The Architect’s Newspaper published “A Symbol of Optimism: Steven Holl writes letter advocating for the preservation and reuse of Dallas City Hall” on January 6, after Holl sent a letter to Mayor Eric Johnson and Dallas city officials. Excerpt below:
“Today, Dallas City Hall’s concrete surfaces bear the marks of deferred maintenance. A vote passed by the Dallas City Council in November permitted the exploration of alternatives to the City Hall building. Per the resolution, city officials have been asked to determine costs to occupy office space elsewhere, bring in outside consultants to review deferred maintenance cost estimates, and study how the site could be redeveloped to spur economic growth. Some preservationists and opponents view this uncertainty as a threat for the building. The debate continues in 2026.
An Open Letter to Mayor Johnson and the Citizens of Dallas,
The Dallas City Hall opened in 1978, during the same year that its architect I. M. Pei opened the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. These modern monumental public buildings mark an optimism of our culture in time by one of its leading architects. They should be preserved as examples of architecture culture for America’s future generations. Of course, a 50-year-old building (with neglected maintenance) needs upgrading, such as advanced geothermal cooling and heating systems. However, to tear down this landmark public architecture today would be a crime.”