Letter
Dear Mr. Cohen:
In its meeting of 15 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept proposal for the renovation and partial replacement of the hotel and retail complex at 3000 M Street, NW (case number OG 16-325). The Commission approved the concept submission, adopting the report of the Old Georgetown Board (enclosed) with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed support for the contemporary style and abstracted relationship of the proposed design to the rhythm of retail bays along M Street. Noting that the presented design successfully addresses the Board’s guidance for greater solidity and hierarchy along the M Street elevation, they removed this clause from the Board’s recommendation. However, they noted that more complete documentation of the building exterior is required as the design is developed for a permit submission.
The Commission and the Old Georgetown Board look forward to further review of this project. Please coordinate the next submission with the staff, which is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
David Cohen
Thor Equities
25 West 39th Street
New York, NY 10018
cc: Shalom Baranes, Shalom Baranes Associates
Encl: Report of the Old Georgetown Board, 15 September 2016
Report
OG 16-325 (HPA 16-586)
3000 M Street, NW
(Square 1197, Lot 70)
Mixed-Use
Concept—Design Development
(Reviewed: May 2016)
REPORT: In 1977, the Commission approved what would become 3000 M Street at the southwest corner of M and 30th Streets. As built, the multi-part hotel includes two principal elements: a two-story-plus-basement wing along M Street and a seven-story tower to the south. These main elements are separated by a courtyard and linked by a two-story hyphen at the western end of the site and an enclosed second-story bridge near the center; an L-shaped drive with access from M and 30th Streets occupies the courtyard. The front red brick wing has a gable roof, and the rear red brick block includes two mechanical penthouses. A two-story addition with garage entrance and pool is located at the southernmost edge of the sloping site. The three basement levels accommodate parking and hotel rooms.
The hotel closed in 2013 due to extensive water damage. The Old Georgetown Board reviewed and approved renovation plans in 2014 leading to a permit approval in 2015. Thereafter, the developer sold the property. The new owner kept the same architect but changed the design; the revised design incorporates some changes along M Street, removed the sunken courtyard, and re-clad the rear tower in its entirety. Although it is certain a hotel will occupy the tower, it is not clear how many tenants will occupy the re-built retail structure along M Street.
During its reviews, the OGB questioned the scale, rhythm, and articulation of the M Street elevation, especially the eastern and western bays. The Board members questioned the limited amount of hierarchy in the design and the excessive amount of clear glass. The OGB directed the applicant to further study the solidity between the projecting bays, establish variation in the glazing, and introduce a distinctive treatment for the mid-block oriel. More information regarding a proposed roof terrace, signs is needed.
RECOMMENDATION: No objection to concept/design development proposal to demolish non-contributing two-story M Street wing and erect new two-story wing with five glazed bays, one oriel, and two entrances, re-clad and glaze seven-story structure at south, and new two-story addition at existing driveway per supplemental drawings received 7 September 2016 PROVIDED greater solidity and hierarchy is introduced along the M Street elevation.