Letter
Dear Mr. Setayesh:
In its meeting of 16 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the redevelopment of the property at 704 3rd Street, NW, for use as a hotel (case number SL 20-049). The Commission approved the concept with the following recommendations for the development of the design.
The Commission members expressed support for the proposed adaptive reuse of the historic Harrison Apartment Building, and for the massing and design of the 12-story addition. However, they expressed concern about the proposed color palette for the addition—primarily dark gray brick with a lighter brick for the top three stories—and requested further study of alternate brick colors. They noted that the proposed dark brick addition, particularly given its size in relation to the Harrison Apartment Building, appears to diminish the historic red brick building, and it would present a very conspicuous change from the established character of predominantly limestone and red brick buildings framing Judiciary Square. They recommended a more subtle treatment of the color palette, with smaller-scale changes of color and less contrast, as well as consideration of differing brick coursing and detail treatments to relate to the historic building. They also recommended further study of the articulation of the bays and the heavy horizontal top of the addition, in order to be less reminiscent of an office building. Finally, they requested more information about the visibility and appearance of the proposed rooftop shading structure and trees.
The Commission looks forward to the review of the next submission for this prominent redevelopment project. As always, the staff is available to assist you in the development of the design.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Amir Setayesh
Quadrum Global
261 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1801
New York, NY 10016
cc: Gene Weissman, Architecture Incorporated
Norman Glasgow, Holland & Knight
David Maloney, D.C. Historic Preservation Office