Mystery of historic doors hardly open-and-shut case

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

The century-old doors are made of bronze, stand more than 7 feet tall, weigh 200 pounds each and feature an intricate Mediterranean lattice work.

And nobody is sure where they came from.

These century-old doors were thought to have belonged to the old C. Brewer building, but architectural plans revealed otherwise. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation

The six doors were discovered in a stash of items associated with the historic C. Brewer building in downtown Honolulu, said John Lyles, a director of the Historic Hawai'i Foundation.

The items were donated to the Bishop Museum when the building was remodeled about 25 years ago and have languished in a museum warehouse since, Lyles said.

When the building was remodeled again two years ago for use by the new occupant, the University of Phoenix, architects sought the return of the museum items, and the doors were included.

The problem is that the doors don't appear to be from the original Brewer building, Lyles said.

"They don't show up on any plans or photos we have," Lyles said. "If they were ever in the building, they probably were added after the building plans were made."

Local architects and historians have been unable to identify where the doors came from, he said.

Designed by architect Hardie Phillips in the Spanish Mission Revival style, the Brewer building at the foot of Fort Street (before it was a pedestrian mall) is known for its powerful stone facades, gracious courtyards and architectural details that include wrought iron balconies, large wooden doors and brass hardware.

But not, apparently, bronze doors.

After Brewer officials determined that the doors didn't fit into the restored building, they were given to Historic Hawai'i, which recently auctioned them to a private bidder who intends to incorporate them into a residence he's building, Lyles said.

"We didn't want them to get melted down or stuck in a warehouse for another 25 years," Lyles said. "But we'd like to ask the public's help in identifying these panels and informing us of their provenance."

Lyles said the doors appear to have been designed as an architectural feature for one of Honolulu's commercial buildings in the late 1800s, before the Brewer building was developed. Each panel is 87 1/2 inches tall, 21 inches wide and 1¥ inches thick. The decorative sections are 15 inches wide and 45 inches tall.

Anyone recognizing the doors is asked to call the Historic Hawai'i Foundation at 523-2900.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com