Third Church of Christ, Scientist and Christian Science Monitor office building, by I.M. Pei & Partners, 1968-1971. This complex of two buildings is threatened with demolition. Prominently sited at Sixteenth and I streets, N.W., two blocks north of the White House, the complex is an exceptionally fine work of modernist religious architecture. Constructed of exposed reinforced concrete, the complex is an important example of the signature style by which the Pei firm gained international prominence in the 1960s and early 1970s. Many aspects of the design drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. Araldo Cossutta was partner in charge at the firm for this design.

A nomination for local landmark status was filed by the Committee of 100 on the Federal City and the D.C. Preservation League in 1991 when the strong possibility of demolition first occurred. That nomination was postponed at the request of the church, but has been re-activated now that the land and the Christian Science Monitor building have been purchased by a real estate developer, ICG, who, while aware of the pending application, proposes to demolish the entire complex for an office building. The Third Church, whose dwindling congregation now appears to have lost appreciation of the buildings it still owns (paying ground rent to the developer) would have more modest facilities within the proposed new building.

The first round of a hearing before the D.C. Historic Preservation review Board was held on November 1st. The hearing will continue on December 6th. Anyone wishing to express their opinion on the case should submit them to Tersh Boasberg, Chair, D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board, 801 N. Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 3000, Washington, D.C. 20002. Send emails in care of the SHPO, David Maloney, at david.maloney@dc.gov. Please copy the applicants in care of: rebecca@dcpreservation.org and rwl@gwu.edu

ALL CORRESPONDENCE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DC PRESERVATION OFFICE BY NOVEMBER 30TH.

Home

National Windshield Survey

Calendar

Preservation

Resources

The Network

Join RPPN

Submit

www.recentpast.org