Report of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
Monday, September 11, 2023
ARC Members attending: Christine Hobbs, Phil Eagleburger, Ron Ngiam, Anne Weir, David Kay, Danny Ince, Ana Evans, Stefan Hurray, and Win Brown. Also attending were Bonnie LePard, President, Cleveland Park Historical Society and Stephen Hansen, Executive Director, Cleveland Park Historical Society.
This meeting was held via ZOOM.
3427 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Owner: Sunil Chhabra, One Street
Agent: Rich Marcus, Rich Marcus Architect
The proposal for 3427 Wisconsin includes the construction of a new 23-unit apartment building on a to-be-vacant lot. Currently, two houses (3427 Wisconsin and 3433 Wisconsin) and two garages sit on the lot; all are contributing structures in the Cleveland Park Historic District. These houses will be relocated to Norton Place and Ordway Street. A similar project for the site was reviewed by the ARC in January 2022 and April, 2022. At that time, the ARC supported relocating the houses and garages but had concerns about the design presented. The ARC also noted the significance of the site as one of the entrances to the Historic District; the importance of aligning the mass of the apartment building and the relocated houses with the facades of the other houses on Norton Place and Ordway Street; and the importance of the design of the new building as it faces other contributing structures.
The current proposal includes a linear building fronting on Wisconsin Avenue with four stories, a penthouse level and a lower level. The front façade has four bays and a mix of materials with the bays distinguished from the building by a darker shade of finish. The primary material is a “limestone like” finish. The windows and other building details are still being determined. The new building and the two relocated houses will sit on common property with no fencing between them.
The ARC is encouraged by the suggestion of a townhouse- like façade in the front of the new building. This is prominent site, spanning an entire Wisconsin Avenue block and referencing the Historic District is an important consideration, an opportunity to make a significant statement. However, the ARC will need additional information before it can support the design of the project. The ARC has concerns about the massing of the project at the corners of Norton and Ordway and whether the new building and the relocated houses will align with the houses on Norton and Ordway. A 3 D rendering of the proposal especially as seen from Norton and Ordway will facilitate this review and provide contextual information concerning the relative heights and sizes as well as the setbacks and footprint of the building. The Wisconsin Avenue façade is important but so are the facades facing the contributing structures in the Historic District. The windows will need additional consideration. Also, a site map that includes the houses on Norton and Ordway will help inform the discussion about the view line along the streets.
The ARC would like to review this project again.
The motion passed 9-0
3515 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. The Washington Ballet
Agent: Sarah Ghorbanian, SmithGroup
The proposal includes the razing of the existing 1915 building and an existing stair tower. This will be replaced by a new structure and the entire complex will be reclad, creating a more cohesive design. The new structure will result in a modest expansion of the building with many interior improvements being made. The materials include fiber cement panels and large windows facing Wisconsin and Porter Streets. The presenter reports that the existing building is no longer a contributing structure in the Historic District, having been significantly altered over the years. The heritage tree on the corner of Porter and Wisconsin will be protected.
Pending the approval of the Raze permit, the ARC has no objection to the project as presented. The ARC commends the quality of the presentation and the thoughtful design.
The motion passed 9-0.
2964 Newark Street, N.W.
Agent: Eric Gronning, Gronning Architects
2964 Newark Street was built in 1941 and is a contributing structure to the Historic District. It is also one of a pair of brick houses with side entrances and front-facing French doors. The proposal includes a three- story rear addition, rear deck with stairs to the rear yard and a new roof and columns for the front terrace. The length of the addition is 19 feet and the deck is an additional 10 feet. The third level steps back slightly. The addition angels slightly to the south and east, following the lot line. The lot is deep, and the elevation is significantly above the Macomb neighbors to the south. The primary material for the rear addition is lap siding with a smaller amount of brick siding in the rear.
The ARC does not support changing the front façade with the addition of a porch roof and columns. The ARC also has concerns about the size of the rear windows with the potential for creating a “lighthouse” effect particularly for the rear neighbors. To fully evaluate the proposal, the ARC would like to review a site plan that shows the neighboring houses including the houses on Macomb and Newark and an elevation that shows the proposed rear addition from Macomb Street.
The ARC would like to review this project again.
The motion passed 9-0.
