The Youngstown building, heavily damaged by an explosion on Tuesday, played a significant part in Downtown’s architectural history.

Currently housing Chase Bank and apartments, the Realty Building’s past is noted by an Ohio Historical Marker still standing after the afternoon blast:

The Youngstown architectural firm of Edgar Stanley (182-1944) and Morris W. Scheibel (1887-1976) designed the Realty Building in 1921 for the Realty Guarantee and Trust Company. the 12-story skyscraper, completed in 1924, uses the column formula of base, shaft, and capital. Brick piers in the main shaft of the building emphasize the vertical design. Beaux-Arts detailing with decorative terra cotta tile is expressed through octagons, swags, and dentils found on the top stories' upper band of ornamentation. The notable lobby features marble walls, stairs, and floors; a granite baseboard; and a 3-part hand-painted plaster crown molding. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Stanley and Scheibel also designed Rodef Sholom Temple. After Stanley's retirement, Morris Scheibel designed the Central Tower.

 The marker was placed in 2014 by Youngstown Cityscape, Frank and Pearl Gelbman Foundation, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, and The Ohio History Connection.

The explosion heavily damaged the first floor of the building. Engineers were inspecting the structure to assess the extent of the damage.

The WFMJ archives say the 12-story building was built on the southeast corner of Public Square and East Federal St. at a cost of $500,000. The building was completed in late November 1924.

The building was rebranded in the 1980s when it was purchased by the Cafaro Company as Renaissance Square Renovations.

In 1989, Tri-State Renaissance purchased the building for $750,000, and it was sold again in 2000 for $540,000 to USA Parking Inc., which owned the property until 2018.

That is when the current owner, YO Properties 47, purchased the facility for $2 million.