New Orleans Nine Most Endangered Nomination

Anthony DelRosario Heritage Education Master in Preservation Studies Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

The Louisiana Landmarks Society New Orleans Most Endangered List NOMINATION FORM Name of property (if any): Plaza Tower (Crescent City Towers, Crescent City Residences) Address/location: 1001 Howard Avenue New Orleans, LA 70113-2002 Owner of property: Plainfield Asset Management LLC Owners address: 100 West Putnam Avenue Owners city/state/zip: Greenwich, CT 06830 Owners email: ir@pfam.com Type of ownership: ( ) public (x) private Nominator: Anthony DelRosario Nominators address:1174 Magazine Street City/state/zip: New Orleans, LA 70130 Nominators phone: (832) 452-8935 Email: adelrosa@tulane.edu anthonyturducken@gmail.com Current designation status of property: ( ) National Register of Historic Places ( ) National Register/local designation in process ( ) Local designation ( ) Other designations (please list) Owners phone: 203-302-1700

Please answer all of the questions listed below as completely as possible. Mark all materials clearly with the names of the nomination and owner. Nominations and materials will not be returned unless requested. 1. What is the propertys current condition? From an article from the Times-Picayune from January 28, 2009: The Connecticut investment firm that owns the troubled Plaza Tower said Wednesday that it had begun a massive environmental cleanup that would strip asbestos and mold out the building and help remedy the general abuses of time and old age. Plainfield Asset Management acquired the building through foreclosure in 2007, and partner Tom Walper said the company plans to demolish the interior to prepare it for a more substantial renovation. 2. What is the approximate age of the property? ~41 years. Construction began in 1964, stopped in October 1966, and resumed & completed in 1969.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Designed by Leonard R Spangenberg, Jr. & Associates possibly by Gordon I. Kuhne 3. Why is this property significant? Plaza Tower was the first skyscraper built in New Orleans. The building was the tallest in the city and in the state until One Shell Square was built in 1972. Currently, Plaza Tower is the third tallest building in the city and in the state. The current faade is white marble and bronze tinted glass is distinctive in that it is not the usual clear glass and steel. . The latticed steel framing system was developed by Bill Mouton, structural engineer. This system is similar to system employed in Eiffel tower. From Leonard Spangenberg obituary September 14, 2007 Times-Picayune: A graduate of Tulane University of Architecture (1952), Mr. Spangenberg apprenticed directly with Frank Lloyd Wright and was a member of the Taliesen Fellowship. Under his own company, Leonard R. Spangenberg Jr. & Associates, he designed and built many large commercial and residential projects in New Orleans and other areas of the United States, Mexico and the Middle East. 4. What is the threat to the property? Previous plans from the Giannasca Development Group from 2006 show a proposed faade that would cover the original building shell. The current owners were contacted to gain access to information regarding the current project but did not provide an account to do so. The current faade is white marble and bronze tinted glass. 5. How can the threat be eliminated? Do not alter the facade. The Plaza Tower has become a visual landmark in New Orleans. The Plaza Towers height and separation from Poydras Street helps to make the building really stands out. 6. Is there any opposition to the preservation of this property?

7. How would listing this property as one of New Orleans Most Endangered historic places help? The Louisiana Landmarks Society recognition of the Plaza Tower as a Most Endangered property could help facilitate a dialogue between the developer and docomomo_nola. 8. Other than listing this property as endangered, what can Louisiana Landmarks Society do to alleviate the threat?

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

9. Provide any additional comments/recommendations.

10. List other local persons, organizations, or groups who would also support the nomination. docomomo_nola 11. Please provide names, titles and telephone numbers of all appropriate contacts. Francine Stock, president docomomo_nola Francine.TSA@gmail.com 12. Supporting materials enclosed or attached (x) photographs (required) ( ) slides (x) articles ( ) printed materials

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 7.

Figure 8.
Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 9.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 10.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

10

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 11.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

11

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 1: 1971 to 1982 comparison images taken from the observation deck of the International Trade Mart (ITM) by Sam Clark aka TexasStar. <http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7170> <http://urbandallas.us/no_vintage/itm_04.html> Figure 2: 1971 to 1982 comparison images taken from the observation deck of the International Trade Mart (ITM) by Sam Clark aka TexasStar. <http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7170> <http://urbandallas.us/no_vintage/itm_04.html> Figure 3: The 531 ft tall Plaza Tower was still by far the tallest building in New Orleans from 1970 by Sam Clark aka TexasStar. <http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7170> Figures 4 & 5: I love seeing pics of it I haven't seen before! My dad, Gordon I. Kuhne, designed it, while working for Leonard Spangenberg. I have an early sketch of his original conception of it, a simple tower without the parking garage addition he was forced to include (which my parents derogatorily called the "watermelon slice") and photos of my dad with a Plaza Tower model. He's on the far left and far right. from Gordon Kuhnes daughter, Randi Kuhns <http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7170>

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

12

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Figure 6: View of a rendering of the Plaza Tower Complex by Leonard R. Spangenberg & Associates, Architects. Photographic reproduction commissioned by C. J. Tessier Realtors. Charles L. Franck / Franck-Bertacci Photographers Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection. <http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/u?/CLF,5171> Figure 7: Briefly, the New Orleans skyline was tallest in the Southeast. (1970 graphic from the Times-Picayune) <http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7170> Figure 8: Composite photograph of the Plaza Tower Building on Howard Avenue, commissioned by J. Brian Corporation. This photograph was taken from Loyola Avenue. Charles L. Franck / Franck-Bertacci Photographers Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection. <http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/u?/CLF,5172> Figure 9 & 10: Giannasca Development Group - Crescent City Residences Giannasca Development Group from 2006 <http://www.giannascadevelopment.com/> Figure 11: In 1968, the Gravier Latter and Blum Office distributed an advertising brochure for potential Plaza Tower tenants:

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

13

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

"This imposing structure that soars 45 floors above downtown New Orleans is The Plaza Tower, Office/Residence building scheduled for completion in early 1969. Located minutes from Canal Street and the financial center, The Plaza Tower avoids the congestion and traffic of the inner city core. It is easily reached from all sections of New Orleans. . . situated at the very hub of the new expressway and Interstate systems." Image: The Plaza Tower: Standing Tallest over the New Orleans Skyline. New Orleans: Latter and Blum, c. 1968. Biographical Files (Leonard Spangenberg), The Southeastern Architectural Archive, Special Collections Division, Tulane University Libraries. <http://docomomo-nola.blogspot.com/2010/03/plaza-tower-1968.html>

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

14

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Articles
"Letters to the Editor." New York Times (1923-Current file): 242. Aug 07 1966. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Web.

"Piles 168 Feet Deep to Support ' Tallest Building-in Louisiana." New York Times (1923Current file): 1. Sep 20 1964. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Web.

"Truss Cuts Cost of Steel Frame." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. Jan 10 1965. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Web.

"Skyscraper Rises in New Orleans." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. Aug 22 1965. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Web.

"A New Face for 'Old' New Orleans." New York Times (1923-Current file): 382. Feb 18 1968. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Web.

"Tower owner announces plan to revitalize building - Mold, asbestos will be removed before developing." The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) 20 Dec. 2007, MONEY: 01. NewsBank. Web.

"Plaza Tower interior will be demolished - Residential uses will be considered." The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) 29 Jan. 2009, MONEY: 08. NewsBank. Web.

"Funeral Notice - SPANGENBERG." The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) 14 Sep. 2007, METRO: 05. NewsBank. Web.

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

15

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

16

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

17

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

18

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

19

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

20

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

21

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

22

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

23

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture

24

PRST 6540 Heritage Education do.co.mo.no.la

Anthony DelRosario Master in Preservation Studies - Tulane School of Architecture