that thought in a future blog and i'll have more pictures to illustrate what i mean, but this is my first hint at it.

This is from the second floor elevator lobby. It's really not a lobby, but an open hallway. I'll have to take pictures of the elevators as they at least kept the integrity of those. Behind me are the elevators and in front of me is an open view of the lobby, and this crazy chandelier! It's really not that noticeable when walking through the maze to get outside, but if you stop and look up, there it is!

You can also see down at the bottom right, where there appears to be a large opening, is actually a huge window. It is the window of a jeweler's shop. It's really crazy in that shop and i often wonder how he manages to keep his spot in the building...

I'm now down in the lobby and this is what the chandelier looks like looking up at it. I believe this to be made out of brass, as everything that is metal in that building is brass. The ceiling is marble. What i find curious is the little brass domes in the ceiling. I think those are actually heating vents...

This is the very lobby that, when looking up, you see the chandelier from the earlier pictures. I actually took this picture on my way to work, in the early morning light. Unfortunately you can see the modern touch of rugs. I understand, it's winter, the shoes are wet, and that's not a good combination on the marble floors.

What i love about this view is that the brass revolving door is situated in the middle of the arch, and the light shining through the arch as a whole. I'm not sure if the glass was always frosted but this would be one modern touch i don't mind.

Besides the physical surroundings of this building, i hold a deeper curiosity for this place. My grandmother stated that my great great grandfather worked in this building. He had a desk in the basement. I can't recall what she said he did. I don't have access to basement... at least i don't think i do. There are stairs that lead down but i don't know where they go and they aren't blocked off. Maybe one day when i'm brave. In the meantime, i wonder if they do tours of the place? Although it's so chopped up... who knows if there is anything left other than the lobby? Either way, you'll see more posts about this building later on i'm sure.