On May 11, 2021, an application was filed by 3425 Collins Avenue, LLC (“The Developer”) requesting modifications to a previously issued Certificate of Appropriateness for the partial demolition renovation and restoration of the existing 16-story hotel building, including the total demolition of the 1955 south addition, and the construction of a new 16-story detached ground level addition. Specifically, the Developer requested approval of a redesigned new detached ground level tower addition and modifications to the site plan. Approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness required several conditions, including the following related to Jack Stewart’s Apollo mural (Attachment 1):

HPB20-0441 (Page 2 of 11)

C. The project would remain consistent with the criteria and requirements of section 118-564 and 133-50(a) if the following conditions are met:

b. The Developer has proffered to donate the Jack Stewart “Apollo” mural to the City covering all the cost for its relocation and restoration. Prior to the issuance of a building permit for the new residential tower, the Developer shall return to the Board to present the final plan for the restoration of the mural including the specific location where it will be installed. 

A mosaic tile mural entitled Apollo was introduced on the site (3425 Collins Avenue) in 1955 concurrently with the construction of the previously existing Melvin Grossman designed south addition. The mural, created by artist Jack Stewart, was primarily located along the west elevation with a portion extending along south elevation, wrapping the corner. In 2014, the Historic Preservation Board reviewed and approved the demolition of the south addition inclusive of the artistic mural. The mural was subsequently removed and relocated to a storage facility and the 1955 addition was demolished. The Developer has submitted a letter dated October 13, 2020 proffering to donate the mural to the City including covering all the cost for its relocation and restoration (Attachment 2).

In July 2021, the Developer engaged the services of RLA Conservation to assess the current condition of Apollo (Attachment 3). RLA Conservation’s conservators Rosa Lowinger and Caroline Dickensheets performed an assessment of the mosaic on July 22, 2021. A second assessment, conducted by Dickensheets in conjunction with engineer Douglas Wood and Gal Bensaadon of Red Door Construction was carried out on August 6, 2021.

At the time of the onsite inspections, the mosaic was found to be in very poor condition at the storage site. The pieces are fracturing, tesserae have been lost, aluminum elements have been bent and exhibit corrosion, and there is general dirt, grime, and bio-growth on elements. That said, the mosaic remains a viable artwork that is fully conservable. Time, however, is of the essence. The elements need to be rescued, cleaned and prepared for conservation sooner rather than later or risk additional losses that will result in increased treatment costs and possible irreparable damage. In response, the Developer has continued work with RLA Conservation and has entered Phase II of restoration efforts (Attachment 4).

The City has considered a number of options in terms of locating the Apollo mural on a City property. Several options were explored, including the façade of the Scott Rakow Youth Center. However, given the size (approximately 92’ in length by 17’ in height) of the mural, placement on an existing facility has been challenging. The Scott Rakow Youth Center façade, which was proposed as a potential location at the February 9, 2021 Historic Preservation Board Meeting, is not large enough to accommodate the mural. Administration recommends the best option would be for the Developer to install the mural as an integrated architectural feature at the new Fire Station No. 1. Attached to this report is a preliminary image of how this could potentially be accomplished (Attachment 5).

In order to proceed with the restoration and site preparation, the City and the Developer must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, which requires the Developer, at its sole cost, to undertake all aspects of restoring the mural, including, but not limited to, transportation, conservation services, storage, design and engineering fees, and installation of the mural.