The commercial core of Frederick is concentrated along Market and Patrick Streets. Their storefronts are a character-defining element of the building and the District as a whole. The commercial buildings, similar to their residential counterparts, are low in scale and rarely exceed four stories in height.

In form, they exhibit qualities typical to commercial architecture, with the storefront level clearly differentiated from the upper floors. Like their residential neighbors, the decorative detailing of these commercial buildings reflects a wide variety of styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Commercial structures have many of the same design characteristics and features as residential buildings, however, there are certain character-defining elements that are unique to commercial buildings. These elements include bulkheads, piers, display windows, transoms, entrances, friezes and parapets. Like the details common to residential buildings, these elements should be identified, retained and preserved. Irrespective of the uses occupying the first floor, for those buildings that had a storefront, a storefront character should be maintained in the ground floor of all rehabilitated structures in the District.

Bulkhead
The bulkhead is the base that supports the storefront display window. Bulkheads are made in a variety of materials including wood, glass, brick, metal and stone.

• Intact bulkheads should be preserved.
• In general, the bulkheads, including their defining elements and materials, should be repaired rather than replaced. If the bulkheads are constructed of wood, such defining elements include rails, panels and stiles.