The Coley Building Retrofit

The Coley
Building Retrofit

Project Architect:
TAG Associates, Mobile, AL

General Contractor:
WHITE-SPUNNER CONSTRUCTION, INC., Mobile, AL

Robinson Iron Project Manager:
HARRY SLYHOFF

The Retirement Systems of Alabama is transforming the skyline of Downtown Mobile, Alabama with the construction of a 35-story tower, the tallest in the state. Wishing to preserve in part the historic character of the city, they are incorporating into the design a newly restored 1908 Battle House Hotel and a retrofit of the 1836 Coley Building facade. This fully restored cast iron façade has been given a new purpose as the entrance to a new parking deck office.

The historic façade once stood at 56 St. Francis Street not far from its new home. Most likely added in 1870 to an earlier brick structure it was in real danger of being scrapped. Isolated by the loss of the original commercial buildings surrounding it, the Coley Building had lost any contextual meaning within a sea of vacant lots. Yet the proud and delicately detailed Corinthian columns supporting a deep cornice had once been the entrance to important and influential Banking institutions – The Miller Bank, and after 1901- The Merchants Bank.

Robinson Iron carefully cataloged, tagged and transported the original material to our facility where it was cleaned, repaired and reconfigured to resume its place as part of Mobile’s streetscape. It is a precious gift to the City to be admired for years to come.

Abandoned and forlorn the building sits isolated, surrounded by asphalt.