Letter
Dear Ms. Davis:
In its meeting of 21 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the conversion of an existing nine-story office building to a twelve-story multifamily residential building at 300 Seventh Street, SW (case number SL 18-144). The Commission approved the concept submission with the following comments.
The Commission members expressed support for the proposal to convert this 1970 late-Modern office building to residential use. However, they observed that the design, while acceptable, is quite conventional; they recommended the exploration of a more expressive, less conservative design—perhaps with modern elements, such as corner windows, that would also improve the quality of the living space. Recognizing that the majority of the ground-floor space will be dedicated to residential units rather than to retail tenants, they recommended that the design of the facades at the first levels of the building express this residential use. They also recommended that the site design be improved by the addition of more closely spaced trees within larger planters with continuous root zones. Finally, they suggested working with the National Park Service to develop a short-term plan, such as adding benches and trees, for the small triangular park at the eastern end of the site.
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
Vicki Davis, Managing Director
Urban Atlantic Development
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 600
Bethesda, MD 20814
cc: Jack O. Boarman, BKV Group