Click image to enlarge. Not too long ago, the Grove Court Apartments in Montgomery may have been overlooked as just another “modern” twentieth-century building. Today, however, preservationists give more attention to identifying and preserving our recent past—those resources dating from the post–World War II era. And, now, buildings such as Grove Court are getting a second look. Designed in 1947 by local architect Clyde Pearson, this building stands out in the capital city as a rare example of the International Style, a contemporary design usually more popular in large urban areas than in smaller cities like Montgomery. Its long rectilinear form, taut plane surfaces devoid of ornamentation, concrete construction, fl at roof, deep cantilevered balconies, corner windows, and bands of metal casement windows are hallmarks of a style rooted in post–World War I Europe. Despite retaining a high level of architectural integrity, the Grove Court Apartments are in a deteriorated condition. The property is currently on the market, and new owners with a renovation plan may provide hope for this landmark of the recent past.
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