table of contents - the City of Easton

Building E
Administration Office for Silk
Building E originally housed the offices for the R&H Simon Silk Mill; in fact, the
second floor of the building was Herman Simon’s own private office suite. This
two-story brick building is set apart from the mill buildings by its decorative
elements such as articulated cut-stone quoining at windows and doors and
decorative Flemish bond masonry.
As this building was originally designed as an office building it can be quite
easily updated to continue this usage. Building E’s historical connection to the
Simon brothers, as well as its location along 13th Street and the Bushkill Creek,
make it a perfect location for Silk’s own administrative offices. Here, the
remarkable history of the site can be honored, the natural environment of the
site can be showcased, and the exciting future of the site can be orchestrated.
The Piazza
Buildings B, C, and D (as well as F, G, and H discussed later) create closure and
define The Piazza. Much like the great piazzas of Italy, this outdoor, pedestrianscaled
space is the public heart of Silk. Commercial zones located at the
base of all buildings and a variety of apartment options above populate The
Piazza with shoppers, café-goers, and residents. Pedestrian access from both
13th Street and the Boulevard enhance this space’s connectivity to the main
thoroughfares while maintaining its cloistered nature and inherent walkability.
Festivals, art markets, outdoor cinema shows, and farmers’ markets can also
be programmed here to make this a vibrant year-round place.