History
The station was designed in 1936 for the Gulf Oil Corporation, and was the product of company architect P. L. R. Hogner. The building and its setting were part of an aesthetic directive on the part of the company, in which it was decided to create buildings that looked less like gas stations and more like banks and libraries; consequently, the designs incorporated details, materials, and massing which were more commonly associated with such buildings.
By the time the Embassy Gulf Service Station was constructed, Gulf Oil owned sixty other stations within the city of Washington, and the new structure was part of the company's corporate expansion in the city. The siting proved somewhat difficult, however; as the building was to be built adjacent to Rock Creek Park, its design had to meet the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts; it was also the subject of a review by the National Park Service and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In the end, the original design had to be modified somewhat to fit the regulations put forth by the various boards. The final design called for a small building of grey stone similar in color to the church located opposite the station; whether or not the two buildings harmonized by design is unknown.
As a symbol of Gulf Oil's commitment to designing aesthetically pleasing and interesting service stations, the Embassy Gulf Service Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 30, 1993. It is still used for its original purpose; as of 2007, the building serves as a repair shop and Sunoco station.
Read more about this topic: Embassy Gulf Service Station
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