What You Can Do
Voice your support for Threefoot's rehabilitation.
11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Threefoot Building
Year Listed: 2010
Location: Meridian, Mississippi
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Demolition
Significance
In 1930, the citizens of Meridian, Mississippi, had never seen anything like the newly dedicated Threefoot Building, a shiny, 16-story Art Deco skyscraper that was the tallest building in the state.
Named for its owners, a successful German-American family in Meridian, the building was admired for its decorative polychrome terra cotta and granite exterior and lavish interior details, including marble flooring and wainscoting, cast-plaster walls and ceilings, and etched bronze elevator doors. Although the Threefoot family lost their prized property in the Depression, the building was a mainstay of downtown Meridian for decades until it closed in 2000 because of deterioration and extensive upper-floor vacancies. Hopes were buoyed when the building's owner, the City of Meridian, began negotiations with a developer who planned to renovate the building and turn it into a hotel, but the City later abandoned that plan.
All across the country, jobs are being created and tax revenues generated by communities that choose to rehabilitate their architectural treasures instead of carting them off to the landfill. For the last 80 years, the Threefoot Building, an iconic landmark, has dominated the Meridian skyline. It's time to connect that proud past with a bright future.
Updates
May 19, 2010: The Art Deco Queen of Meridian continues to deteriorate, and locals fear that her next date may be with the wrecking ball.
In the last several years, the building has experienced significant deterioration. Terra-cotta tiles are falling off the facade, water is infiltrating in several locations and windows are in poor shape. Without immediate action, portions of the masonry are at risk of falling into pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Even though a developer expressed interest in the building, the City of Meridian was unable to provide funds for gap financing or other incentives – and now locals fear that the City Council will attempt to remove the building from the Mississippi Landmark List in order to pave the way for its demolition.
Submitted by lulu at: August 26, 2010
I was born and raised in Meridian in 1949. My parents always took us to see the 3 foot building. Since 1968 I have lived in Alabama, Georgia and Texas. The first site that I recommend people see is this beautiful building. Meridian would not be the same if this beautiful and historic landmark is destroyed. Let's keep this landmark for past and future generations to come.
Submitted by rstewart at: August 18, 2010
do not allow them to destroy your beautiful building.
Submitted by Catman at: May 30, 2010
I am a newcomer to Meridian, and would hate to see that building destroyed. A man I went to high school with in Greenwood took the old Hotel Irving...in similar condition to the Threefoot building...and turned it into the Aluvian...who some say is as fine as you would find in New York. I wish he could work his wonders on this building.
Submitted by tj at: May 26, 2010
I think the comments below say enough for me
Submitted by thp at: May 23, 2010
It is a shame that our mayor chose to claim ignorance and sulk because she was not invited to the party although she has done all she could do to abandon this project. Thank goodness Mrs. Hester and Mr. Smith have not given up.
Submitted by JL at: May 21, 2010
This is too bad. What a great building for a hotel, condos, or apartments. Does Mississippi have state historic credits for reveloping? Maryland has a great historic credit program and gets a lot of private $ return on the public $ investment.
Submitted by Southern Comfort at: May 21, 2010
The threefoot building is the manifestation of the nature of the people of Meridian. They do not support growth and there is no revenue because of it. Special interest dominate politics. I am a citizen of Meridian, MS and it unfortunate how many delapidated buildings and roads there are. Meridian has so much potential but "old money" dominates everything. There is no future for growth and preservation if the dynamics of this city remain the same.
Submitted by Pixie at: May 20, 2010
The threefoot building needs to be saved. It is a landmark and is a beautiful (architectual) building. What would Meridian be without the threefoot building? The history is there, it can't be replaced. Meridian has lost several historical sights already-Please try to save the three foot building!!
Submitted by scrane at: May 20, 2010
I've never been to Meridian (I live in Minnesota) but I would certainly come to see that building when it's restored. Has anyone contacted Artspace Inc.? Check out their web site. They collaborate and may be the key to futre prosperity for Meridian. Good luck! ~S
Submitted by zee at: May 20, 2010
Ms. has lost too many historical buildings through neglect, apathy and lack of funds. What's gone is gone. All the more reason we need to save this building.
Submitted by Bridgette Beinecke at: May 19, 2010
White Construction Company is based in Mississippi and their president should be immediately contacted to provide pro bono services to estimate the probable cost to stabilize the structure and provide protection from falling debris. With this knowledge an active campaign can begin to obtain those funds for this first step.
Submitted by National Trust at: May 19, 2010
Dear Friendsof..... Please contact the Mississippi Heritage Trust at http://www.mississippiheritage.com/ to offer your support for this building
Submitted by lb at: May 19, 2010
The Threefoot brothers built this building after owning the lot for many many years. Their name was originally Dreyfus but they did not want to be associated with that name and Americanized it to Threefoot. The building is listed in Ripley's Believe it or Not....a fifteen story building on a Threefoot lot! There use to be a great little deli on the ground floor and a fancy, modern apartment on the 11th floor. The building is also build over a stream. It is a shame to see it in this state of disrepair! Hope it can be saved!
Submitted by nickinmdn at: May 19, 2010
I sure hope that the Treefoot Building can be saved. It would be a great loss the the city of Meridian. But it is going to take something like the Riley Foundation or other source of private money that is not profit driven to make this happen. I do not think that it could ever be converted to anything that could recover the cost of renovation. But it could serve some purpose and remain the Meridian landmark that has stood for the last 80 years. Lets hope it can be saved !
Submitted by EPT at: May 19, 2010
What a shame at the prospect of losing such an architectural landmark!
Submitted by friendsofalonzoherndonlegacy at: May 19, 2010
Hello, I am a native Mississippians, what can I do to help save this magnificient structure. shelly in Atlanta, Georgia
Submitted by vpb at: May 19, 2010
This building has come to symbolize Meridian to me. Every time I travel to Meridian and head downtown, I slow down as I round the curve in front of the structure to admire this beautiful masterpiece, probably to the chagrin of cars behind me. Having worked on multiple restoration projects, I am very aware of the price tag associated with restoration, but I am also aware of the benefits, both economically and socially. Perhaps if you see the building every day it is easier to take for granted what a symbol this building is as it rises above the downtown skyline. An investment in this building says that Meridian cares about its sense of place and understands the importance of its downtown area. This is a fantastic building.
Submitted by tombarnes at: May 19, 2010
The City of Meridian should be bound by duty to protect one of its greatest treasures. Foolish short-term expedience would result in a great tragedy for Meridian and indeed the state of Mississippi. If Jackson's King Edward could be revived after sitting vacant for over 40 years, there is no reason why this landmark cannot be protected. Allowing it to fall to the wrecker's ball would bring everlasting shame upon the city.
Submitted by JP at: May 19, 2010
The upper floors of the building have been open to the elements for over a decade and the building has gone from a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture to a hazard for the residents of Meridian. With a projected $80 million price tag in light of today's economy and the poverty nature of an overwhelming number of Meridian's population, a tough decision has been made to not pursue restoration with local tax dollars. It is the right decision, no matter what any preservation organization might say. Meridian can not afford the project. If some entreprenuer would like to restore the Threefoot, that would be fabulous, but short of that this public hazard needs to be razed.
Submitted by lp at: May 19, 2010
I have been in that building many times and in its day, it was absolutely gorgeous. It is a shame to see something like this be at the risk of being torn down and destroyed. It has been a landmark in Meridian for close to a century.
Submitted by donk at: May 19, 2010
really nice, a shame to not remain.
Submitted by von hausen at: May 19, 2010
The identity of a city lies in its people, land, and buildings. Ultimately, it is our buildings that will explain our lives to history. The Threefoot building should remain and serve as a marker in the history books that Meridian was a great city with people of vision, legacy, and initiative.
Submitted by Nic at: May 19, 2010
What a magnificent and historic building. A renovation would do wonders. I would definitely go see it.