Article by Rachel Terp

Description

This long two-story edifice in the Art Moderne style, was designed by local architect Emory W. Ballou of Jenks and Ballou Architects. It is an early example of a reinforced concrete structure, with mushrooming columns evenly spaced thoughout the interior. Cast concrete square columns of austere art-deco detailing (that characterize Art Moderne) with red-brick and glass in-fill repeat for the length of the façade, dividing the building into a number of subunits. The warehouse is lined with front and rear docks for the distribution of goods from trains and trucks. The back of the building continues the pattern of the front with additional brick elevator towers that accompany each subunit. The building was originally 965 feet long, with 71 separate loading bays where workers hauled perishables off of trucks and trains to be sold throughout Southeastern New England. Today 64 of the original bays survive. The Produce Warehouse currently stands vacant, and bares bares signs of neglect, including broken windows, failing canopies, widespread spalling and deterioration of the exterior wall columns and spandrel beams.

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