Letter
Dear Ms. Albert:
In its public meeting of 20 February conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear an information presentation on the proposal for significant alterations to the Capital One Arena, located at 601 F Street, NW. The Commission expressed general support for the initiative to revitalize this important civic facility and provided the following comments for the development of a concept design.
In their discussion, the Commission members agreed that the arena occupies a crucial site in both the historic and contemporary urban design framework of Washington, significantly reshaping the downtown neighborhood since its construction in 1997. While acknowledging the current challenges facing the facility and the neighborhood, they found that the proposed modifications to the existing arena may not achieve the stated urban design and architectural goals. They commented that the lower twenty to thirty feet of the building will significantly shape the pedestrian experience, and they expressed concern that the proposed strategy of removing existing exterior-facing retail spaces in favor of improved access and amenities for scheduled arena events would compromise the daily vitality of the surrounding urban fabric. They cited the recent Hudson Yards development in New York City, a large-scale complex with few openings or uses along the sidewalk, that has detrimentally affected the vibrancy of the adjacent avenue. Therefore, to achieve the intended activation of public space around the arena, they advised reconsideration of the mixture of inward- and outward-focused entrances and retail spaces, as well as the proportions and variations of opacity and transparency at the ground-level frontages.
Regarding the proposed modifications at the upper levels of the building, the Commission members commented that the precedents cited for the draped ETFE wrap—the National Portrait Gallery’s courtyard, the exterior scrim of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the atrium of the U.S. Institute of Peace—are coherent forms that create occupiable spaces integral to the experience of their respective buildings, rather than being merely applied elements. They said that the wrap appears episodic and random, lacking the coherence necessary to shape the urban realm or unify the building. In addition, they commented that the relationship between this new formal gesture and the massive rectilinear video screens is poorly resolved; they also advised that the extensive proposed lighting program alone cannot achieve the goal of neighborhood activation if these larger architectural and urban planning issues are not addressed. In conclusion, they emphasized that the proposal would benefit from a rebalancing of priorities so that this important facility can meet its operational and business goals while continuing to contribute to the vitality of the city’s invaluable civic spaces.
The Commission looks forward to the future review of a concept design for this important project. Please continue to consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Nina Albert
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004
cc: Jordan Goldstein, Gensler
Monica Dixon, Monumental Sports & Entertainment