New Hyattsville Elementary Construction Uncovers Historic Facade

The demolition of most of the old Hyattsville Elementary building has uncovered a historic facade that will be preserved.

Part of a previous incarnation of the building, the imposing symmetrical brick entrance with the words “Hyattsville Elementary School” in a frieze was long covered by trees and easy to overlook.

This portion of the school is slated to be preserved and incorporated into the new design, according to a presentation by project manager MCN Build.

Like the new Hyattsville library, which saved the saucer, the new elementary is a great example of adaptive reuse, in which older buildings find new life. Other examples include the old movie theater that is now Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, the former Model T showroom that is now Vigilante Coffee, and the former auto showroom that is now the Lustine Center.

The result lets the Route 1 corridor keep its ties to the past while growing to meet the needs of the present.

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