Historic Iron Block Building in downtown Bradenton available for $1.1 million
During its long history, downtown Bradenton’s Iron Block building has housed a candy store, a cigar shop, a tailor shop, a shoe repair business, legal offices, an Army recruiting office, a dental office and more.
On the market for $1.1 million, the two-story structure at 528 12th St. W., is called the Iron Block Building because of its decorative pressed metal facade.
Dating to at least 1903, the Iron Block Building was built when the town was still called Bradentown. Originally, it was located about half a block away on the corner of Manatee Avenue and 12th Street West, said owner Lawton Smith.
The Iron Block Building had been at its current location for many years when Council’s Burgers and Billiards opened next door.
Real estate agent Rae Ellen Hayo calls the Iron Block “a piece of Americana.”
The Bradentown Fruit & Candy Shop once advertised fruits, candies, tobacco, cigars and soft drinks, and offered home delivery.
In 1903, Col. N. C. Taylor, a criminal lawyer with 40 years experience, opened a law office in room seven of the Iron Block. He was also editor of the Braidentown News.
In 1914, El Primero Cigar Store advertised itself as a “Bradentown Smoke House,” claiming that it was “a step further but worth it.”
The Iron Block was moved from the corner of Manatee Avenue and Main Street (12th Street West) in 1921 to its current location 100 feet south to make room for the First National Bank. According to an article at the time, the Iron Block had been at the corner location for 25 years.
“Like all old landmarks, it must give way to the progress that comes with a growing city,” the 1921 article said of the Iron Block.
Smith, who knows many former long-time customers of Councils’ Burgers and Billiards by the the burger they ordered — medium rare or cheeseburger all the way, for instance — said his father, Council Smith, bought the Iron Block in 1966 from Rick Kirby.
Smith sold Council’s Burgers, Beer and Billiards in 2016, and the new owners in turn sold the business to Lisa Burgess earlier this month. Council’s closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and remains closed for renovations.
Smith and his old friend, Chris Hayo, once bunked upstairs when the two were in their 20s.
“There was flower shop down there forever. There was a tailor shop there when I was growing up, and there was a shoe repair business,” Hayo said.
In the construction business for 40 years, Hayo showed a visitor some of the features of the Iron Block, including bead board walls and ceilings, transom windows to allow air to circulate, 10-foot ceilings, and decorative door hinges.
Large windows on the north side of the building that once looked out on Main Street or Manatee Avenue now face onto the neighboring building just a few feet away.
Potential buyers wanting more information about the Iron Block may contact Rae Ellen Hayo at Wagner Realty at 941-920-0364, or at raeehayo@gmail.com.
