Letter
Dear Ms. Wright:
In its meeting of 16 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the proposed final design from the General Services Administration (GSA) for the redevelopment of the Old Post Office Building and Annex at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, for use as a Trump International Hotel. The Commission expressed appreciation for the excellent presentation and approved the proposal subject to the following comments.
The Commission members remarked that the project would be elegant and appropriately respectful of the exterior of this landmark property. They suggested that the building lighting should highlight the most important architectural features instead of the entire structure, and they recommended coordinating this lighting plan with any forthcoming GSA plans for the lighting of the Federal Triangle as a whole. Noting the proposal to retain the series of American flags above the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance and to replace the numerous signed window awnings, they concluded that the flags at the second-floor corners are excessive and should be removed from the design. They cautioned against the use of clear glass at entrance canopy roofs due to the potential for accumulated dirt and debris, but they acknowledged the commitment of the Trump Organization to undertake a rigorous maintenance program to ensure a high-quality appearance. As part of the final approval, the Commission delegated to the staff the review of an exterior lighting mockup and a fully coordinated set of construction documents.
The Commission looks forward to renewed use of this significant federal building. Please coordinate with the staff to complete the final approval action.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Mina Wright, Director
Office of Planning and Design Quality
U.S. General Services Administration
301 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20407-0001
cc: Hany Hassan, Beyer Blinder Belle
David Orowitz, The Trump Organization