This building has great bones! Look at that brick work!! Cool!! Do you have a Downtown Design Review or Historical Society? Usually older buildings need to comply with someone's idea of what is appropriate! If there is a government "overlay" they usually have an architect consultant that can make suggestions and help you navigate the waters ahead of you! If there is NO requirements, we will gladly jump in!!!

Before we get started, please have your neighbor relocate that satellite dish! It's giving me heartburn!!

Also, it would help if you got up closer and uploaded a few more pics. There's something happening above the first floor windows and I'm not sure what that is. Maybe an awning left over?

@kelly, nice pics! Really like the awning and light fixture! And color suggestions are cool too! NICE..

Consider exterior metallic paint with glaze. It's a great look and a great complement to brick and stone. It doesn't fade or "chalk". It is water based and non-toxic. It can be used on wood, concrete and stucco. It is used in high-end commercial, historical restoration and residential applications. Refer to this link for information and all 83 colors available in Blue Pearl Metallic Paints.
http://www.metallicmart.com/Blue_Pearl_Metallic_Paint_s/1.htm

I suggest you consider the colors of the buildings on either side of you when selecting a color. Take a look at Aged Copper, Blackened Bronze and Charred Brown Brass. It can be applied with brush or roller but spray is the best technique.

Hi everyone. Thanks for the great suggestions. Yes, we do have a Heritage Advisor: the defining elements on the exterior of the building are the brick work, the transom windows, the recessed entrances and the metal cornice above the first floor windows. We can not significantly alter those but are considering erecting a sign on the metal cornice since it is so banged up. I share your pain regarding the satellite dish! I would like to keep the black - do you all think the white trim is too stark?

Yes the white is too contrasting in my opinion. I like the direction @kelly was taking the discussion above. Her houzz images that she posted are way cool!!

Sorry, I meant to add that the Heritage advisor is not able to advise us on color, design elements, etc. aside from indicating that we can't make substantial changes to the defining elements. We live in a small town so the advisor is just a clerical position at the town office.

love Kelly's green shade.

Agree, the white needs to go! I like the idea of introducing some color. I like the green, or you could go for a blue similar to the one in the picture below the green.

I like the Peale green color with black awning.....white is too stark and the green/black looks "rich" and authentic to the period. Brass lighting would make a statement.

wondering what you decided...... (I need to look at dates of posts!)