Historic Preservation Matters

Death of a Building, documented by Maurice Duke
The Murphy Hotel, 1911-2007

Obituary for a Great Virginia Lady

After long struggle against and neglect on the part of its owner-the Commonwealth of Virginia-the Murphy Hotel succumbed in 2007. Arguably the most historic state in the US, Virginia lacks a policy to protect landmarks owned by the state. It is a testament to the excellence of its design and construction that the former hotel withstood decades of deferred maintenance.

The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods lead the fight to save the Murphy, but preservationists could not prevail. Constructed in 1911 by noted architect and Jefferson scholar, John Kevan Peebles, the Murphy was stylistically linked to other buildings in Virginia’s Capitol Square. Peebles, who also designed the 1907 additions to Jefferson’s iconic "Temple on the Hill," designed an adjacent hotel.

The Murphy featured a remarkable cornice inspired by the Palazzo Farnese in Rome. It was the best intact example of an early skyscraper in the capital of the Old Dominion. The Old House Authority mourns the loss of this building and the absence of a public policy to protect such other landmarks. Photos here by Maurice Duke depict its incremental razing, necessitated by the exceptionally sound underlying structure, its proximity to nearby historic buildings and the state’s decision to try to salvage exterior decoration.

Aside from the loss of a meaningful connection with the past, the demolition of the Murphy Hotel represents environmental waste. Vast amounts of energy were spent on demolition and the disposal of materials. Yet more energy and funds (yet to be appropriated) will be spent on the construction of a new modern structure completely at odds with its historic surroundings. While the Commonwealth plans a green building more energy efficient than the Murphy Hotel on the site, recent research (cited by National Trust for Historic Preservation Director Richard Moe in December, 2007) indicates that even if 40% of the materials are recycled, it takes approximately 65 years for a green, energy-efficient new office building to recover the energy lost in demolishing an existing building.