Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-24
Wright Designs
Crystal City for
Temple Heights
Famed Architect
Completing Plans for
living-Shopping Area
picture on Page A-4.)

Plans and specifications for turn
ing the historic 10-acre tract at
Connecticut and Florida avenues
NV. known as Temple Heights, into
a mammoth apartment hotel and
shopping center structure of the
most modern type will be complete
and ready to begin construction in
about three months.
This was disclosed today by Frank
Lloyd Wright world famous archi-
tect and designer of the develop
ment, at a press conference in the
Offices of Roy s Thurman. head of
the syndicate which is financing the
development.
In an outline of preliminary plans,
It was explained that the new
structure-to be known as Crystal
City'-will include an extensive
hotel and apartment structure of
some $500 rooms: stores on sue
cessive levels to form a complete
shopping center; modern theater
with a capacity of more than 1000,
and parking facilities for as many
as 1900 cars.
S15,000,000 Project.
Novel tunnel connections with
the streets will facilitate the move
ment of cars within Crystal City
and, according to Mr.. Wright, line
of cars eight miles long can be
stored within 20 minutes.
The new structure, Mr. Wright
said, would use to full advantage
the natural slopes and woodland on
the property. The area has been
owned by the Grand Lodge of Ma
sons since 1922 and was intended
for a national Masonic memorial
which did not materialize. Mr..
Thurman said that while title had
not yet been passed. all arrange
ments were completed. 1t is esti-
mated that the entire project. which!
will only consume about third of
the 10-acre tract. will cost between
100000 and $15,OOOO00.
Mr.. Thurman declined to reveal
the membership of the syndicate
which he said had "a passion for
anonymity" He said. however, that
it consisted of some II groups, most
Of them from out of town.
Versailles Won't Look Like Much.
Mr.. Wright. designer of the famous
Imperial Hotel in Toxic, but as yet
unrepresented in the Capital, said
the new structure will be carried on
81 vertical concrete shafts of varying
heights, the tallest rising about 1875
feet. Mr.. Thurman said the syndi-
cate would have to 90 before the
Board of Zoning Adjustments to
obtain permission for structure of
this height. Construction will be of
pure white marble, bronze and glass,
with glass the leading material.
From these basic shafts will be
suspended the screens of steel and
glass forming the rooms. Under the
nature of the construction nearly
every room will have a balcony, a
natural fireplace and two sides OF
glass.
Versailles won't look like much
compared to this when it is finished"
commented the white-haired archi-
tect.
Built Like a Tree.
Mr.. Wright compared the suspen-
sion of the floors from the central
shafts with branches on a tree.
Mr.. Thurman smilingly declared
that if the new structure was not
bombproof, at least it would be
completely fireproof, earthquake
And vermin proof" interjected
Mr.. Wright.
The structure will feature beauti-
full gardens. terraces, fountains and
roof gardens.
Mr.. Thurman assured that
Treaty Oak"-a historical land
mark on the old estate with which
an Indian legend is associated
would be preserved.
Mr. Wright said the design was
known as "usonian,' term coined
by the famous author. Samuel But
Ter, in referring to things American.
He said it is the basic foundation of
modern architecture.