Here’s a shot by Carl Mydans from 1935. We found it on the Library of Congress’ site, but we’re not sure where this is on Mass Ave. Any ideas? Go to lunch, show your friends, debate it and post your thoughts in the comments below. Are these homes still there?
It looks like a double digit number over the door on the first house, but hard to make out, unfortuntately.
Approx 20 Mass Ave. NW, looking towards Columbus Circle. The tall building’s the current Phoenix Park Hotel, Sunlife Bank building on the corner is the giveaway.
Today’s view: http://goo.gl/maps/afKMp
We think it’s the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue NW, right by Union Station. The structure at the end appears to be what is now the Suntrust Bank. Interesting note about the bank building, it was originally the Childs restaurant and was an earlier work of Williams van Allen, who went on to design the Chrysler Building in New York City.
The houses no longer exist, however, and were replaced by what is now an office of the Department of Homeland Security.
Right on, Ben! The small building with the arched front facade looked so familiar! Guess the Phoenix Park used to house a “…..Lantern Cafe” at one point.
Another photo on the Library of Congress website by Mydans shows more of the block: LC-USF33-T01-000147-M1. Childs Restaurant (now Suntrust Bank) at 2 Massachusetts Avenue is visible in the distance; so these houses are directly across from the still-standing Gales School–where 20 Massachusetts Ave NW is now. see your previous: https://ghostsofdc.org/2012/12/04/children-of-poverty-near-union-station/
it’s the unit block, south side of Mass Avenue between North Capitol & First Street. Phoenix park hotel in the background. The Dept of Homeland security is on that site now. No house.
Hurrah, good to see others recognize one of the very few works by van Alen! And in DC no less.
Good catch!
Did anyone notice the statue of a man on a horse at the end of the block? Well, it’s gone now anyway, makes me wonder which one it was.
I wrote the obit for Van Alen on FIND A GRAVE. Sadly, there is little info on his career’s structures as his wife burned all his papers after his death. He is, however, such a respected figure, a NYC Arch. Award was named (as ‘the greatest honor’) after him. I wish you’d pub. a pic of this SUNTRUST BANK bldg.