DALLAS CITY HALL NAMED TO WORLD MONUMENTS FUND’S IRREPLACEABLE AMERICA LIST, SPOTLIGHTING 10 U.S. HERITAGE SITES AT MILESTONE MOMENT

Dallas City Hall recognized among 10 heritage places that have shaped the nation’s unique history on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

DALLAS – June 30, 2026: Save Dallas City Hall Coalition, the North Texas Chapter of Docomomo US, and Preservation Dallas are proud to announce that Dallas City Hall has been named to Irreplaceable America, a new list from World Monuments Fund (WMF) recognizing 10 historic places across the United States whose preservation is essential to the richness and complexity of American history as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. From landmarks of public health and colonial architecture to sites central to Black history, Indigenous heritage, and artistic experimentation, the initiative spotlights places facing urgent preservation needs.

Designed by I.M. Pei, Dallas City Hall is one of the most significant works of civic architecture and modernism in America. Born out of Dallas' darkest days after the assassination of President Kennedy, Dallas City Hall was designed to represent a community seeking to rebrand itself and embrace the future. Importantly, the building is owned by the people of Dallas and with its 4-acre Park Plaza is where residents gather to celebrate, engage in community activity, practice free speech, and participate in their government.

Dallas City Hall is actively under threat of demolition even though it is structurally sound and serves as the purpose-built, municipal seat of Dallas. The push to abandon Dallas City Hall based on suspect cost estimates for maintaining and upgrading the building looks less like good government and more like an effort to benefit developers. In addition to its listing on the Irreplaceable America list, Dallas City Hall has been placed on endangered lists by Preservation Texas and Preservation Dallas as these organizations also believe this building is too important historically and culturally to be lost to the wrecking ball. The effort to save Dallas City Hall has received national attention, including through a series of articles by Dallas Morning News architecture critic Mark Lamster, who was awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism for his commentary about efforts to save the building from demolition.

Comments About Dallas City Hall and the Irreplaceable America List:

Zaida Basora, Vice President of the Save Dallas City Hall Coalition and executive director at AIA Dallas:

“Dallas City Hall is irreplaceable as a major civic anchor in downtown Dallas. Not only is this an architecturally and historically significant building, but it has all of the elements to serve as a catalyst for the kind of development and revitalization that the southern area of downtown Dallas needs.”

Bob Meckfessel, Board Member, Docomomo US North Texas Chapter:

“Dallas City Hall's inclusion on the World Monuments Fund's Irreplaceable America list affirms its place among the nation's most significant architectural landmarks while shining a spotlight on the pressing threats to its future. Designed by I.M. Pei, the iconic Brutalist building has served as the heart and symbol of Dallas government and civic life for nearly fifty years, and as a critical anchor for the southern sector of downtown.”

Sarah Crain, Executive Director, Preservation Dallas:

“Preservation Dallas thanks The World Monuments Fund for including Dallas City Hall on their Irreplaceable America list, calling attention to the national significance of this iconic Dallas structure. This listing, in addition to Dallas City Hall’s place on our own Most Endangered list, further illustrates the importance of saving Dallas City Hall’s unparalleled and egalitarian design by I.M. Pei for future generations.”

Liz Waytkus, Executive Director, Docomomo US:

“Docomomo US is thrilled that Dallas City Hall has been named to the World Monuments Fund's list of America's most Irreplaceable Sites. We couldn't agree more. I.M. Pei's Brutalist masterpiece stands as a bold expression of democracy, civic openness, and architectural excellence. We are pleased to see its importance recognized as extending well beyond Dallas to our nation's architectural and cultural legacy.”

Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO, World Monuments Fund:

“The United States was built by people from every corner of the globe, shaped by Indigenous nations, early settlers, immigrant communities, and generations of cultural exchange. That complexity gave rise to some of America’s most enduring contributions, from colonial heritage to jazz and hip-hop and the Wright brothers’ invention of powered flight. After decades of work at more than 700 sites in 112 countries, WMF has seen what communities gain when they can protect the places that matter and what is lost when they cannot. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Irreplaceable America is a call to protect the places that reflect the richness of that history, and the role heritage plays in education, community memory, and civic life.”

The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition is invested in legal efforts to stop the abandonment and future demolition of Dallas City Hall. We ask Dallas citizens to contact their City Council representative to ask them to support saving City Hall. We are also accepting donations to fund efforts such as legal work, producing collateral that dispels the misinformation, keeping the public updated on this fast-moving process, and more. Dallas City Hall appears on the list alongside nine other places reflecting both the breadth of American history and the range of preservation challenges that many historic sites face. The full 2026 Irreplaceable America list is: New York Smallpox Hospital Ruin, New York; Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Black Mountain College Studies Building, North Carolina; African Meeting House, Boston, Massachusetts; City of New Orleans, Louisiana; Colonial Homes of Newport, Rhode Island; Dallas City Hall, Texas; Mission Churches of Acoma and Laguna Pueblos, New Mexico; Watts Towers, Los Angeles, California; and the Wright Brothers Sites in Dayton, Ohio.

In addition, WMF and the external jury extended a special recognition to the National Park Service in support of the institution’s central role in shaping preservation standards and stewarding more than 430 sites across the United States. The nationwide open call for nominations resulted in 75 submissions, which underwent a structured internal review and were then evaluated by an independent expert panel. Nominations were assessed based on cultural significance, urgency of conservation needs, and the potential community benefit of preservation. The panel included Charles A. Birnbaum, President and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation; Charles L. Davis II, Associate Professor of Architectural History and Criticism and Program Director of the architecture PhD program at the University of Texas at Austin; Paul Goldberger, American author and architecture critic; Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History; Frank Sanchis, retired Regional Director for North America at World Monuments Fund; and Francisco Uviña‑Contreras, Professor of Architecture and Planning and Director of the historic preservation and regionalism graduate certificate program at the University of New Mexico.

For more information about Irreplaceable America, visit wmf.org. To learn more about Dallas City Hall, visit www.savedallascityhall.com.

About Save Dallas City Hall Coalition

Save Dallas City Hall is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. We engage in lobbying and advocacy to preserve Dallas City Hall.

About World Monuments Fund

World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich people’s lives and build mutual understanding across cultures and communities. The organization is headquartered in New York City with offices and affiliates in Cambodia, China, France, India, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Since 1965, our global team of experts has preserved the world’s diverse cultural heritage using the highest international standards at more than 700 sites in 112 countries. Partnering with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF draws on heritage to address some of today’s most pressing challenges: climate adaptation, inclusive heritage, balanced tourism, and post-crisis recovery. With a commitment to the people who bring places to life, WMF embraces the potential of the past to create a more resilient and inclusive society.

Media Contact:

Veletta Lill

Save Dallas City Hall Coalition

Keaton Ramjit

World Monuments Fund

kramjit@wmf.org