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MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqulyn Kirkland, 334-230-2690 or jacqulyn.kirkland@ahc.alabama.gov
The Admiral Hotel and the Marine Street Lofts, two projects in Mobile, Alabama, were approved for the twenty-percent federal rehabilitation tax credit program.
Located in the Church Street East Historic District, the Admiral Hotel is a contributing resource. The hotel, a twelve-story masonry building, is one of the tallest historic buildings in Mobile.
Designed by Galveston architect Andrew Fraser, the Admiral Hotel was built in 1940 at a cost of a million dollars. It boasted a fireproof construction, a drug store and airline ticket office, coffee shop and cocktail lounge, ballroom, and, above all, the only air conditioning in Mobile at the time.
The latest rehabilitation of this hotel restores the decorative plaster, marble floors, and historic stair of the main lobby and second floor balcony area. Upper level corridors and rooms are upgraded with new finishes and fixtures. New street level entrances, storefronts, and signage welcome guests to the historic lobby and new tempting restaurants.
Marine Street Lofts, located at 951 Government Street, is a contributing resource in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District.
The eight-story International Style concrete building was originally constructed for office use and was recently rehabilitated as apartments.
Designed by Memphis architect John Lee Hall, the office building was constructed in 1958 and housed the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as one of its early tenants.
The current rehabilitation project restored the exterior to its original appearance by repairing the bands of windows, restoring the main entry, and refreshing the stucco walls and canopies. The main lobby was restored to showcase the monumental cantilevered stair, terrazzo floors, planter and fountain, and stone veneer walls.
Investors in the projects received a 20% tax credit for all eligible costs associated with the rehabilitation. The National Park Service oversees the Preservation Tax Incentive program jointly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To qualify, the building has to be listed in the National Register, either individually or in a historic district. Additionally, the property must be used for income-producing purposes. For more information concerning standards and guidelines please visit www.nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm and http://preserveala.org/taxcredits.aspx?sm=i_b
The Alabama Historical Commission manages the program for the National Park Service in the state of Alabama. The Commission administers the federal restoration guidelines so the historic materials and look of the building remain.
Renovating and reusing these historic buildings is a win-win situation for the owner and the community.
To learn more about the tax incentive, visit www.preserveala.org/taxcredits.aspx or contact Chloe Mercer at 334-230-2669/ chloe.mercer@preserveala.org.
About the Alabama Historical Commission Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission of safeguarding Alabama’s historic buildings and sites. The Commission is tasked with the acquisition and preservation of historic properties and educating the public about historic sites in Alabama. For a complete list of properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit http://preserveala.org/
For more information, visit http://ahc.alabama.gov
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