Delmarva Power & Light Building
Historic building in Wilmington, Delaware
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Delmarva Power & Light Building, also known as the DCAD Building, is a historic office building in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The former headquarters of Delmarva Power & Light (DP&L) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]
Delmarva Power & Light Building | |
Building from the intersection of Market & 6th | |
   | |
| Location | 600 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°44′31″N 75°33′00″W |
| Built | 1932, 1955 |
| Built by | United Engineers and Contractors, Inc. |
| Architect | Brown & Whiteside |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Website | dcad |
| Part of | Downtown Wilmington Commercial Historic District (ID10000079[1]) |
| MPS | Market Street MRA (64000105) |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000149[2] |
| Significant dates | |
| Designated NRHP | January 30, 1985 |
| Designated CP | March 24, 2017 |
History
DP&L decided to build the headquarters in 1931 which was completed the subsequent year. While the original building was four stories, it was engineered with a fifth floor in mind which was eventually added in 1954. In 1972, the company moved their headquarters to 8th & King and the building sat vacant for a decade before Chase Manhattan Bank leased the space.[3]
In 1997, the newly created Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) took over the building from the bank to use as their main academic building with classrooms, studio space, and offices.[4] In 2021, DCAD sold their adjacent resident hall and used some of the proceeds to refurbish the interior.[5]
In 2024, the school announced that they would permanently close down.[6] The Buccini Pollin Group, a major Wilmington developer, later purchased the building for $3.5 million.[7]
Architecture
The Art Deco building faces Market Street with an Indiana limestone facade consisting of six bays. Granite piers frame the main entrance which is below a transom containing a lightning bolt motif.[3]
The first floor sits on a black granite base. The second through fourth floors have four triangular fluted limestone pilasters with floral capitals. The fourth-floor has a parapet featuring stylized cresting in limestone.[1] The fifth floor is a plain brick penthouse.[3] The 6th Street side of the building is less ornate, consisting largely of painted brick.[1]