Mitchell Building

Businessman Alexander Mitchell had Edward Townsend Mix design both this building and the neighboring Grain Exchange Building. It is a striking example of the French Second Empire style, a style popular in the United States from about 1855 through the 1880s. The French Second Empire style is named after the Mansard-roofed buildings of France constructed during Napoleon III's Second Empire in the third quarter of the 19th century. Mansard roofs, named after 17th century French architect François Mansart, were steeply pitched and provided extra living space under the roof. Dormer windows project like eyebrows from this roof. View of the facade and roof; the gilded statue above the main entrance--what allegorical figure is she?
The six-story entrance pavilion Two gilded griffons flank the entrance; allegorical figures, swags of garlands, shell motifs, and caratids--carved in stone, embellish the facade. The building's name and date are engraved and cursive "M's" are embedded in the swags of garlands connecting the captals.
		Left: the caratids above the broken pediment on the center pavilion, fifth register; center: decorative winged cherub heads above the round-arched windows

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