Quarters B HABS No. VI-82 
Kongensgade 32-33 
Charlotte Amalie U(^fi> 
St. Thomas \p- 
Virgin Islands j 
PHOTOGRAPHS 
WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA 
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Historic American Buildings Survey 
National Park Service 
Department of the Interior 
Washington, D.C. 20240 
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5-CWvL 
HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY 
Quarters "B" Kongensgade 32-33 HABS No. VI-82 
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I. 
Size: approximately 90' x 50 ' 
Architectural Interest and Merit: Built by Germans for a consulate during 
Danish occupations of island, later used as 
residence for government secretary, now 
municipal office. Neo-classical with 
(front) facade. Unusual staircase. 
Condition: Offices well maintained. Exterior needs painting, boards replaced. 
Orientation: Front faces north. 
Foundations: Brick and stone rubble masonry plastered with lime mortar and 
patched with cement mortar. 
Walls: Same masonry as above on lower story wood frame upper story with 6" 
vertical beaded tongue and grove sidings front elevations 8 bays 
divided by fluted pilasters with ionic caps all in carved board 
simulatory stone. Pilasters set on inside. Interior wood jalmsie 
shutters two panel adjustable lanvers. windows and main doorway in 
north side upper level have molded drip cap in wood. 
Roof-shape-covering: Wood frame hipped (except for pediment gable) with 
corrugated metal covering. 
Cornice-eaves: Heavy wood splaged molded cornice board on north, west, and 
east sides partly removed or replaced with flat board. 
Gutters immediately above. 
No dormers. 
No Chimneys. 
Porch: Two story open roofed porch around south side and south wing. Pipe 
columns from concrete terrace support wood framed upper level floor. 
Slender shorter columns support roof. Cost assembled iron openwork 
railing around upper level. Small porch of similar construction 
(except for upper level columns of wood) half an octagon in plan 
attached to east side. Upper level partly enclosed to make a bathroom, 
Floor plan:  Uppper level: entrance lobby center with offices grouped around 
it in the three wings of the nT." Lower level: large office 
middle with rest rooms on either side wing plus unoccupied room 
and cistern to west. 
Quarters "B" Kongensgade 32-33 
HABS No. VI-82 
Page 2 
Stairways:   Unusual central stair on north-south center axis of building. 
Forms almost circular well opening in center of lobby. Leads to 
main office room lower level. Mahogany balustrade and hand rail 
around top with two leaf "gate." Curving bannisters either 
side. Concrete treads (is) negatively carved at top. Smooth 
transition to positive curve at landing across north side curve 
level room. There run revcroses direction to 4 risers on either 
side of landing to floor level. Shallow board hemicycles - like 
niche in center of landing wall. Brass lanterns atop two newel 
posts at both levels. Small enclosed stair from east wing to 
women's rest room lower level. 
Floors: Wood board upper level, asphalt tile on concrete below. 
Wall and ceiling finish: Plaster over masonry walls lower level. Vertical 
wood siding and wall board over wood frame upper 
level. 6" beaded T & G board on ceilings. All 
painted. 
Doorways and doors: Wood frame with French wood jalmsie doors, 8 panel both 
sides, adjustable lanvers upper four panels. 
Trim:  Moulded baseboards, cornice boards, molding around periphery of 
ceiling. Some rub rails and panelled dados. 
Hardware: Wrought iron shutter brackets and vertical bolt latches instead of 
hooks or holdbacks, orginal brass inside. 
Lighting: Mostly recent flourescent fixture. 
Heating: None. 
General setting: Tree standing building on government hill. Main entance to 
north on upper level where Kongensgade runs next to side of 
building. Lower level opens south to walkways and yard to 
east. 
Enclosers: Brick and stone rubble masonry walls platered, on periphery of 
lot. They also act as retaining walls. 
Outbuildings:  Southeast corner, one story brick and stone rubble masonry 
(plastered) building with corrugated metal shed roof used for 
storage. To east of main building a low two story building 
used for offices. Brick and stone rubble masonry (plastered) 
1st floor. Shingled wood frame second floor. Hipped saddle 
roof with corrugated metal covering. All openings shuttered. 
Quarters "B" Kongensgade 32-33 
HABS No. VI-82 
Page 3 
Walks: Concrete terrace around lower level under porch. 
Landscaping: Various trees - palm, mahogany, etc. in rather unkept yard 
east.. Large couch shells set in concrete make curbing around 
planting beds and trees. 
Prepared by: 
Phillip Gardner, NPS 
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