945-947 Massachusetts - Lawrence's Downtown Historic District - Lawrence, Kansas - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

J.C. Ecke Building
(1908)

This three-story brick building is an example of a two-part commercial block building with simplified Italian Renaissance design features. The building is intact on its second and third stories. The upper stories are clad in tan brick and have stone details. A molded stone beltcourse separates the first story from the second on the façade (east elevation), and another serves as lintel for three large groupings of windows. The second story windows have a central, large fixed sash flanked on both sides by a 1/1, double-hung sash window. Above are four narrow transoms, topped with a wide, molded stone lintel. There is an identical grouping at the east end of the south elevation of this corner building. The remaining windows on both the second and third stories are identical - - paired groups of 1/1 double-hung sash. The stone sills have simple square block brackets beneath, and the lintels are recessed brick stretchers. There are four pairs on the east elevation of the third story, and eight pairs on the south elevation of the third story, south elevation. Centered above the east third story is a stone panel with the words “J.C.ECKE,” and between a smaller panel with “1908.” The cornice has large block brick dentils covered by an overhanging metal corona, with plain brick parapet above. Presently, the storefronts on the east and southeast have been closed down with metal panels. There is a centered entry door on the east elevation with flanking display windows. The remainder of the first level on the south elevation has been bricked in, except for a centered entry with glass door and display windows, and a single door at the west end.