In early 2011 a group of architects and citizens came together to try and preserve the old US Consulate building on Abdullah Haroon Road. The Consulate which was designed in the early 50's by the great Modernist architect Richard Neutra had just been decommissioned by the US State Department. The group petitioned the State Department to consider gifting the property to the citizens of Karachi so t
hat the building could be converted into a cultural centre. Referring to its rules, the State Department declined, with the suggestion that the group raise funds to purchase the building on the open market. Since it was not possible to raise that kind of money and because the primary goal of the group was to protect the building from demolition it was decided instead to apply for Heritage listing for the building. The Institute of Architects Pakistan, IAP, filed an application for Heritage listing and with the help and support of the members of the Heritage Committee, the building was awarded a Heritage status at the end of 2012. Meanwhile the group also identified and introduced to the US State Department, two potential buyers who were willing to purchase the property with the intention of setting up a cultural institution on its premises, as had been originally proposed by the group. Unfortunately, when the sale finally went through in the summer of 2013, the highest bid was from a buyer looking to develop the property as a commercially viable project. The US State Department, acting in the best interest of the people of the United States was obliged to accept the highest bid. This is where we stand today after over 3 years of concerted effort to protect and re-purpose the old US Consulate Building. The building has been sold to a buyer who, it would seem, has no respect or regard for the Heritage status of the building because no one would commit a substantial sum of money to purchase the property unless they were sure of their ability to get the Consulate removed from the Heritage List. As of early in 2014, the sale bid offered had been accepted by the State Department and approval of the sale was being sought from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. A small group of us have worked tirelessly for over 3 years to get the Consulate on the Heritage List and that status remains potentially at risk. It is time for the citizens of Karachi who care about the beauty and character of the city we live in and recognize the value of our heritage and history to stand up and raise their voice against the rampant destruction of our urban fabric in the name of so-called development. We need to remain vigilant so that when the sale is approved, the buyer is not tempted to de-list and demolish the Neutra Consulate. We need to continue to publicize this issue and make it clear that we will not allow this iconic work of architecture to be de-listed. While this is a specific instance of a unique and exceptional work of architecture, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Countless buildings in Karachi - whether Heritage listed or not - are under constant threat of demolition. Lets draw the line here and take a stand against this destruction. Please support this page and help preserve Richard Neutra's US Consulate Building. Let your voice be heard. Please share this page as widely as you can.
