Sefton's "Raze Permit List" @ DemolitionDC.org

Created and produced by Peter Sefton and Amy Sefton, the "Raze Permit List" is intended as an informational aid to the historic preservation community and others interested in tracking changes in the cityscape. It is a photo-catalog of Washington, DC buildings for which "raze permit applications" have been filed or for which the DC Historic Preservation Office has received a "raze letter" for sign off.

Although it contains a few earlier entries, this list essentially begins with the July 4, 2003 on-line DC Register. It primarily catalogs residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It does not include sheds, residential garages, or utility structures such as switching stations or park buildings.

The list is based primarily on records produced by various DC Government agencies, and may contain errors or omit information. They suggest verifying all information with the authoritative source. For more information visit www.DemolitionDC.org. Or email Peter Sefton and/or Amy Sefton at psefton@comcast.net.

Also, check out their Victorian Secrets of Washington, DC and Near Southeast: A Neighborhood Passes ... sites.

When clicked the above photo, taken by Elvert Barnes on Labor Day Sunday, 3 September 2006 which depicts the beginning stages of the demolition of the 1100 block of F Street, NW (north side) - will link to an ongoing photoset and historiographic project that will chronologize the redevelopment of the block in a similar way as does my 1101 New York Avenue project which began in the fall of 2004.

Hecht's (Window Displays) Historiographic Project

I have photographed the window displays at the Hecht's downtown WDC store since January 1993 when looking forward to Bill Clinton's Presidential Inauguration that I took to the streets for the purpose of documenting Inaugural themes. Which is not unlike my J20-05 Inaugural project.

As far as I am concerned streetscape images become historic from the moment that they are taken. Particularly, those of urban areas such as Washington DC where the streetscape changes constantly. So, when shooting the 1993 Presidential Inaugural images, and as is the case with most of my picture-taking, I was cognitive of the potential historic importance of the project.

There are many reasons why a particular image may be considered "historic". Taken over Labor Day Weekend on Sunday, 3 September 2006, the above image records an historic moment in time ... when Hecht's changed over into Macy's.

Though, at the time, I was not aware of the changeover, when a few minutes later, at the corner of 13th and F Street that a family of Mid-Eastern descent inquired if I knew the location of Macy's ... the significance of the red stars would soon come to light.

Pointing north on 13th Street, I responded "I don't think there is a Macy's in downtown DC. But, if you walk one block north you'll find Hechts. Which, I believe, has now closed for the day".

Thanking me, they'd head north. A few more seconds would pass before I'd remember that the red star was Macy's logo. By that time, the family was just a few feet from the corner of 13th and G Street where they, too, could see Macy's red stars displayed in the windows of Hechts.

Hecht's (Window Displays) Historiographic Project will feature historic images that I've taken, in years past and prior to September 2006, of the window displays of Hecht's Department stores. Most of which will have been taken of the Hechts, then, located in downtown DC on G between 12th and 13th Streets. Which is now Macy's at Metro Center.

I regard these 3 September 2006 Hecht's - Macy's images as historic because they capture the end of an era as well as a new beginning. As are my Storehouse series taken over Columbus Day Weekend of the Storehouse on 14th Street at Logan Circle during a Going Out of Business Sale.

Apartment Zero @ Penn Quarter

Each Labor Day weekend I will canvas the city photographing, capturing, documenting and recording store window displays. Which not only reflects the individual store's fall campaign but also sheds light on upcoming trends.

This past Labor Day weekend was no exception as I treked across M Street in Georgetown, along 14th Street through Logan Circle, on F and G Streets downtown and down 7th Street in the Penn Quarter area. Which is when and where I'd begin my Apartment Zero project.

Owned and operted by Douglas Burton and Christopher Ralston Apartment Zero is located at 406 7th Street, between F and E Streets in NW WDC. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, Apartment Zero's hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm Sundays, 12 to 5 pm.

Contact by phone at 202-628-4067. Fax at 202-628-4069. Email info@apartmentzero.com.

Chinatown's Friendship Archway designed by architect Alfred H. Liu

A traditional Chinese gate designed by local architect Alfred H. Liu, the Friendship Archway, was dedicated to Chinatown in Washington DC in 1986 . The colorful, $1 million work of public art includes 7 roofs up to 60 feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Erected to celebrate friendship with Washington's sister city of Beijing, it was hoped the arch would reinforce the neighborhood's Chinese character. According to the plaque next to the arch, it is the largest such archway in the world. Read more at Wikipedia.

Click photo to view Friendship Archway ongoing photo project.

American Society of Landscape Architects

I would began my ongoing now documentary project, focusing on Chinatown WDC on New Years Eve, 31 December 2004, when during the course of my 2004/05 Holiday Season street photography I'd observe a newly constructed Gallery Place at the corner of 7th and H Streets, in NW WDC. Since that time, I have returned on many occasions to capture the always changing architecture and street scape of the area.

In recent months, I have observed significant changes in the 600 block of Eye Street, NW. One such change is a cluster of new buildings on the south side of the 600 block of Eye Street. One of which houses the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association representing landscape architects. Beginning with 11 original members, ASLA has grown to more than 16,200 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, US territories, and 42 countries around the world. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.

The ASLA is located at 636 Eye Street in NW. Telephone 202-898-2444.

Another important observation that I've taken note of in the past year or so is that many of the newly constructed buildings and complexes in downtown WDC are embracing the green roof concept. Which, when reading the words etched unto ASLA's window I'd learn that landscape architects are designing and developmenting many green roof projects not only in WDC and across the nation but throughout the global community, as well.

Click the above photo to access my now ongoing ASLA documentary proejct.

Men At Work / 505 Ninth Street, NW

I began my documentation of the construction of 505 Ninth Street in September 2005. Since then I have learned that 505 Ninth Street is being developed as a joint venture by Boston Properties and KEG 1 Associates.

Designed by Hartman-Cox Architects this class A office building will feature superb views from its top floors, three levels of parking, two roof top decks, fitness center and concierge service. Construction commenced during the summer of 2005 with initial occupancy planned for the fall of 2007.

Included in my ongoing documentary project, Men At Work, this photo was taken on 12 December 2006.

Constitution Gardens, Washington DC

Bounded on the north by Constituion Avenue and on the south by Independence Avenue and situated just west of 17th Street, Constitution Gardens is a living legacy to the founding of the republic as well as an oasis in the midst of a city landscape. The 50 acres of the park were originally beneath the Potomac River! A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project at the turn of century created the land that became Potomac Park.