Charles Castner (1855-1913) and William Knott founded Castner-Knott Dry Good Company in 1898. In 1906, the company moved to a five-story Classical Revival building on the edge of downtown at Church Street. The original building had ten-by-twelve foot plate glass windows on street level, a covered carriage entrance, and coffered ceilings. The elaborate brick building attracted shoppers and contributed to the Fifth Avenue Shopping District’s expansion. Castner-Knott bought the Italianate style Armstrong building next door in 1911. In order to compete with newer stores, architecture firm Marr & Holman redesigned the immense space in the Art Moderne style, and connected the floors of both buildings, easing the consumer experience. The department store closed in 1996. 1998-1999 renovations revealed much of the building’s original details. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Castner Knott Building
36.16255, -86.78233
Description
Charles Castner (1855-1913) and William Knott founded Castner-Knott Dry Good Company in 1898. In 1906, the company moved to a five-story Classical Revival building on the edge of downtown at Church Street. The original building had ten-by-twelve foot plate glass windows on street level, a covered carriage entrance, and coffered ceilings. The elaborate brick building attracted shoppers and contributed to the Fifth Avenue Shopping District’s expansion. Castner-Knott bought the Italianate style Armstrong building next door in 1911. In order to compete with newer stores, architecture firm Marr & Holman redesigned the immense space in the Art Moderne style, and connected the floors of both buildings, easing the consumer experience. The department store closed in 1996. 1998-1999 renovations revealed much of the building’s original details. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.