The Kennedy-Warren
|
| The central tower of the Kennedy-Warren apartment building. Photo Copyright 2008 by Matt Crosby |
The Kennedy-Warren has been characterized as the finest Art Deco apartment building in Washington, DC. It was the first in the area to use aluminum extensively as trim on both the interior and exterior and the first in the nation to have a forced, natural-air cooling system. Occupying the corner of a park area on Connecticut Avenue adjacent to the National Zoological Park, the first section of the Kennedy-Warren was designed and completed (1930-31) by architect Joseph Younger. In 1935 a 200-unit addition, designed by Alexander H. Sonnemann, brought the total number of apartments up to 317. However, this still left the original design only two-thirds complete.
In 1987, Younger's original drawings were discovered, and in 1997 the owner decided to complete the building along the lines of those drawings. With slight adjustments to provide a number of balconies and more contemporary apartment layouts, the building has essentially been completed according to Younger’s design by the architectural firm of Hartman-Cox (2003-04). The lobby and other public areas were restored to their former "Aztec-Deco" splendor.
Preservation
The Kennedy-Warren was listed as a District of Columbia Historic Landmark in 1989 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
- Will B.F. Saul Gut the Historic Kennedy-Warren Apartments?
- Protest letter from Patrick Sheary, Curator of Furnishings at the DAR Museum
- Press Release, 10/24/2008: Demolition of Kennedy-Warren Interiors Has Started
Help Save the Kennedy-Warren Interior
Your tax deductible contribution will help the Art Deco Society of Washington fight to save the Kennedy-Warren interior.
Current Name and Location
The Kennedy-Warren
3133 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Development
Constructed, 1931: Joseph Younger, architect; Edgar S. Kennedy and Monroe Warren, Sr., developers.
East Addition, 1935: Alexander H. Sonnemann, architect. B. F. Saul Company, owner.
South Wing, 2004: Hartman-Cox, architect. B. F. Saul Company, owner.
More Information
Created Wednesday, October 08, 2008; Modified Tuesday, November 11, 2008.