National Register of Historic Places

Motor Mart Building

Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa
Listed
April 21, 1993
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
93000330

About this property

The Motor Mart Building, also known as the Commerce Building, is a historic building located in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. It was built by Ralph A. Bennett, who was the owner of Bennett Auto Supply Company. The structure was designed in the style of the Chicago school by E.J. Henriques of the C.F. Lytle Company of Sioux City, who also built the structure. It was initially designed to be two stories tall, but the plans were changed and two more floors were added. It was designed to display, repair and provide parking for automobiles. It was also the first building in Sioux City to incorporate the flat slab system of framing of Claude A.P. Turner, and it was one of the first reinforced, poured concrete buildings in the city. The exterior of the concrete frame structure is clad with glazed brick over common brick infill. The building features terra cotta decorative elements. A.L. Galinsky bought the building in 1919 and converted it into an office building. Its name was changed to the Commerce Building at that time. The Roof Garden was added above the fourth floor from 1921 to 1923. It is a gabled structure covered with stucco. Large Palladian windows line the side walls. The structure housed a ballroom that hosted a variety of social events, and where many big bands played. Lawrence Welk played an early concert here. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Location

520 Nebraska St.
Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa
42.49587, -90.39037

Categories

COMMERCEARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Sioux City Linseed Oil Works
Industrial
0.3 mi
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Industrial
0.4 mi
Martin Hotel
Industrial
0.7 mi
Mary Elizabeth Day Nursery
Industrial
0.9 mi
Sioux City Free Public Library
Industrial
1 mi

Nearby Battles

Attack on Sinsinawa Mound
1832Early Republic
5.6 mi
Skirmish at Gratiot's Grove
1832Early Republic
8.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Motor Mart Building listed on the National Register?

Motor Mart Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 1993.

What type of historic resource is Motor Mart Building?

Motor Mart Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Motor Mart Building?

The period of significance for Motor Mart Building is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Motor Mart Building?

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