February 2008

Preservation Now: Building on the Historic

DCPL holds annual fundraising event at the historic St. Regis Hotel

On February 7, 2008, more than 300 friends of the DC Preservation League (DCPL) gathered at the recently re-opened St. Regis Hotel, 923 16th Street, NW, for an annual fundraising cocktail party. The historic hotel, formerly known as the Carlton, is an individual landmark and is within the boundaries of the expanded 16th Street Historic District. The hotel had recently returned to service after a comprehensive 16-month rehabilitation. Those in attendance were able to experience the hotel's historic lobby and ballroom and visit a number of the newly appointed guest rooms and suites.

Attendees included architects, engineers, developers, brokers, preservationists and community activists from across the metro area. Executive Director Rebecca Miller introduced DCPL's new President, John Bellingham, President and Founder of Monarc Construction, who together with DC Council member Jack Evans (Ward 2), made brief remarks. Also in attendance were DC Council member Phil Mendelson (At-large), and Paul Geaney and Jim Kane, representatives of the property's new owners, Claret Capital.

DCPL is grateful for the support of the many ticket buyers and sponsors of the event. Your continued support will enable DCPL to advocate for the preservation and enhancement of Washington's unique historic resources and neighborhoods.

Click here for a full list of Event Sponsors

Click here for Event Photos

Click here for a pdf of the Event Program which includes a letter from DCPL President John Bellingham and Executive Director Rebecca Miller and an essay about the historic hotel by Caroline Mesrobian Hickman, granddaughter of the architect.


Advocacy at Work

DCPL's advocacy work often focuses on providing testimony at public hearings before policy makers and regulatory bodies including the DC City Council and the Historic Preservation Review Board. Recent testimony by DCPL includes:

Click here for DCPL's testimony before the DC Council's Committee of the Whole on the Mayor's appointments to the Historic Preservation Review Board.

Click here for DCPL's testimony before the DC Council's Committee of the Whole for the Office of Planning's Oversight hearing.

Click here to read DCPL's testimony before the Historic Preservation Review Board on the redevelopment of the southeast corner of 14th and U Streets, NW (within the Greater U Street Historic District).


John Bellingham named DCPL's 14th President

In January 2008, John Bellingham became the 14th President of the DC Preservation League. John joined the Board of Trustees in 2003 and has participated on both DCPL's Project Review and Development committees and had served as DCPL's Treasurer since 2005.

John, a fellow in the Chartered Institute of Building and the American Institute of Construction, founded Monarc Construction Inc. in 1987, and has vast experience in the construction industry through his work for large general contractors, both in England and in metropolitan Washington, DC. Some of Monarc's notable renovation projects include the restoration of the Forrest Marbury House, the Bond Building, European Community Ambassador's Residence, British Ambassador's Residence, The George Washington University Faculty Club, the Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library Education Center and the Tivoli Theater.