Hall Of Records, 200 Orange Street

Hall Of Records, 200 Orange Street.

This monumental public building was to be part of a larger government center when it was built in 1929. The uncompleted end wall attests to the fact. Set back from the street, the Hall of Records building stood in sharp contrast to the mid and late 19th century commercial buildings which lined the street. These commercial buildings were the epitomy of organic, urban development: at one point chaotic and random yet forming an interesting ensemble of urban fabric. The construction of this building sought to eliminate that late 19th century chaos and create a new classical image that was ordered and predictable, at the same time grandiose. Only a fragment was completed and it stands as an isolated unit without much in common with the rest of the street. Compare with the Neo-Classical former Post Office on Church Street and former County Courthouse on Elm Street. The architects designed the Connecticut Savings Bank on Church Street in the same Neo-Classical style.