Pearl Palace

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The Taliesin Associated Architects (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation) had three buildings built in Iran which include the Damavand Higher Educational Institute (presently known as Payam-e Nour University's Tehran campus), the summer residence of Shams known as Mehrafarin Palace in Chalus (presently occupied by the local police), and the most prestigious, the Pearl Palace.

The Taliesin Associated Architects, William Wesley Peters, Amery-Kamooneh-Khosravi Consulting Architects of Tehran all served as architects for the project and Thomas Casey served as the civil engineer.{{Cite web|date=6 March 2004|title=Prairie's Creator Returns To Oversee Another Expansion|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/343448575/|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin)|pages=11, 13|language=en}} The interior design and furniture was designed by John deKoven Hill and Cornelia Brierly. The landscape design was done by Francis Nemtin.

The palace was built on roughly {{convert|420|acre|order=flip}} of rolling hills and featured an artificial lake.{{Cite web|date=2009-03-16|title=イランの博物館、美術館、宮殿|trans-title=Morvarid Palace-Mueum|url=http://www.world-walker.com/persia/museum/Morvarid%20Palace-Mueum.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316071420/http://www.world-walker.com/persia/museum/Morvarid%20Palace-Mueum.htm|archive-date=2009-03-16|access-date=2021-04-07|website=world-walker.com|language=ja}} The building is around {{convert|16145|sqft|order=flip}} and made of concrete, with two main domes and a "ziggurat" style structure, all connected by stairs and a large ramp.{{Cite book|last=Ṣārimī|first=Katāyūn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6qhMAAAAYAAJ|title=موزه‌هاى ايران|date=1993|publisher=سازمان ميراث فرهنگى کشور،|language=fa|trans-title=Museums of Iran}} Throughout the structure circular patterns are highlighted. The building space included an office, living room, family dining room, a swimming pool, a cinema, a "rare bird hall", and bedrooms.{{Cite web|date=2014-05-22|title=معماری نیوز - کاخ مروارید (شمس) را چگونه فروختند؟ + اسناد|trans-title=How did they sell the Pearl Palace (Shams)?|url=http://www.memarinews.com/vdcbw8b5.rhb8gpiuur.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522070006/http://www.memarinews.com/vdcbw8b5.rhb8gpiuur.html|archive-date=2014-05-22|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Memarinews|language=fa}}

After the Iranian Revolution, the Mostazafan Foundation seized all assets owned by the royal family, including Shams Palace.{{Cite web|date=2017-05-07|title=Shams Palace Not Yet Under ICHHTO Ownership|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/people-travel/63904/shams-palace-not-yet-under-ichhto-ownership|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Financial Tribune|language=en}} The majority of the complex was occupied by a local Baseej unit who neglected its upkeep. The building was recognized as a cultural heritage only in 2002, and registered by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism (Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization), who took control of portions of the building due to its historical significance. Small parts were opened to the public (in 2015) as a result of pressure from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism.{{Cite web|date=2015-03-20|title=درِهای کاخ مروارید به روی مردم باز می‌شود|trans-title=The doors of the Pearl Palace open to the people|url=https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/485135/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%90%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%AE-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.tabnak.ir}}

It is currently in need of repairs; in November 2020, the building was scheduled to undergo rehabilitation work.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-29|title='Pearl' Palace to undergo urgent restoration|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/455221/Pearl-Palace-to-undergo-urgent-restoration|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Tehran Times|language=en}} The restoration was estimated to cost $8–$13 million (300–500 billion rials) in 2017.

• Persian architecture
• Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran

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{{Palaces in Iran}}

{{Alborz Province}}

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Category:1966 establishments in Iran

Category:Residential buildings completed in 1966

Category:Palaces in Iran

Category:Royal residences in Iran

Category:Buildings and structures in Alborz province