Letter
Dear Mr. Lesser:
In its public meeting of 19 November conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a final design submission for the renovation of and additions to two adjacent buildings for use as the Milken Center for the American Dream: the former American Security and Trust Company building at 1501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and the former Riggs Bank building at 1503–1505 Pennsylvania Avenue (case number SL 21- 035). The Commission approved the final design with the following comments.
The Commission members commended the project team for the care and stewardship they have brought to the design of this complex project to connect the two historic bank buildings with the adjacent historic office building at 730 15th Street, NW. They expressed appreciation for the removal of unsightly rooftop mechanical equipment and its replacement by an addition that relates to the historic copper-clad roof structures. Acknowledging that the signage package will be reviewed as a separate submission, they recommended that the new building identification signs be designed to the same size and character as the historic building signs.
The Commission looks forward to the completion 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