After my post about the second lives of decommissioned post offices, L.W.A. member Rita sent me this brochure about the Frist Center in Nashville. The fantastic Art Deco building was constructed in the 1930s and was added to the historic register in 1984. However, when the main postal facility moved out in 1986, the building was being used as only a branch office. Of the three floors, only one was in use. In the 1990s, the building was transformed into the Frist Center.
"The former post office space is perfect as a visual arts center. The huge, sorting rooms with high ceilings in the center of the original facility were naturally suited to become spacious exhibition galleries. The former skylight in the center of the building, previously closed and built over in the 1950s, had its function resurrected in the new design with the creation of clerestory windows to light the foyer and the new grand staircases. Proud of its historic site, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts celebrates the former function and architecture of its premises with a logo derived from a motif on the buildings original cast aluminum doors."
The website does mention that the "remaining branch post office relocated to renovated space on the lower level of the building in November 1999." Rita didn't mention that there was still a post office on site. I wonder if it's still there... So I just called them and yes, there is still a post office there. It's on the first floor. The receptionist was mightly confused by my inquiry as to wether or not they offered a special postmark. I had to explain what a postmark was. Someone in Nashville go find out for us. This looks like a beautiful place and a great art center. What a nice way to reinvent a postal building.
The inside is beautiful. What a lovely building to wander around in. But I would not have pictured the front of the building to be so plain. Thank you for sharing. I wish I could get back to my home town to share pictures of our old post office. It has been a series of small artists stalls for awhile now. The new post office is literally katty corner to the old building.
Posted by: Sauni-Rae | May 27, 2013 at 11:06 AM
The Old Post Office in St. Louis, Missouri is absolutely breathtaking! I have posted a Board on Pinterest with pictures if you're interested. It now has an eclectic group of tenants that include a branch of the library, a restaurant, some courts, a satellite campus of Webster University, and offices of the St. Louis Business Journal.
This link is to a secret board because I thought it would be easier for you to locate. If you have trouble getting in, let me know and I'll re-post on a public board.
http://pinterest.com/backfence/old-st-louis-post-office-building/
Carol Bro / cjbro2000@yahoo.com
Posted by: Carol Bro | June 03, 2013 at 11:49 PM