Medical Arts Building (Newport News, Virginia)

It is a four-story, nine bay by ten bay, rectangular brick building with Greek Revival-style decorative elements. It has a heavy galvanized metal, denticulated cornice with a denticulated pediment over the projecting center section. The flat roof is fronted by a tall, brick, parapet wall topped by cast concrete. The front entrance is flanked by pilasters that support the entablature with the incised name Medical Arts Building. Above this is a shallow denticulated cornice that crowns the entire composition and carries a cast iron balustrade or false balcony.^[3]

The building was historically used as a commercial building and featured several doctors and dentists offices as early as 1931. Several of the original doctors offices had segregated waiting rooms for nonwhite patients, this was one of the few locations in the area nonwhites could go for medical care. By 1971 at least two of the original doctors offices still remained. In later years tenants would include the Seaman's union, several attorneys, and an insurance agency.^[4] The historic building has since been converted into senior living apartments.^[5]