Commissioned in the mid-1950s by luxury auto importer Max Hoffman to market Jaguars, the 3,600-sf Hoffman Auto Showroom at 430 Park Avenue by Frank Lloyd Wright has been razed.
Opened in 1955, the showroom features Wright's signature organic style, with a spiraling ramp that circled a car display turntable. It served as the home for a Mercedes dealership from 1957 to 2012. Months after Mercedes vacated the space, the new owner of the building, Midwood Investment & Management and Oestreicher Properties, was granted a permit to demolish the space.
While the showroom had been altered over the years, including the installation of mirrors as part of a 1982 renovation, it remained quintessentially Frank Lloyd Wright, writes Hyperallergic's Allison Meier. In a post yesterday, Meier detailed the surprising demolition of the showroom.
Read Hyperallergic's report on the demolition of Frank Lloyd Wright showroom.
Related Stories
| Jan 12, 2012
Building independence: New take on female power
Memoir explores historic engineering project, women's empowerment era.
| Jan 12, 2012
3M takes part in Better Buildings Challenge
As a partner in the challenge, 3M has committed to reduce energy use by 25% in 78 of its plants, encompassing nearly 38 million-sf of building space.
| Jan 11, 2012
DOE announces guide for 50% more energy efficient retail buildings
The 50% AEDG series provides a practical approach for designers and builders of retail stores, and other major commercial building types, to achieve 50% energy savings compared to the building energy code used in many parts of the nation.
| Jan 11, 2012
Mortenson starts construction of Rim Rock Wind Project
Renewable energy contractor to build 189-megawatt wind project in Sunburst, Mont.
| Jan 9, 2012
FGM Architects acquires SRBL Architects
The firm reviewed gaps in each of the markets and identified a need in the municipal market for stronger police facility design expertise as well as additional project management and design expertise for this market.
| Jan 9, 2012
Shawmut appoints Les Hiscoe COO and EVP
In his new role, Hiscoe will focus on developing the Company’s field services divisions; national business in retail, hospitality, gaming, and sports venues; Tri-State business in academic and healthcare; sales and marketing; and human resources
| Jan 9, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti acquires green consulting firm Fore Solutions
International engineering firm launches new building sustainability practice.
| Jan 9, 2012
METALCON International 2012 announced
METALCON 2012 is scheduled for Oct. 9-11 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Hall A, Rosemont, Ill.
| Jan 9, 2012
Lutron appoints Pessina president
In his 35-year career with Lutron, Pessina has acquired broad experience in the engineering, quality assurance and manufacturing areas.
| Jan 9, 2012
A new journey for KSS Architects co-founder
Kehrt's legacy of projects include Rutgers University's Biomedical Engineering Building, the renovation and expansion of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the recent new campus center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Princeton Township's Municipal Complex.