Letter
Dear Mr. Lesser:
In its meeting of 18 May, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design submission for the renovation of and additions to three adjacent buildings for use as the Milken Museum and Conference Center: the former Riggs Bank building at 1503–1505 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and two former American Security and Trust Company buildings, at 1501 Pennsylvania Avenue and 730 15th Street, NW (case number SL 17-073). The Commission approved the concept design with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the very clear presentation of a complicated project to link the three buildings into a single complex containing several discrete program functions. Reiterating their previous support for the proposed rooftop addition at 1503–1505 Pennsylvania Avenue, they recommended further development of the curtainwall design for the proposed new atrium space at the rear, suggesting that it could be related to the design of the glazed wall system of the rooftop addition. As before, the Commission members expressed concern about the potential visual impact of any ballistic barriers that may be required at the proposed roof decks due to the proximity to the White House; railings or barriers at the roofs are specifically excluded from this approval and must be submitted for review, as well as any signs proposed for the building complex.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this prominent project. As always, the staff is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Lawrence Lesser, Senior Vice President
Milken Family Foundation
1250 Fourth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1353
cc: Shalom Baranes, Shalom Baranes Associates
David Maloney, D.C. Historic Preservation Office
Joseph Dipietro, U.S. Secret Service