LoRicco Tower

Walking down Crown Street towards College Street, a visitor might look to their left and see a massive brick building with a minimal sign right above the front door that reads, “LoRicco Tower” in gold lettering. The 6 story high building is currently most used for its grand ballroom reminiscent of the “elegance and grandeur of the Gatsby era” as they claim on their website. The LoRicco hosts events such as weddings (they also offer a bridal suite) and any entertainment events. This tower is centrally located amongst an abundance of restaurants, right across the street from a parking garage, and a block away from the Omni Hotel. It is an ideal place to host events. 

Leonard Sanford house (prior to 1905)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks – Elks Lodge Building (1905)

Crown Theater (1929)

Before the current structure stood at 216 Crown Street, the land had still been owned by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks since 1905. There stood another building in its place which the organization used as lodging until it was demolished and rebuilt into the building we see today. Before the Elks purchased the land, it was the site of the Leonard Sanford House. 

The first owner of the property was Dr. L.J. Sanford. The first organization to own the current building was the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This is a religious fraternal group dedicated to serving the community and contributing to American patriotism. After the Elks sold the property, the building became the Crown Theater, a central place for entertainment in New Haven.

The LoRicco Tower is in a high building density area. There are no buildings surrounding the it that are remotely similar in style which allows it to stand out amongst others. It is connected to a short building containing a bar/karaoke and a restaurant called Pacific Standard Tavern. Right across the street is Crown Street Garage, a large parking garage. Surrounding the building, along Crown Street, are mostly bars and restaurants. In close proximity are two theaters, Yale New Haven Hospital, the Omni Hotel, and Gateway Community College. Its central location in respect to the hotel, parking garage, and all the restaurants makes it a very desirable venue to rent to hold special events. 

The building has a central section that is 6 stories high and 3 bays wide with a wing protruding from each side measuring 4 stories high and 1 bay wide. The front of the building showcases varying styles of windows beginning with the 2^nd floor which features the 3 largest windows of the building. These windows are arched at the top with deep reveals and splayed sills. The 3^rd and 4^th floor have similar paired windows, both featuring molded surrounds, cross transom, and multi-paneled sash; the 3^rd floor windows, however, has cross window frame. The 5^th floor windows are also similar to the 4^th floor windows except that they also feature pointed arch tops. The upper levels use gold brick in addition to some cut-stone details while the lower levels use solely cut-stone. This building is the only non-institutional building to have a blend of Art Moderne style and slight gothic references. There have been few interior changes and some demolition of its surroundings, but for the most part, the building itself remains in its original state. 

Cahill, John W. "Emporis." , New Haven | 308877 | EMPORIS. Accessed February 26, 2018.

https://www.emporis.com/buildings/308877/loricco-towers-new-haven-ct-usa.

New Haven Historic Resources Inventory, Phase II, Volume I: Essays and Methodology,       2752(229)

Reporter, Josh Scheinblum WTNH. "800 people spill out onto New Haven streets after party;

fighting erupts." WTNH Connecticut News. October 18, 2015. Accessed February 26, 2018. http://wtnh.com/2015/10/18/800-people-spill-out-onto-new-haven-streets-after-party-fighting-erupts/.

Sanborn-Ferris Map Co., Insurance Maps of New Haven, Connecticut Volume 1, 1888, 15.

Sanborn-Ferris Map Co., Insurance Maps of New Haven, Connecticut Volume 1, 1911, 15.

"The BallRoom." The Ballroom at LoRicco Tower, New Haven. Accessed February 26, 2018.

           http://www.theballroomevents.com/index.html.

"The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks." Elks.org :: Lodge #2349 :: Our Mission/Purpose.

Accessed February 26, 2018. https://www.elks.org/lodges/LodgePages.cfm?LodgeNumber=2349&ID=12204&extra.