Letter
Dear Mr. Holderness:
In its public meeting of 22 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for replacing an existing eight-story office building with a new nine-story multifamily residential building, located at 2121 Virginia Avenue, NW (case number SL 26-044). The Commission approved the concept submission with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed appreciation for the intent to demolish the existing 1980s office building and to return the site to its prior residential use. They found that the overall design is successful in mediating the varying uses and scales of the surrounding context and incorporating design cues from nearby buildings. In general, they expressed support for the proposed massing, facade composition, material selection, and detailing; they suggested further refinement of materials and careful brick coursing details, particularly around the window heads.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the development of the design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Austen Holderness, Chief Development Officer
Carr Properties
1615 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036
cc: Sean Pichon, Michael Graves Architecture