University of Maine School of Law Building

The University of Maine School of Law Building is a former academic building in Portland, Maine. Adjacent to the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus, the 8 story building was designed by the local architectural firm of Wadsworth, Boston, Dimick, Mercer and Weatherill and completed in 1972 at a cost of $2.7 million. It expanded in 1993 to include more space on the first floor to accommodate the law library.[1] It is a rare example of Brutalist architecture in Maine.[2] It was built to house the University of Maine School of Law, which had previously been located downtown at 68 High Street.[2]

University of Maine School of Law Building
University of Maine School of Law Building in Portland Maine circa 2016.
Map
General information
Architectural styleBrutalist
Location246 Deering Avenue
Town or cityPortland, ME
Completed1972
OwnerUniversity of Maine School of Law
Technical details
Floor count8
Design and construction
Architect(s)Wadsworth, Boston, Dimick, Mercer and Weatherill

In 2017, Architectural Digest named the building one of the 8 ugliest in the United States and called it "a futuristic version of the Roman Colosseum."[3] University employees described the building's architecture and design as "a joke but also a badge" and "rather unfortunate."[2]

In 2023, the Maine School of Law was relocated downtown to a former office building at 300 Fore Street. After 50 years, building no longer houses a law school. The University of Maine anticipates that the vacant law school will eventually be demolished, but there are no final plans to take the building down yet.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Campus Descriptions - Portland". usm.maine.edu.
  2. ^ a b c Russell, Eric (30 September 2017). "Architectural Digest throws the book at UMaine law school's 'rather unfortunate' building". Press Herald.
  3. ^ Huber, Hannah (September 14, 2017). "The 8 Ugliest University Buildings in America". Architectural Digest.
  4. ^ Writer, Dennis HoeyStaff (2023-01-17). "UMaine School of Law moves into Old Port office building". Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-04-04.

43°39′40″N 70°16′44″W / 43.6611°N 70.2789°W / 43.6611; -70.2789