Introduction

The storefront is the most important architectural feature of many historic commercial buildings. It also plays a crucial role in a store's advertising and merchandising strategy to draw customers and increase business. Not surprisingly, then, the storefront has become the feature most commonly altered in a historic commercial building. In the process, these alterations may have completely changed or destroyed a building's distinguishing architectural features that make up its historic character.

As more and more people come to recognize and appreciate the architectural heritage of America's downtowns, however, a growing interest can be seen in preserving the historic character of commercial buildings. The sensitive rehabilitation of storefronts can result not only in increased business for the owner but can also provide evidence that downtown revitalization efforts are succeeding.

Once a decision is made to rehabilitate a historic commercial building, a series of complex decisions faces the owner, among them:

• if the original storefront has survived largely intact but is in a deteriorated condition, what repairs should be undertaken?

• if the storefront has been modernized at a later date, should the later alterations be kept or the building restored to its original appearance or an entirely new design chosen?

• if the building's original retail use is to be changed to office or residential, can the commercial appearance of the building be retained while accommodating the new use?