Richardsonian Romanesque Style

The Richardsonian Romanesque style was popular nationally and in St. Louis from the 1880’s to the 1890’s. It is named for influential Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who developed the vocabulary of the style in his own work. Richardson designed three houses in St. Louis; unfortunately two have been demolished, and the third altered and enlarged. Richardsonian houses are defined by the use of rough-cut stone, deep window openings and large, dominant arches. Typically Richardsonian buildings are asymmetrical, but unified by the use of wide expanses of wall and roof planes, and by large scale ornament. There are many examples of Richardsonian buildings in both Compton Heights, and the private streets of the Central West End. Although Richardson designed no commercial structures in St. Louis (his firm was responsible for three residences), the Richardsonian style was influential with local architects, who frequently borrowed both his handling of form and his detailing. The Richardsonian Romanesque style was pervasive in commercial design for a brief period from about 1888 to 1894. During that time numerous buildings in St. Louis and throughout the country referenced Richardson’s work in Boston and Chicago. The same characteristics that define Richardsonian house design-bold, rough-faced stone; deep window recesses; and heavy, round arches-distinguish Richardsonian commercial buildings. (St. Louis, 1995)