Chicago’s Prentice Hospital, considered a treasure of modernist architecture, is in the process of being torn down. Michael R. Allen, director of the Preservation Research Office, wrote yesterday that the demolition is more than simply a loss for preservationists, but also a moment that could remind the public about the importance of protecting landmarks. Just as the loss of the original Penn Station alerted ordinary Americans to the burgeoning preservation movement 50 years ago, Allen argues, Prentice could become Modernism’s rallying cry.
Across the country, many modernist achievements have been demolished or remain at-risk. Andrew Romano wrote in an August Newsweek feature about the demise of many Los Angeles modernist homes, built by exponents of the style, that have since fallen out of fashion in favor of more lavish dwellings. The work of famed architect Paul Rudolph seems to have come under a particular siege. In 2008, after seven of Rudolph’s buildings had been torn down in five years, Paul Rudolph Foundation president Ernst Wagner stepped down.
“I felt like Don Quixote,” Wagner told New York magazine. “But what the hell can you do? You need someone like Jackie O. to raise a huge hurrah.”
As Allen noted in his essay, modern architecture is still relatively young. Penn Station’s Beaux-Arts style had more time to be admired and cemented into the nostalgia of later generations. Perhaps that makes the cause of preserving modernist gems more dire — for younger Americans to gain an appreciation for the work, the buildings would need to still be around.
In the slideshow below, take a look at 10 modernist gems that are endangered or have been recently bulldozed.
Gallery: 10 Modernist Gems, Razed or At-Risk
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Prentice Hospital. Michael Allen writes that its demolition could become modern architecture’s “Penn Station moment.” Credit: Vivek Jena on Flickr
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The Ruth Carter Stevenson house was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. It was built in Forth Worth in 1956, and razed this past June. Credit: W. Mark Gunderson via Mid2Mod
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Gettysburg commissioned noted architect Richard Neutra to build this center, to display a cyclorama painting of the iconic battle. The building was dedicated in 1962, showing signs of asbestos and disrepair by the ’90s. The National Park Service demolished the building this March. Credit: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey
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Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood was a segregated school for black students, built in 1956 Charles Colbert’s design for the building drew international acclaim. The school was demolished in 2011. Credit: The World Monument Fund
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Inside James Fitzgibbon’s Paschal house in Raleigh, considered a jewel of modernist homes. The house was demolished in March. Myrick Howard, president of Preservation North Carolina, called its demolition “an act of vandalism,” according the Raleigh News & Observer. Credit: Sellmodern.com
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The Orange County Government Center in Goshen, N.Y. was designed by Paul Rudolph in 1963. “Despite a 15-6 Legislature vote in February that ruled in favor of preserving Paul Rudolph’s brutalist landmark in Goshen,” Karissa Rosenfield of ArchDaily wrote this past June, “reports indicate that demolition is still being considered as an option.” Credit: Joseph A on Flickr
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The Worldport Terminal at JFK Airport was famous for being Pan-Am’s flying saucer and for being the spot where the Beatles waved goodbye to their adoring fans at the end of their first visit stateside. Last week, Untapped Cities published a photograph of the terminal’s wreckage. Credit: Glenn Beltz on Flickr
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The Lewis and Clark Library in St. Louis, known for its gorgeous stained glass windows, faces the threat of demolition, according to Documomo. Credit: Built St. Louis
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Cuneo Hospital in Chicago opened in 1957. It’s also currently set to be demolished. Credit: Devin Hunter on Flickr
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Gunner’s Mate School was located at the Great Lakes Naval Base and referred to as Building 521. It was designed by Bruce Graham, the architect who also worked on Sears Tower. The Navy demolished the building in 2009. Credit: Naval History and Heritage Command
Cassie Owens is a regular contributor to Next City. Her writing has also appeared at CNN.com, Philadelphia City Paper and other publications.
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