Church: Ivory Bean Demolition to Start Thursday

Demolition of the historic Ivory Bean building on Washington Street will begin on Thursday, Church of Scientology spokesman Kevin Hall announced.

Crews began setting up equipment on Wednesday to prepare for demolition of the building, which was after a neighbor reported bricks falling from the façade.

“The recent heavy snowstorms of winter have taken enough toll on the building to make it obvious that it could dangerously crumble if not taken down soon,” the Church wrote in a press release.

A permit authorizing demolition of the building has been issued by the city's Inspectional Services Department, which conducted an investigation of the structure following the February incident.

Along with the Alexandra Hotel, located next door at the corner of Mass Ave., the Ivory Bean 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. According to Hall, the project will spruce up a long neglected corner in the neighborhood.

“The Alexandra has been a city eyesore for too long,” he said. “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 have been contracted to perform the demolition, which should 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.