Frank Lloyd Wright designed car dealership demolished (small DeLorean connection)

[louielouie2000]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/automobiles/wrights-new-york-showroom-now-just-a-memory.html?ref=automobiles&_r=0

I really hate this dealership showroom was demolished- it was a very iconic Mercedes-Benz dealership on Park Avenue in Manhattan, and a piece of architectural history. The showroom was also featured in a scene from the 1986 movie "The Money Pit." Now for the DeLorean connection- there is a famous (in the DeLorean community anyway) period photo of a red DeLorean on the showroom floor that was taken 20-25 years ago. There's a woman in a full length gown standing next to the car. I'm sure Chris Burns can dig it up, I can't seem to locate it at the moment. I'm a big proponent of preservation; be it of classic automobiles or architecture. I'm surprised this space lasted as long as it did, but it's still a shame it's gone.

[dvonk]

I'm a big proponent of preservation; be it of classic automobiles or architecture...

+1. i loathe seeing old buildings get destroyed. after being around for so long, they develop a character and history, and they are promptly replaced by vapid structures that are devoid of character or substance... or worse; parking lots. what a waste. :disapprove:

[Kenny_Z]

I was reading the article and thought "let me guess, investment group?" Sure enough. I'm not saying they are all like that but I have yet to meet an investment group that cared anything for history. The same thing happened to a beautiful local hotel back in 93. I was quite pleased when it cost the company nearly twice as much in estimates to tear it down. Turns out the old hotel was a hell of a lot stronger than they though.

[Mike F]

The same thing happened to a beautiful local hotel back in 93. I was quite pleased when it cost the company nearly twice as much in estimates to tear it down. Turns out the old hotel was a hell of a lot stronger than they though.

Would that be the San Carlos?

[Kenny_Z]

Yep. I loved that building. I never set foot in it but to a young kid that loved architecture it was beautiful.

[Mike F]

I loved that place too. I grew up in Pensacola and always hoped that someone would restore it. When they announced that it was being demolished it really bummed me out. It did put up a fight, though! I saved all of the News Journal articles about the building that they ran before and during the demolition. My dad and I went down to the site during the process, and the crew let me take some pieces of the building. I got a few bricks, and pieces of the green and white marble from the columns and floor in the lobby.

[Kenny_Z]

My parent's wouldn't go down there during the demolition. That's awesome that you have parts of the building. I don't think the Pensacola Museum or the TT Wentworth have that. I can't believe they put up that ugly federal building in its place.