NRHP Reference # 74002164 Added to NRHP 8 May 1974 | Area 800 m² Architect Adolf Cluss | |
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Location 909 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. Architectural style French Renaissance Revival Similar National Union Building, Folger Shakespeare Library, Arena Stage, Ford House Office Bui, Takoma station | ||
Julius Lansburgh Furniture Co., Inc., also known as the Old Masonic Temple, is an historic building at 901 F Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Penn Quarter neighborhood.
History
The French Renaissance Revival building was designed by Adolf Cluss, and Joseph Wildrich von Kammerhueber in 1867. Construction began in June 1867; the cornerstone was laid in May 1868, by President Andrew Johnson; it was dedicated on March 20, 1870. The building cost $100,000, but a mansard roof fifth floor, was not completed because of lack of funds. There is a full basement. First-floor stores were leased, and a grand ballroom on the second-floor was rented out.
Julius Lansburgh purchased the Old Masonic Temple in 1921. The building was painted white in 1922, and operated as a furniture store. After Lansburgh's closed in 1970, it was listed as an historic building in 1974. In December 1979, the District of Columbia refused to issue a demolition permit in accordance with its historic preservation law. The building was renovated in 2000, at a cost of $33 million. It serves as the headquarters of the Gallup Organization.