segmental with radiating voussoirs of plain brick and cast concrete lug sills; south facade: first floor, plain double hung windows; above these are a second row of small windows approximately 2½' x 4', semi-circular with cast concrete surrounds and pressed metal decorative keystones; second floor, standard double hung with shaped concrete lintels with raised keystones and continuous cast concrete sills; east facade: first floor, large fixed windows with transoms above and continuous sills and headers of cast concrete; second floor, the same as the south facade; the north facade originally had no openings, anticipating neighboring construction, but has since had several small fixed-pane windows added, as well as doors that allow direct access to the building's parking lot. The main entrance, intended for the bank, is on the southeast corner. The door is recessed and approached by three granite stairs. Originally, there were paneled double doors but they have been replaced by a standard plain single door. The door architrave consists of brick pilasters with cast concrete bases and pressed metal Ionic capitals and a segmental pediment also of pressed metal. The second story window surround continues the classic effect with a triangular pediment supported by brackets over two double hung windows, since replaced by a single fixed, four pane window imitating the original. Above this pediment is a rectangular cast concrete cartouche bearing the name "SEARS". The second entrance is centered on the east facade and bears many of the same features: pressed metal pediments, etc. History The Sears Building was built in 1891 by Boston millionaire, philanthropist and Kirkland investor Joshua Montgomery Sears II (1854-1905) as part of the speculative land boom following Peter Kirk's proposal of building a steel producing mecca that would rival Pittsburgh on the east side of Lake Washington. Sears was born on Christmas Day 1854 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts as the only son of Joshua M. Sears I, a prominent Boston grocer who had built the family fortune from the ground up, but died when the younger Sears was only 2. With a yearly stipend from his father's estate and through a series of wise investments, the young Sears soon amassed his own fortune. He became known as "The Boston Astor" and was reportedly the single biggest tax payer in the city. A major patron of the arts (he at one time owned the Jupiter Stradivarius) he is only remembered today through the famous