Square 488
   921-941 F Street, NW
   8th & G Street, NW
   Tivoli Theater
   Taft Bridge

Preservation Issues

In macroeconomics, savings equals investment. In downtown Washington, D.C., more often than not, new development equals preservation--well at least some preservation. D.C. Preservation League Issues Committee efforts during the past several months have been focused on two major downtown development initiatives that may result in important preservation components: Square 488 and 921-941 F Street, NW.

Square 488
The D.C. Preservation League has a long-standing agreement with the developers of Square 488, a block that borders on the west side of Judiciary Square, NW, and is bounded by Fifth Street on the east, Sixth Street on the west, E Street on the south, and F Street on the north. This square has a "Brutalist" firehouse on its northwest corner and is just across F Street from the Metro Center building, which is executed in the same style.

The League's agreement with the previous owner recently conveyed to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the new owner of the site. Working within the terms of the agreement, NAS and its architect, KCF/SHG, are seeking League input on a development plan for constructing a new, 11-story office building while retaining facades and some setbacks for eight existing historic structures: an 1887 apartment building at 500 E Street; the Salvation Army Building at 503 E Street, built in 1924; a 4-story structure at 509 E Street, built in 1905; townhouses and apartment buildings at 511 E Street and 509 and 511 Sixth Street, all constructed just before the Civil War; the 1880 apartment house at 507 Sixth Street, and the jewel-like Greek Revival townhouse at 513 Sixth Street, built in 1830. The exterior of these structures will be restored to the era of their construction, with interior restoration of several to the extent of the planned setback, which in most cases will be 20 feet. The Greek Revival townhouse at 513 Sixth Street will receive additional attention, with approximately 37 feet of the interior space retained and restored, including the entrance foyer, the arched opening in the stair hall, and the original stairs.

Unique NAS standards require a building with as many individual offices as possible, each with a window. A planned atrium will help fulfill the window requirements, while some of the restored spaces will also serve as clusters of offices. Approximately 8,000 square feet of retail space is planned, including a science store on E Street and other retail space at the English basement level on Sixth Street.

Because of its size and proximity to other historic buildings, this is a difficult urban design project. The trick will be to blend low-scale historic structures (essentially horizontal elements) at the perimeter of the site with the verticality of the proposed new office tower. At the same time, a harmonious relationship between old and new construction, with each element separate and distinct and the new not overwhelming the old, needs to be achieved. The League is working closely with the architectural team to ensure that on-site historic structures and proposed new construction are creatively addressed to meet this project's challenges.

(back to top)

921-941 F Street, NW
The north side of the 900 block of F Street, NW, marks the site of another major project that may soon get underway in the Downtown Historic District. The site--921 through 941 F Street--is owned by St. Patrick's Church, located around the corner on 10th Street. The site was originally developed by the church into a series of low-scale commercial structures in the late nineteeth century. Now the Archdiocese of Washington proposes major demolition of the existing structures for construction of a new office building. Seven of the existing eleven facades will be restored and incorporated into the new design. The remaining four facades have lost most or all of their architectural integrity. Under the current proposal, these four facades will be declared noncontributing elements in the historic district. The League does not oppose their demolition.

This block of F Street is one of the most important remaining in the Downtown Historic District. The League is enthusiastic about the potential for its revitalization and restoration and the possibilities that redevelopment and preservation present for a new and vibrant street life. However, the League has expressed "reluctant opposition" to the new design scheme because it does not, in the League's opinion, address the important issues of height, scale, massing, and proximity to other historic structures. Further, in the League's opinion, the preservation elements are too small to justify the amount of demolition associated with the project. The ultimate design of this development effort is a very important undertaking because its outcome may establish precedents for future preservation projects elsewhere in the District of Columbia.

As with Square 488, however, the challenge is creating a design concept that relates well to preservation elements, maintains a sense of the historic nature of this side of the F Street block, and creates a new structure that acknowledges the importance of nearby St. Patrick's Church without overwhelming it. Other nearby neighbors include a diverse array of historic buildings. Thus, compatibility issues such as height, scale, and massing are critical to the success of the overall urban design proposal.

The city's Historic Preservation Review Board has recognized the concerns expressed by the League and the Committee of 100 on the Federal City. However, in February 1999, the board approved the Historic Preservation Division's staff report on the project which, while acknowledging the complexity of issues surrounding this site, generally recommended approval of the preliminary design concept for an 11-story office building. The League plans continued consultation with the design team as the project goes forward to help ensure that our concerns find resolution in the final design.

(back to top)

Other Issues in Brief

Potential Development at 8th and G Streets, NW
The League is working with a design team representing Calvary Baptist Church, the owner of a vacant parcel at 8th and G Streets, NW, and two adjacent buildings. The design team is developing a preliminary proposal for this site, located across G Street from the National Museum of American Art.

(back to top)

The Tivoli Theater

In early February 1999, several members of the League's Issues Committee inspected the interior of the historic Tivoli Theater, located at 14th Street and Park Road, NW This brief visit was arranged through the offices of Robert Moore, President and CEO of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, and committee member Sally  Berk's contacts in the D.C. Fire Department. The D.C. Fire Department accompanied committee members into the dark, damp, and water damaged interior. The visit was a prelude to committee development of a position on site reuse.

In March of 2000, Save the Tivoli, Inc; The League; and Home and Garden Television (HGTV) conducted another tour of the building with the assistance of Councilmember Jim Graham and DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).  Approximately sixty people, in groups of ten were led by Pat Myer on a tour of the interior, while HGTV filmed the rich details and finishes of the deteriorated main auditorium and lobby spaces.  A half hour program will air in June, hosted by Bob Vila, and featuring historic buildings in Washington.  Stay tuned for more information.

(back to top)

An Update on the Taft Bridge Lions
Jim Evans, former project manager with the Department of Public Works, has advised that the Taft Bridge lions are scheduled to be completed and reinstalled by July 4, 2000.

(back to top)