Eleven US architecture preservation battles from Dulles Airport to Kanye West's Malibu house
A summary outlines eleven controversial battles over architectural preservation in the United States, ignited by proposals to construct on Eero Saarinen's Dulles International Airport terminal. Notable cases involve Tadao Ando's Malibu beach house, Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower, and Donald Trump's renovation efforts in Washington, DC. In October 2025, the White House East Wing was demolished to create a ballroom, encountering legal opposition. Despite public outcry, the Vaillancourt Fountain in San Francisco was taken down. The future of Dallas City Hall remains in limbo, while Snøhetta's renovation of Philip Johnson's 550 Madison was curtailed. Since 1992, Miami Marine Stadium has stood empty. A furniture sales dispute regarding the Price Tower was resolved in March 2026, and the Kennedy Center faces lawsuits following changes in Trump's administration.
Key facts
- The roundup was prompted by plans to build on top of Eero Saarinen's terminal at Dulles International Airport.
- The White House East Wing was demolished in October 2025 for a ballroom promoted by Donald Trump.
- The Vaillancourt Fountain in San Francisco was dismantled after being ruled a hazard, and briefly caught fire.
- Dallas City Hall, designed by IM Pei, may be vacated due to age and maintenance costs.
- Snøhetta's renovation of 550 Madison in New York was modified after landmark status was granted.
- Miami Marine Stadium has been vacant since 1992 and is one of the most under-threat buildings in America.
- Michael Graves' Portland Municipal Services Building was saved from demolition and reopened in 2020.
- The Price Tower legal battle over furniture sales was settled in March 2026 with a new owner planning a hotel.
- The Kennedy Center is under lawsuit by the AIA after Trump's proposed overhaul.
- Victor Lundy's house in Houston was saved by preservation groups and purchased by Dan and Carol Price.
- The Elgin Mental Health Center Medical and Surgical Building in Illinois faces potential demolition.
Entities
Artists
- Eero Saarinen
- Tadao Ando
- Kanye West
- Bianca Censori
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- IM Pei
- Philip Johnson
- John Burgee
- Hilario Candela
- Michael Graves
- Edward Durell Stone
- Victor Lundy
- Bertrand Goldberg
- Geoffrey Goldberg
- Dan Price
- Carol Price
Institutions
- Dulles International Airport
- The White House
- San Francisco Arts Commission
- Dallas City Hall
- Snøhetta
- Docomomo
- Miami Herald
- Portland city council
- The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy
- John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- AIA
- Texas Historical Foundation
- Houston Mod
- Docomomo US
- Preservation Houston
- Architectural Digest
- Dezeen
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation
- Michael Graves Studio
Locations
- Dulles International Airport
- Washington DC
- United States
- San Francisco
- California
- Dallas
- Texas
- New York
- Miami
- Florida
- Portland
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Houston
- Chicago
- Illinois
- Malibu
Sources
- Dezeen —