National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

NPS Form 10-900* 0MB Approval No. 1024-0018
(MS)
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 8 Page 38
in local newspapers and national architectural journals. As previously
mentioned, Richard Longstreth, identified it as an early and very fine example
of this new type of convenience shopping center which was just being
established in the 1920's and 1930's. Enlightened developers were beginning
to recognize that the car was here to stay and that their designs, if they
were to be commercially successful, needed to provide for the convenience of
the shopper driving an automobile. The Cleveland Park "Park and Shop" was in
the first wave of these shopping centers to be built in the country and has
repeatedly been cited as the first one of its kind in Washington D.C. and a
successful prototype for a residential shopping area.
Heaton's design in a Colonial Revival style was commended by the
Architects' Advisory Council when they reviewed it. This committee was set up
in 1922 by the local chapter of the AIA to review various building projects
when they were presented to the District authorities requesting a building
permit and to make certain suggestions which would improve the quality of the
design. As Appleton P. Clark said in his essay about Washington architecture,
"The committee sometimes goes further (than suggestions) and commends designs
which appear specially worthy." *(Appleton P. Clark, Jr. "History of
Architecture in Washington," Washington Past and Present, edited by John
Clagett Proctor; New York, 1930; Volume II, p. 517) This means that
Heaton's design was placed in the second of five categories with the statement
that it "meets exceptionally well the standards which should be maintained for
private buildings in the national capital." (Building Permit #134350 dated
7/9/1930 in The National Archives in Washington D.C.)
The significance of this prototype shopping center needs to be expanded
upon. The Park and Shop exemplifies a significant aspect of the economic
heritage of the National Capital. It is a pioneering example of a planned
neighborhood retail center in Washington. It represents an early coordinated
group of shopping facilities, the presence of each unit reinforcing the
attraction of the others. It offered off-street parking to enhance"
convenience and market appeal. It reflects the most advanced approach to
small scale retail development in the District and in the U.S. at that time.
It was designed to address then current shifts in food product retailing:
from home delivery to self-service at stores containing a wide variety of
items. It was planned specifically to meet daily shopping needs of residents
of Cleveland Park and other neighborhoods along the Connecticut Avenue
corridor.
The Park and Shop exemplifies a significant aspect of the architectural
heritage of the National Capital. It is an exemplary design of the period in
its synthesis of expressive qualities manifesting its 1) commercial function,
2) new type of configuration and setting with off-street parking as a central
component, 3) compatible relationship with a residential district, and 4) its
character as a dignified component of the Connecticut Avenue corridor.
The Park and Shop embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an
architectural style significant to the appearance and development of the
National Capital. It is a noteworthy example of Colonial Revival design, as
it was developed during the 1920's and 1930's, adapted to a small-scale