Eastern Columbia Lofts

The Eastern Columbia Building is wrapped in a vibrant, four-story-high turquoise terra-cotta facade trimmed with deep blue and gold leaf. Built in nineteen thirty, this thirteen-story structure once served as the headquarters for a massive retail empire that sold everything from furniture to clothing. Architect Claud Beelman designed the exterior in the art deco style, complete with a prominent four-sided clock tower that glows neon at night. During the Great Depression, the store stayed in business by offering credit to struggling families.