| Flag Building | |
|---|---|
 Scientology's Flag Building | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Scientology |
| Leadership | Religious Technology Center |
| Status | Opened |
| Location | |
| Location | Clearwater, Florida |
| Geographic coordinates | 27°57′48″N 82°47′57″W / 27.963403°N 82.799124°W |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Mediterranean Revival[1] |
| Groundbreaking | 1998 |
| Completed | 2011 |
| Construction cost | US$145,000,000 (as of October 2015)[2] |
| Capacity | 889 rooms, 42 bathrooms |
The Flag Building, also referred to as the Super Power Building, is the largest building in Clearwater, Florida. It is owned by the Church of Scientology and was built principally to deliver the Super Power Rundown, a high-level Scientology training course intended to train Scientologists to use what Scientology describes as all of their 57 "perceptics" or senses. The interior of the building contains training suites, course rooms, theaters and various devices intended to test these "perceptics," including a "time machine", an anti-gravity simulator, an "infinite" pit, and a pain station.
The complex occupies a city block at 215 South Fort Harrison Avenue. It includes a 15-story tower topped by a bronze Scientology cross visible from much of Clearwater. Construction began in 1998, was halted in 2003, and was ultimately resumed to reach substantial completion during 2011. The long delay in construction led to substantial fines being levied by the city authorities. The building is valued at $80 million and at least $145 million was raised by Church fundraising towards the project. The church denies accusations that the Flag Building's completion was deliberately delayed so that it could serve as a cash cow.
The Church of Scientology announced in August 2013 that the building would be opened to the public on October 6, 2013, with a dedication ceremony that the church estimated would attract approximately 10,000 Scientologists.[3] However, a month later it emerged that the Church had canceled the ceremony and postponed the opening of the building.[4] The building finally opened on November 17, 2013.[5]
- ^ O'Neill, Deborah (July 28, 2002). "Unmistakable presence". St. Petersburg Times.
- ^ "Gorgeous photos give an inside look at the sprawling $145 million Scientology headquarters in Florida". Business Insider.
- ^ Frago, Charles (August 16, 2013). "Church of Scientology sets opening of long-delayed Flag Building in Clearwater". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ Frago, Charles (August 16, 2013). "Scientologists cancel Flag Building dedication scheduled for Oct. 6". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ "Church of Scientology Dedicates $145 Million 'Super Power' Building". ABC News. November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.