Many businesses have occupied this building which was built by one of Provo’s mayors and successful entrepreneurs. It was built about 1903 by Lafayette Holbrook who was then president of the Grand Central Mining Company. It accommodated a skating rink and other businesses.
By 1906 J. T. Farrer had become president of the mining company, however, this building continued to be called the Holbrook Block. In 1911 Holbrook moved to Salt Lake City, but his wife Emily A. who had been a teacher at the Brigham Young Academy opened the Provo Tea and China Company in the building. The store is remembered fondly as an extravagant, exotic place – with a night blooming cris in the window around which people gathered to watch it bloom. The Toggery Co. (Madsen-McNitt Co.) occupied part of the building also.
In the 1920s the building was used by the Utah Power and Light Co.. In the 1940s the building was remodeled to house the Academy Movie Theatre. The State Bank of Provo bought the building which has been called by his name ever since.
The interior of this two-story building has been altered several times to accommodate: various businesses. The building material is from the Manti quarries. The façade is less altered – it remains plain and symmetrical. However, the parapet and central name block, the projecting cornice have been removed, thereby emphasizing the flatness of the roof. The lower façade has been covered with sheetrock and metal panels.
The large movie marquee does much to disguise and distort the building. The building was enlarged by a one- story addition at the rear.
48-58 North University Avenue in Provo, Utah
