SHAW: Proposed Development on 7th Street NW - Residential and Retail.

Rendering:  PGN Architects

Plans have been proposed, with the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) to redevelop 1612-1616 Seventh St. NW adding one floor and a penthouse onto the existing two-story structures,  plans that will result in 8 residential units and 10,221 sq ft of retail.

Its still early day's, Historic Preservation (HPRB) and BZA need to approve, and the ANC needs to meet and discuss this with the community and developer (this is set for April's ANC6E meeting). 

In the developer's (Gaithersburg Md. based 1612 Seventh Street NW LP) recent meeting with HPRB, the board made some recommendations, including setting back the additional floors (by 22 ft) and protection of the historic buildings in the lot. Getting past the BZA may also cause some issues as, for example, parking does not meet the BZA requirements (only 2 spaces provided by the developer, the BZA requires 16 spaces) a variance would be required and is by no means a given. 

Rendering:  PGN Architect

On view of the proposal, (the renderings) it does seem to enhance the street level view, and the additional floors do not seem to detract from the historic aspect. What is unknown is the reaction of local residents - that should be clearer after the ANC meeting.

I am sure I will be back with updates on this story after the ANC meeting