To spot the Marian Apartments, look for a sturdy, three-story rectangular brick building right in front of you, with big three-sided bay windows jutting out on both ends and plenty of stone and wood trim around the windows.
Now, as you stand here, just imagine the year is 1907: you hear the clack of horse-drawn carriages rolling down the street outside. The Marian Apartments, also called the Marian Flats, have just opened their doors, and Lafayette is buzzing with excitement over this stylish new address. Designed by Oliver W. Pierce, Jr., its bold brick walls and grand limestone accents would have made passersby stop and whistle. Just picture young families trailing up those stone stairs to visit, their arms loaded with groceries from the bustling market, the scent of fresh bread following them inside. The three-story bays poking out like ship prows gave everyone breathtaking views-and probably made the nosy neighbors jealous! Inside, the wooden trim and tall ceilings make for rooms that echo with laughter, clinking glasses, and the distant strains of an old phonograph on a lazy Sunday evening. The building became such a local classic that in 1983, it was given official historic status-proving that a good apartment building can achieve legendary status without ever having to pay rent!
