National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

NFS Form 10-9004 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(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 ^o
was the first of several neighborhood shopping centers developed by the firm
in the metropolitan area and has often been cited in newspaper articles
between 1932 and 1981 as one of the firm's most innovative contributions to
the District. Shannon and Luchs were the leaders in this regard prior to
World War II. This firm has also been noted for constructing the Capital
Garage, Washington's first medical building, and a number of subdivisions
containing moderately priced houses.
The Park and Shop contains significant information about historic
settlement patterns. It is an important example of a planned neighborhood
shopping center, reflecting widespread effort in the U.S. to reform the nature
of commercial development along major urban arteries. It achieved national
recognition through architectural journals as an exemplary demonstration of
planned commercial development; it was probably influential elsewhere in this
regard. It reflects the nationwide movement during the 1920 ! s and 1930's to
plan complete residential neighborhoods; this same concern was also reflected
in other Shannon and Luchs projects designed by Heaton. It was designed as
a contributor to the dignified orderly development of the Connecticut Avenue
corridor (from Rock Creek Park to Chevy Chase) by the Newlands syndicate and
other interests with the aim of offering a model for suburban development. It
is an integral component of the Cleveland Park commercial node, the finest
example in the District of a contained, linear retail center from the 1920's
and 1930's.
3407 Connecticut Avenue which was built to be a showroom for Thomas E.
Clark, plumbers, was the only other commercial building in Cleveland Park
which received a commended rating from the Architects' Advisory Council. It
was designed by architects Frank Upman and Percy Adams in 1930. It is a
significant example of Washington Commercial Art Deco which retains its
original 1930 appearance with a large show window and has the distinction of
being a rare remaining example of a commercial building whose facing is Aquia
Creek sandstone.
Individually there are some other significant shop structures, but it is
the integrity of the entire complex which is important for the Cleveland Park
Historic District. The scale, the materials and decorative details, the
rhythm created by tall and short, projecting and receding, and the general
overall appearance and feel of the streetscape combine to make this a very
human and appealing place in which to do one's shopping. It is conducive to
the community spirit which is so much a part of Cleveland Park and it is
compatible with the residential architecture. It is representative of the
scale of commercial development in the streetcar suburbs just after the turn
of the century. The fact that this scale and character has been maintained
thus far is significant in itself.
The Uptown Theater "is a key example of Art Deco architecture in
Washington" according to Richard Striner, President of the Art Deco Society of
Washington. "In my opinion, of all the Art Deco movie palaces surviving in
Washington, it is, without question, in the best original condition."
"(Telephone Interview, July 9, 1985). It is, in fact, the centerpiece of a
"little Art Deco district."