Preservation Action Needed!
Designation Appeal of the Mid-Century Icon, 550 Washington Street
Greetings!

Designed by Master Architect William Lewis, Jr. for Deems Martin and Assoc., the sun-catching tracery of this tower is one of San Diego’s most significant Mid-Century icons and needs your support to maintain designation.
 
On Tuesday, June 29, the San Diego City Council will consider the appeal of the historical designation for this c. 1964 Modern masterpiece at 550 Washington Street. Since the appellant has not demonstrated factual errors in materials or information, violations of bylaws or hearing procedures, or new information, there are no grounds to grant this appeal.

Designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board in February, despite not having staff support, the HRB found this resource significant under Criterion A as a special element of San Diego’s architectural development. Specifically, the monumental tower, which is highly visible from miles away in four directions, represents an important chapter of our local architectural history as well as leadership and contribution to the Modern design movement that influenced national and international trends. The tower’s concrete exterior adorned with aluminum tracery, a signature detail of Deems Martin and Associates, is an important local and well-known example that expresses the values of San Diego’s influence on this movement and highly significant within the California design period and San Diego specifically.

One of the most important post-WWII commercial Modern style buildings in San Diego, this resource retains integrity (especially the iconic tower and its tracery), is rare in style, well known due to prominence and visibility, and is recognized as a masterful and sophisticated example by Master Architect William Lewis, Jr. Please contact the City Council and let them know you support the historical designation of 550 Washington Street today!
Action Requested
Support the historical designation of 550 Washington Street by either:

1) Speaking at the City Council meeting on Tuesday June 29, beginning at 11am. See Item 334 on the agenda HERE and Zoom link or phone (dial 1-669-254-5252). Suggested talking points are below; OR
 
2) Submit written comments by using the City Council webform HERE or email a comment letter directly to the City Clerk. Form webform comments, find Comment Type, click “City Council Comment” and add Agenda Item 334, then type into the comment box. Suggested talking points are below.
 Sample talking points for testimony or comment letter
  • This c. 1964 Modern style medical office building, designed by Master Architect William Lewis for Deems Martin and Associates, is an architecturally iconic San Diego resource, a sophisticated and well-designed example of the style.
  • Significant under Criterion A for architectural development, this Modern style commercial building is a crucially important local example that expresses the values of San Diego’s influence, leadership, and contribution to the Modern design movement.
  • Specifically, the monumental tower is an icon and is highly visible from miles away in four directions. Its concrete exterior adorned with aluminum sun-catching tracery is an important local and well-known example that expresses the values of San Diego’s influence on this movement. This tracery is also a signature detail of Deems Martin and Assoc., and highly significant within the California design period and San Diego specifically.
  • One of the most important post-WWII commercial Modern style buildings in San Diego, significant under Criterion A, this resource retains integrity by the iconic tower and its tracery, is rare in style, well known due to its prominence and visibility, and is recognized as a masterful and sophisticated example by Master Architect William Lewis, Jr.
  • This building is within the top ten most important post-WWII commercial modern buildings in San Diego, and represents a significant chapter of San Diego’s architectural history, and must maintain its historical designation.
Photo: 550 Washington Street, Julius Shulman Photography. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)
Through education, advocacy, and stewardship SOHO's mission is to preserve, promote,
and support preservation of the architectural, cultural, and historical links and landmarks
that contribute to the community identity, depth, and character of our region. 

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