Carillon House Apartments

Carillon House, 2500 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington DC, 20007
The Carillon House Apartment building is a massive 50's era apartment building offering up a few amenities for its studio and one-bedroom apartments, like limited garage parking, shared washer/dryer, very small fitness center, 24 hour front desk with some concierge services, storage spaces, bike room, and small roofdeck, but offers decent rates, and a solid Wisconsin Ave location on main bus routes (but not near Metro). The apartment building sits across from a park in the middle of trendy Glover Park, one of the best little retail strips around, with a Whole Foods across the street to boot. And if you're into espionage, the Russian Embassy is next door. The Carillon House lobby is updated and pleasant, though the interior finishes remain pretty spartan, and include the original parquet floors, but are well maintained. Despite the austere white brick facade, which looks like it could be an adjunct of the old Soviet Embassy, the neighborhood is vibrant of full of good retail, and the only large apartment building in Glover Park proper. The Carillon sits on the rise above Glover Park, so the bonus views are on the south side, where going only a few floors up yields dramatic views over the city. The building was topped by an electronic carillon for many years, broadcasting music to the neighborhood every day at noon, and was the first Washington DC apartment building with central air conditioning.

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Fillmore Sounds Like Music to Silver Spring

Silver Spring's downtown will soon be the heart of an Art and Entertainment District as Montgomery County swaps a shuttered JCPenney for the Fillmore Music Hall, inspired by the original Fillmore in San Francisco. Courtesy of Live Nation music company and Lee Development Group, the venue will sit on Colesville Road between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street, across from the AFI Silver Theater and down the street from Discovery Communications. In an interesting swap, Lee, which owns the building, will build the new music hall for the county, and both the state and county will contribute $4 million toward construction. The developer will give the Fillmore property (valued at $3.5 million) to the county in exchange for land use allowances on an adjoining property at 8615 Georgia Avenue, currently planned to include a hotel and office buildings. The Fillmore will be a historic reuse project, maintaining the exterior of the old department store that has been vacant for almost 20 years. The new theater could have capacity ranging between 500 and 2,000, depending on the type of performances. The design for the project is by Hickok Cole Architects which is also behind the design for Lee's planned hotel and commercial buildings at Georgia Avenue, which will back up to the Fillmore. The project planned for Georgia Avenue will bring a 12-story Class A Office Space and a 14-story 3 Star Hotel to the 72,000 s.f. of land. The developer indicated the team was deep in the planning stages for the commercial and hotel project and had not yet been through any Planning reviews. In November, the County approved the exchange, with assurances to the developer that the County will pay the developer for any costs it might incur resulting from interceding zoning changes that affect the office and hotel project. The exchange is an aberration from the normal process by which a developer's plan is approved contingent on community benefits. In this case, Lee is building the theater (the community benefit) and promising to give away land without prior project approval for the proposed hotel and office. To offset the risk of not receiving approval and having to adjust designs for the commercial development, Lee received promises from the County that it would pay development costs due to any new regulations imposed on the Georgia Avenue Property. Construction for the music hall could begin by the end of this year, setting the Fillmore Music Hall for a grand opening in late 2011. The County expects a $700,000 yearly profit from the venue. Photo by Lizzie Turkevich. 

Silver Spring commercial real estate and development news

DeSoto Apartments

The Desoto, 1445 P St., NW, Washington DC
The Desoto apartment building is a 7-floor, 66 unit apartment building located in the heart of the Logan Circle neighborhood. The Desoto aims for the loft style prevalent in Logan, with floor to ceiling windows, polished concrete floors, stainless steel appliances, sisal bedroom carpeting, and exposed ducts. The building was completed in 2003 - one of the early multi-family buildings in the area - designed by SK&I Architectural Design Group and developed by PN Hoffman and SJG Properties.

The DeSoto is named after the car maker, sitting as it does in the heart of what was once "auto alley," where cars were sold and repaired once upon a time. But pedestrians have reclaimed the scene, and the area is now much better known for the Whole Foods across the street. The DeSoto Apartment building is the sister building to the Hudson, located next door. Parking is available in the two-level garage below, and small pets are allowed.

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Embassy Condos Try Again

The Embassy Condo of Mt. Pleasant and owners 1613 Harvard Street Limited Partnership have finally bounced back from a legal defeat in 2005 at the hands of the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and have once again begun selling the 76 units in the building as condos.

The previous owners of the Embassy Apartments, as they have long been known, registered the apartment with DCRA as a condominium way back in 1980 - a necessary step in the conversion process - but did not pursue sales. When the new owners attempted to evict the tenants for the conversion on the basis of the 1980 approval, the tenants brought the matter to DCRA, which issued a "cease and desist" order against Embassy owners in March 2005. The ensuing law suit ended in 2005 with a judgment against the building owners in which Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher issued a smackdown, and ruled that “having failed to exercise its right to convert for 19 years since it acquired the property and for almost 25 years since the property was approved for conversion, Harvard is equitably barred from doing so now."

Since that time, the group behind the project is now back in good standing with DCRA and has started condo sales. In 2006 the owners received approval for window replacement and interior renovations. The sales website for the condos boasts of "sweeping hardwood floors, chef’s grade kitchens and contemporary finishes." Sales representatives did not return any calls regarding the project. Paid advertisements began appearing last week, but the project has not yet appeared on the MLS.

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UPDATE : (o1/15/10) Sales representatives for the Embassy contacted DCMud with additional information on the building. Sales are set to begin next week on the 23rd, at which point it will appear on the MLS. Prices for studios range from just below $200 to the mid-$200s, one-bedrooms range from the high $200s to the high $300s, and two-bedrooms range from the mid-$400s to the low $500s.

Ripley District Moving On Up

Silver Spring's Ripley District, once home to a derelict strip of parking garages and auto body shops, has had its share of growing pains in the economic downturn, but signs of progress are sprouting up in the form of construction and design reviews for area projects. The Ripley District, a triangular parcel of downtown Silver Spring between Bonifant Street, Georgia Avenue and the B & O Railroad, is one of Montgomery County's reinvention projects in an effort to bolster real estate development and the growth of Silver Spring. Planned residential and commercial projects are in various stages of development, one building is almost finished, others are waiting on the sidelines.

The County approved designs for the Midtown Silver Spring residential building in September 2008, but developer Home Properties is back with altered plans, a new project name - Ripley Street North - and a new architect - Shalom Baranes Architects. The team submitted amended plans earlier this month, and the developer expects to go before the Planning Board shortly after their February meeting with the Design Review Committee. The new plans, though still tentative, would increase the total number of residential units by 50 to 396 and, of the total, 49 will be moderately priced. Though the team has made several adjustments to areas including public use space and building setbacks, the planned structure maintains a 5.0 FAR density rating. According to Elza Hisel-McCoy a Coordinator within Montgomery County Planning Department's Development Review Division, depending on the comments from the Design Review Committee, the Planning board could review the project six weeks to two months thereafter. More information will be available once the DRB makes recommendations and the Planning Board staff issues a review, likely to come this spring.

Hisel-McCoy added that another planned residential project, the Lessard Group-designed 1150 Ripley, formerly know as 1050 Ripley, has all of its approvals, but there have been no signs of forward motion so far. The approved Washington Property Company plan is for a 306,000- s.f. residential building that will include 318 rental units including 48 moderately priced dwelling units and 7,000 s.f. of commercial space. Evan Feldman, a Development Manager for Washington Properties, indicated that the team is working on financing right now, but expects to begin construction in April of this year, despite the lack of a general contractor. Once construction begins, Feldman expects the first units to be available in 18 months and the entire project to deliver in 21 months. 

For some actual progress in the district, Division One Architects, the minds behind the Lacey, have been working on a brand new headquarters building for ALC, Inc., which will sit on the southwest corner of Ripley Street at Georgia Avenue. The three level building includes a ground floor restaurant and walk up office space with green features like a sodded roof and north and east oriented facades to capture all that natural daylight. The project should deliver by April or May of this year. The County's efforts to re-brand the Ripley District are crawling along, but the development movement so far looks promising for the future. 

Silver Spring real estate development news

NoMa's First Residential Projects

Union Station's finally getting new neighbors as NoMa's very first new residential developments approach completion. The Loree Grand, the first phase of the planned Union Place development, brings 212 new rental units to 250 K St., NE. The building, which began construction in July 2007, is on track to be ready for occupants by March or April. Next door Paradigm Development is hard at work on The Washington Center student housing also slated for April delivery. The new NoMa residents will have gobs of transportation options including the metro, Marc and Amtrak lines, buses, the new bikestation and, if the street cars ever get worked out, a short ride to the H Street/Atlas District. The two new residential elements will be joined by Constitution Square, which is also expected to be finished in 2010. It's looking to be a good year for NoMa. Loree Grand developer, the Cohen Companies, purchased the land for just over $1 million and has spent $45 million on construction costs with ADC Builders and GTM Architects, the general contractor and architect, respectively. The bulk of the 212 units are variations on 1-bedroom apartments with the remaining 30 units built to 2-bedroom configurations. The Loree Grand will also offer 30 affordable apartments, likely to go to artists, arts administrators, and arts educators thanks to a partnership with the Cultural Development Corporation. Though not certified officially green, the building features a green roof with self-sustaining plant life, but makes up for it with 173 parking spaces in two below-grade levels and an additional 39 spaces on an adjoining surface parking lot. The Loree sits on the corner of 3rd and K Streets with 10 stories at 90ft on the corner stepping down to 7 stories at 60ft on the north end. The design features three shades of brick with precast concrete trim-work and detailing. The the first two floors reflect traditional Washington row house designs, with unit entrances fronting K Street and 3rd Street that will also be accessible from the interior. The building includes amenities such as a 2,000-s.f. private fitness center and 1,500-s.f. "party room". On the ground floor at 3rd and K sits approximately 3,700 s.f. of retail space, which Eric Siegel, Executive VP at the Cohen Companies, says he hopes to fill with a food/wine/coffee shop along the lines of Tryst in Adams Morgan. When(ever) the second phase of Union Place finishes, residents will also have access to a child care facility. According to Michelle Pilon, a Sr. Project Manager at the Cohen Companies, Phase II of Union Place is "currently on hold," but will ultimately feature 500 apartment units and 8,400 s.f. of commercial tenant space. 

Siegel indicated the group was working on drawings now for Phase II, but it sounds like neighbors at the Loree Grand won't have to worry about construction noise for a while. Facing the Loree is 1001 3rd St. NE, soon to be home to students of The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The 140,000 s.f. project should deliver this April with 95 rental units and 14,000 s.f. for a state of the art auditorium, classroom space and one level of underground parking with 35 spaces for the swarms of interns who hit DC every year. The Washington Center purchased the property in January of last year for $8.2 million from Greenebaum and Rose. The sale also included designs for the six-story building by architects at Davis Carter Scott, whose plans needed only a few interior alterations to accommodate the student housing. According to Steve Griffin of Paradigm, the housing should be home to 1,200 students rotated throughout the year. Most units are two bedrooms, two baths at about 1,000 s.f. each; not too shabby for interns. In 2003 Greenebaum and Rose bought the land which was once home to the Capitol Cab Company. 

The Davis Carter Scott plans, which were sold in 2009 along with the property, originally called for a $20 million, six story, 92,800-s.f. residential building. In May of 2008 Greenebaum and Rose partner, Sam Rose, told DCMud, “For now, it’s a piece of land with a permit. We’re not starting until the world looks prettier." It would seem that $8.2 million looked a lot prettier than a questionable condo project. The two projects are huge improvements over the former cab company and what was at one time a major drug intersection. The Loree Grand is named after Loree Murray, a former area resident who founded Near Northeast Citizens Against Crime and Drugs to organize neighbors against the rampant cocaine trade and violence in the 1980s. The group aided the police in fighting against one of the biggest cocaine drug rings in DC that at one time operated at 2nd and K St NE, future home of urbanites and interns. Liz Price, President of the NoMa BID, said, "all this residential is a new area for us. We're really excited to build residential density in this neighborhood."

Washington DC commercial property news

Waterfront Towers Condos

Waterfront Towers, 1101 3rd St., SW, Washington DC
Waterfront Towers was redeveloped by Centre Square, LLC, Bernstein Companies, Peak Development and Abdo Development. The "tower", at 9 stories, was designed by I.M. Pei, like several of its neighbors, and built in 1960, then converted to a condo in 2009. The 123-unit project underwent a full renovation in 2008 and 2009, with some green (but not LEED-certified) elements. Sales of the new condos began in August of 2009. The building retains the large, gated surface parking lot, with modern interior finishes and, for the larger units only, washers and dryers in the unit; with a common laundry room in the basement.


Waterfront Towers are not actually on the waterfront - the river is a short walk - but is only a block from the Waterfront Metro station. Prices for the condos started in the $200's for a small studio and at $320,000 for one bedroom. Real estate sales by the Mayhood Companies; about a third of the units in the building were pre-sold to existing tenants.

Washington DC real estate news

Tenleytown Safeway Indefinite Postponement

It looks like all the fuss over the Tenleytown Safeway at 4203 Davenport Street is far from over. Last night the DC Zoning Commission approved a request from the Safeway project team to indefinitely postpone the review of the submitted plan, which was scheduled for this Thursday. The team submitted their request indicating they needed more time go back and address some issues brought forth by the Office of Planning and the community. The indefinite nature of the postponement suggests the Safeway team has been nudged into submission by the neighborhood over the past few months; in August a Safeway spokesperson had anticipated plans would be finalized by this past September.

The existing Safeway store is 35,000 s.f. and, according to the plans initially submitted to the Office of Planning, the new store, designed by Torti Gallas, would grow to 58,000 s.f. and include neighborhood retail like a coffee shop, dry cleaners and florist. The project would provide 176 off-street parking spaces, some of which will be on the ground level below the elevated grocery story and some in a surface parking lot. The roof would have 1400 s.f. of green roof elements, the remainder would be a "cool roof," which means a mere 2.6% of the roof is currently designed to be green. Though Craig Muckle, a spokesperson for Safeway, said the building would have other green features and would aim for LEED Silver at minimum.

In October, the Office of Planning expressed concerns about various elements of the plan and requested additional environmental benefits such as an expanded green roof and increased permeability in the surface parking lot. The OP report also cited issues with elements of the site design and building placement. The current plans seeks exemptions including a reduced number of parking spaces, providing 176 when 185 are required, and zoning changes, as several of the included lots are currently zoned for residential uses. Among the more significant requests from Planning was that the applicant better address why the project, given its location, should get zoning exemptions since, unlike many similar projects, the plan does not include any residential density. OP seems to suggest the project has neither demonstrated a need for the requested flexibility nor demonstrated the additional benefits to the community to justify a change in the zoning evaluation from a matter of right to PUD. To paraphrase, what's in it for "us"? A question neighbors have been more than willing to ask.

Neighbors object to a variety of elements about the plan. Certain voices clamor for dense mixed-use development that includes residential space and retail independent of the grocer. Others in the neighborhood prefer the short and squat nature of buildings in the surrounding area and would prefer to see changes come as matter of right development, leaving out the chance of future denser development. Then there are the standard worries about noise, traffic, and lack of community benefits. The community has some reconciling to do and Safeway now has plenty of time to get that feedback.

According to Muckle, the group "had been doing outreach and a number of issues arose" the team requested "more time to explore the issues without the pressure of a pending hearing prohibiting them from examining as fully as needed." Why the indefinite proposal then, why not six months? Muckle said Safeway did not want to be "pigeonholed" by a timeline. In Safeway's request for postponement, the team indicated that they will work with the community and Office of Planning to come to a consensus of sorts at which point the team and Commission will schedule a new hearing.

Washington, DC real estate and development news

Fennessy Lofts

Fennessy Lofts, 1209 13th St., NW, Washington DC
Fennessy Lofts is a 9-story, 38-unit condo building in Logan Circle with 1 and 2-story condos, completed in early 2008, some with balconies and private rooftop space. Upgrade options include tilework for the kitchens and bathrooms, installed sound systems and flat screen TVs, though standard details were not lavish, with features like a laminate lobby floor and plush interior carpeting. Base prices ran initially from $324k (500 s.f. 1 bedroom) to $780k for duplex penthouse units with private decks. Parking available for purchase. Developed by Washington DC-based Ellis Denning, this was the last of the numerous undeveloped lots on 13th Street, now all residential, rising in place of the market formerly on site.

The design by Hickok Cole incorporates the historic livery behind the building that was renovated and turned into 8 two-story units that feature the historic elements of the building. Sales at Fennessy Lofts began in March, 2006, with marketing by McWilliams Ballard; condos were also offered for rent in January 2008. Sales switched to Gallagher and Co in late 2008, which sold the remaining units after a massive price drop, down to $399k for a two-bedroom unit.

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Shaw's Addison Square

Despite skepticism from community members, Metropolitan Development says it is near finality for launching the $54 million Addison Square development in Shaw. The former site of the Kelsey Gardens apartments, the 8-story, mixed-use development will be Metropolitan Development's first DC project. Designed by the Lessard Architectural Group, the 12 townhouses, 278 rental units, and 14,000 s.f. of ground-floor retail are slated to take the place of the 54 subsidized apartments currently on the site, but finally closed and fenced off.

Developers at Metropolitan were granted preliminary PUD approval in March 2009 and according to Metropolitan Construction Manager Jim Wurzel there has every reason to believe they will "have final approval signed in the next few weeks" - a prediction representatives in the DC Office of Zoning also confirmed.

"We're hoping we can start construction this summer," he says, adding that when the development is complete it will fill in some of the "final pieces of renewal for that area." But for a community that has seen its fair share of stalled development projects over the past few years, the hopes and assurances of developers are greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially for a development that was thought to be a year away almost a year and a half ago.

"We're probably talking 2011 or 2012 before anything is even torn down," predicts ANC Commissioner and Shaw Main Streets founder, Alexander Padro who adds ominously, that "the reality is that financing for the project, they needed to get that from the city and with the current economic climate and banks' unwillingness to provide financing - it makes it impossible to move forward." In response to Padro's timeline concerns, Wurzel asserted, "our intent and our efforts are to get things going this summer," adding admittedly, "in this climate who knows what's really going to happen next week, regardless off what we're trying to do." Wurzel said that the two year project might mean residents would not be able to move in until 2012, but that his firm is "working toward ground breaking this summer."

Economic indicators aside, Metropolitan has had an uphill battle developing Addison Square ever since they purchased the Kelsey Gardens property back in 2004. In those days, the developers found themselves embroiled in a legal battle with Kelsey Gardens tenants who had banded together to try to block re-development of the property by attempting to purchase Kelsey Gardens themselves. Metropolitan has since payed $250,000 in relocation assistance to the former tenants who will have first dibs on Addison Square's 54 affordable units when the development is complete.

Today, Padro characterizes Metropolitan Development as "responsive to the neighbors" and sites their willingness to shrink the development from nine stories down to eight, remap the alley to make it wider, and come up with what Padro calls a "substantial community benefits package" as signs that they want what is best for the community.

  

In exchange for the development, the community will receive a $250,000 donation to support neighborhood organizations including Padro's own Shaw Main Streets organization, as well as the Shaw Junior High music program and the local library branch.

With community members now more or less on board with the project, it's only a matter of time before we find out what the future holds for a construction site located just one block away from the O Street Market, another hopeful, yet slow moving re-development project in Shaw. To date, Metropolitan Development has not released the name of a general contractor for the project, an issue Wurzel says is "sensitive."

Washington DC commercial property news

Waterview Condos

Waterview Condos, 1111 19th Street, Arlington VA
Waterview is a new office, hotel and condo project towering over the Potomac in the Rosslyn section of Arlington. Construction for Waterview condos started in March 2005; sales began in January 2007. Prices for the 136 condos ranged from $469k (one bedroom) to $2.5 million; 2-bedroom units started in the high $700k's. Located at 19th & Lynn and overlooking the Potomac and Washington DC, Waterview includes the 160-room Hotel Palomar, with condos rising 17 stories above the hotel, permitting full hotel amenities and concierge, not to mention great views of Washington DC and monuments from the eastern units. Waterview also includes 7,180 s.f. of retail above the Rosslyn Metro, all in two towers: a 24-story office tower (in front) and a 30-story building housing the condos and hotel; connected by a 4th-story terrace.

Development by JBG of Chevy Chase. Designed by James Ingo Freed of Pei/Cobb/Freed, construction by Clark Construction of Bethesda. The first settlements in the building took place in May, 2008, the project was reported sold out in by the sales team in late 2008, but sales continued on into 2010.

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Lacey Condos

The Lacey, 2250 11th Street, NW, Washington DC

The Lacey is a 26-unit condo, the first deliveries began in March, 2009. DC-based Division1 Architects, a DC-based architectural firm, designed The Lacey's contemporary look, with rectangles of glass, steel and concrete, and striking interiors accentuated with sliding glass walls, most have outdoor space (courtyards or decks) and very refined finishes, including Snaidero cabinets - all in all the most contemporary condo in Washington DC. The building includes quiet, low-energy elevator, garage parking, a common roofdeck, and features design elements such as floating hallways that allow light from the roof to filter through the first floor.

Construction of the Lacey started in May 2007. 4 Penthouses have both private rooftop terraces and balconies. The Lacey occupies the lot next to the fabled Florida Avenue Grill, and was named after the Grill's former owner, Lacey Wilson. The condo was developed by the Grill's current owner, Imar Hutchins and Division1 Architects, sales by DCRE.

Washington DC real estate and retail news

Logan Station Condos

Logan Station Condos, 1210 R St., NW, Washington DC 

Logan Station is a 4-story stick-built condo building, taking over the previously vacant lot at R and Vermont in the Shaw neighborhood. The project offers 63 condos, from studios to two-beds plus den, including townhouse style units on the first floor with private entrances from the street, with a 'green' roof. One-beds were priced originally from mid $300k's, two-beds from the high $500k's, with penthouse units in the $700's. Underground parking available, and a wide variety of floorplans. Penthouses at Logan Station condos feature commercial-grade stainless steel Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and exotic hardwood flooring, lower units have more standard features with Kohler fixtures and plasma TVs. Sales began March, 2006, the first deliveries on the building took place in August, 2007; the project sold out in July of 2008. Developed by Bogdan Builders of Bethesda (which also built Ivy at Harvard, Villaggio, and later, Cityscape at Belmont), architectural design by Eric Colbert. Post your comments below about this condo

Washington DC real estate news

Parker Flats at Gage School

Parker Flats at Gage School is 3-building development - the renovation Washington DC's historic Gage School, built in 1904 and renovated under historic preservation guidelines, and construction of 2 new condo buildings. The new condos are four-story, wood-framed buildings with red brick facades, in keeping with the character of neighborhood. Located just east of Howard University, and set against architecturally appealing, if largely unrenovated, single family homes of the area. The Gage school offers 92 units - 33 in the original structure - priced originally from the upper $200k's for studios and from $339k for two beds (marked down from $445k). Delivery began in the summer of 2007 when the building was completed, with features including maple cabinets, high ceilings (up to 14 ft in some units), balconies, and both underground and above-grade parking available. Developed by Urban Realty Advisors, which was chosen by Howard University to convert the decaying building into housing. URA was later bought out by Monument Realty. Designed by Bonstra Haresign Architects, which oversaw the renovation of the historic school and designed the new buildings. Construction by James G Davis Construction began in March 2006. Real estate sales by McWilliams Ballard began in February 2006, but in 2008 switched to Urban Land, sales are ongoing.

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K Street Redesign: And the Winner Is...

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has chosen a plan for remaking K Street downtown into a two-lane center transit way with loading zones, to streamline the lobbying corridor between Washington Circle and Mount Vernon Square. Throughout the fall, DDOT held a series of public meetings to allow interested parties to provide comments regarding the project. DDOT considered two build options to address infrastructure, safety, congestion and access problems in the busy K St corridor. The K St Redesign is estimated to cost $139 million, which DDOT hopes to cover entirely with federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds.

The winning design includes two center bus/transit lanes, which might allow taxis at limited hours, separated from the general purpose lanes by a median. During rush hour there would be three general purpose lanes and during regular hours the curb lanes might be used for loading and parking. In this alternative, commuter buses would stop in the curb lanes to pick up passengers traveling to the MD and VA suburbs. As for cars and pedestrians, the plan would include 200 on-street parking spaces during off-peak hours as well as on-street loading in off-peak hours, and provide a shared lane for bikes with autos and a shared lane with parking in off-peak hours.

TIGER fund recipients will be announced in February.

Washington DC real estate development news

Mark Center Drama in Alexandria

Mass murder, national security, terrorism: the usual stuff of National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meetings. Yesterday's review of the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) at Mark Center, part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) project had all sorts of unexpected drama. The rare colorful discussion included one Commissioner who cited 9/11 as the reason for his disregard for community complaints about security measures, another sardonically suggested the Army valued employees over citizens, and a neighbor who loudly drew a picture of mass murder in the cul-de-sacs of Alexandria because of the new Mark Center. The two-hour NCPC soap opera belied the stringent federally-mandated design standards for the new behemoth, which leave few design elements up for debate. The 1.7 million s.f. building, developed by Duke Realty, will sit on 16 acres of land located west of Seminary Road and I-395 in Alexandria. Duke is working with project architects HKS and WBA, Clark Construction, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Alexandria. The two office towers are 15 and 17 stories, connecting on their first 10 floors, and will house 6,400 DOD personnel. The exteriors will feature materials that meet federally mandated security standards including blast-resistant glass and preventative measures against "progressive collapse." Even with the limited flexibility for design, the Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with the City of Alexandria to accommodate concerns raised about the size and appearance of the buildings - with space for 29,000 employees it will be one of northern Virginia's largest - which will be highly visible from the surrounding community. Updated plans include architectural refinements such as more noticeable curvature on the rooftops and an area for a public art display at the North Parking Garage, though the City remains less than thrilled with the overall design. The planned remote inspection facility (RIF) was the reason for all the shouting and name calling at the NCPC meeting. The facility, which allows for dog inspection of vehicles prior to entering the main campus, will be located in a "secure area of the east campus, over 610 feet away from the office towers," according to the NCPC staff report. 

From the beginning, the City requested this facility be located in an off site location, citing design concerns, traffic issues and worries over the safety of the community. Since the original request the Army has determined that the facility must be located on site, but has made efforts to add screening along adjoining Seminary Road to minimize its visual impact and has added a green roof to the facility. According to Peter Sholz, Senior VP of DC Operations for Duke Realty, the group has adjusted the design significantly, even adding blast-proof features to reassure the community. Sholz said about the overall design that it is "important to note that the government agreed to make some significant modifications in response to comments from the city and citizens." He added that modifications to the RIF and changes in the design such as adding a circular loop access road, pedestrian bridge, and facade changes have increased the cost of the project to the government by between $15 and $18 million. Sholz said the final project costs are hard to estimate and it is "conceivable" that the added costs could be offset through various cost saving measures the group is taking. Despite the hubbub, the designs received NCPC approval, though not unanimous, and Sholz said the project is on schedule for completion in 20 months. On a technical note, the NCPC has an advisory role in reviewing federal projects in Northern Virginia in the "environs" if DC. Generally a project comes before the NCPC and does not begin construction until it receives final review with approval and recommendations. Mark Center is an odd exception to the processes and authorities of the NCPC in that the structure, despite lacking final approval, is already at advanced stages of construction in order to meet the BRAC federally mandated September 2011 timeline. 

David Levy, NCPC Director of Urban Design and Plan Review, said the Commission gave the project foundation approval in February, hence the construction, and that yesterday's meeting addressed the preliminary and final site and building plans. The design elements for the two towers debated at yesterday's meeting have not yet been constructed, though the developers hesitated to bend to the requests from Alexandria for further adjusted building designs; the steel for the structures has already been ordered. Sholz did say that the team spoke with their steel company just yesterday to see if there was a way to change the shape of the ordered product to meet the City's design requests. Sholz's continued efforts support Levy's assertion that the NCPC approval was in part an expression of the Commission's confidence the design issues could be worked out. 

Alexandria real estate and development news