National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 7024-OOT8
(M6)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
CLEVELAND PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
WASHINGTON D.C.
Section number ? Page n
plans (single and double cross plans + ++) derived from the Alden Park in
Philadelphia designed in 1920 by Edwin Rorke and the siting of the buildings
so that most of the 200 apartments have three sides exposed to the light and
air. The Tilden Gardens complex consists of six 5-story brick and concrete
buildings spaciously arranged on the steeply sloping five-acre site so that
each unit has a maximum of privacy and seclusion, as well as pastoral views of
the gardens from their many windows.
The Warren brothers purchased the Tilden Gardens 1 site from the Chevy
Chase Land Company and then they cut through Tilden and Sedgwick Streets to
form a triangular island of five acres on which the new apartments were to be
located. The interruption in the regular Washington grid street pattern
created by these curvilinear streets complements the romantic, picturesque
design of the landscaping and the irregular medieval-style buildings. The
site itself is surrounded by park land with the Melvin Hazen Park to the south
and west and the undeveloped grounds of the U.S. Bureau of Standards, today
occupied by the Intelsat building, to the north.
The architects, Parks and Baxter and Harry L. Edwards, received a
commended rating from the Architect's Advisory Council for the design they
submitted in 1930 to receive a building permit for the 3900 Connecticut Avenue
section of the complex which was designed in three separate but integrated
parts.
The Warrens were known for high quality construction reflected here in
the use of rough textured "tapestry" bricks and Indiana limestone trim.
Flemish gables, brick corbels, and half-timber with stucco decoration were
added to give the Tudor flavor which was very popular in domestic architecture
at this time. The irregular silhouette provided by gables, peaked dormers,
and chimneys adds to the medieval effect although the buildings are basically
symmetrical.
The most spectacular feature is the extensive landscaping provided by
landscape architect Henry Bauer. Three of the five acres of the site are
covered with pathways, fountains, pools, pergolas and terraces as well as
extensive plantings made all the more dramatic because of the hilly site. The
plantings literally cascade down the paths like a waterfall. And all of this
is placed beneath the umbrella of very large old trees which were left
untouched during the building process. They supply desirable shade and
coolness during the summer months as well as increasing the amount of privacy
for the residents. As James Goode has said "After fifty-five years of growth
and proper care, its grounds have become the most spectacular of any apartment
house in the city." "(Goode, op,cit.)
The Broadmoor is another example of the fashionable suburban style
apartment house. The building occupies 15% of the 5 acre site. It is the
tallest of the apartment buildings in Cleveland Park with its 8 stories, but
it is set back from the avenue with a spacious front lawn and curving driveway
which give it a grace and charm that sets it off attractively.
The architect, Joseph Abel, who was in the early stages of his career,
selected an eclectic mixture of historicizing ornamentation, characterized by
projecting irregular-shaped tapestry brick towers with carved limestone panels