Sheffield Apartments
Why it's listed
Built in 1925 by the George Sheffer Construction Company, the Sheffield Apartments is a three-story rectangular brick building on North Third Street in Harrisburg, set on a slight rise. Its west facade has three-sided bays with copper upper stories, a central entrance beneath a copper awning with stained glass panels, and a brick parapet with merlons. The building contains fourteen apartments, including two-bedroom units on each floor and basement apartments, and was built with a shared tunnel to the neighboring William Donaldson House. It is regarded as an outstanding example of the small, freestanding apartment building, a type that was uncommon in Harrisburg. Its design is compatible with the surrounding Victorian mansions while clearly serving as an apartment house. Original wood floors, window and door moldings survive, and the building retains excellent integrity, with only modest changes such as new kitchens, bathrooms and fire-rated doors.
Significance in brief: The building is presented as an outstanding example of a small, freestanding apartment building constructed in Harrisburg, a housing type distinct from the row apartments and large-scale downtown buildings of the period. It is described as compatible in scale and appearance with an enclave of Victorian mansions while being clearly designed as an apartment house. Its integrity is described as excellent.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 90000698, listed April 26, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2003 N. Third St., Harrisburg |
|---|---|
| County | Dauphin County |
| Listed | April 26, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000698 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1925 |
| Architect / builder | George Sheffer Construction Company (builder) |
| Architectural style | Early 20th century eclectic style with Mission style influences |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Basement windows are boarded; the asphalt roof was patched and the front awning repaired; storm windows and a new basement heating system have been installed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.27795, -76.89460 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 90000698.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7492577
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.