Efforts to save an architectural gem in Reston appear to have fallen short. Photo by Ken Moore.
The fate of a modern architectural gem in Reston could be decided this week when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors considers an application to construct more than 40 homes on the site of the American Press Institute.
The building, which would have to be demolished to make way for the project, was designed by architect Marcel Breuer, called a "Master of Modernism," who also designed the Whitney Museum (now the Met Breuer-Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
“How did we get to a situation where because of a technicality an architecturally significant building by one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, the only building by him in Virginia, is not protected in any way?” said At-large Planning Commissioner James Hart.
The Planning Commission voted against the proposal, and the Board of Supervisors will conduct its own public hearing on Tuesday, July 26, after The Connection presstime.
Sekas Homes’ filed an application to construct 34 single family attached dwellings and one multifamily residential building with 10 units on the site of the 48,200-square-foot American Press Institute building.
The vacant building at 11690 Sunrise Valley Drive drew international attention in the days before a rezoning hearing at the Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 16, 2016.
Architects, historians, preservationists, journalists, community leaders and other news media executives who attended API seminars during its Reston years along with API staff members joined the movement to save the American Press Institute building.
“This has gotten the attention of people all over the globe,” said Carol Ann Riordan, formerly with the API executive staff. “We would be ecstatic if this world class building could find a second life. Wouldn’t it be marvelous if another organization would move into that grand building and the torch could be passed?”
The Planning Commission urges the Board of Supervisors staff to study the significance of Reston “architectural gem.”
“We’ve received a lot of information about this building, its importance, its significance, the people who came to meetings and participated in conferences at that building, and why it has a real special meaning,” said Dranesville Commissioner John Ulfelder.
On June 16, the Planning Commission deadlocked 5-5, meaning the application would go the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of denial since it did not receive a majority vote.
BUT LAST THURSDAY, July 21, Hunter Mill Planning Commissioner Frank de la Fe requested a second vote on a proposal to build residential homes on the site of the American Press Institute Building.
“Our tie votes on June 16 did not constitute any action by the Commission, just a failure to approve,” said de la Fe.
“On July 11, 2016, the owner executed new proffers – new proffered conditions, amending the ones dated May 23. Because the Commission still has an opportunity to take action on these applications, I plan to move on them again,” he said.
The Hunter Mill Commissioner’s request for a revote failed, and instead of going to the Board of Supervisors with a deadlocked 5-5 denial vote, the Planning Commission voted to deny recommendation of the application by a 4-7 vote.
Planning staff had recommended approval before the Commission voted to recommend denial on June 16.
Developer John Sekas told members of the Planning Commission they were about to cut off his neck.
“I stuck my neck way out on the limb on this application because the owner wanted to take the building down before we filed the application. And if this process goes any further, my neck is getting cut off,” said Sekas. A developer of thirty years in the County said he is at risk “because I did the right thing.”