Community Corner

Photo Gallery: Ivory Bean Building Demolished

The historic Washington Street building came down on Friday, several months after city officials cordoned off the area due to falling bricks.

The upper floors of the Ivory Bean building were demolished on Friday, leaving a large hole in the row of buildings near the corner of Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

The demolition, undertaken by the Church of Scientology, was announced earlier this month with the city's approval. The area underneath the building had been when a neighbor reported bricks falling from its aging facade.

Along with the Alexandra Hotel, located next door at the corner of Mass Ave., the Ivory Bean footprint will be incorporated into the Church’s new headquarters, plans for which have been in the works since the Church purchased the buildings in 2008.

Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The Alexandra has been a city eyesore for too long,” spokesman Kevin Hall said at the time. “Our restoration of this historic landmark will bring more beauty back to the gateway of the South End.”

The Franklin Crane Company and Smith and Wessell are performing the demolition, which was scheduled to take several weeks. According to the Church, a portion of the bricks removed from the Ivory Bean will be preserved and incorporated into the new headquarters.

Find out what's happening in South Endwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from South End