Park View, D.C.

(Drawing showing 770 Park Road, view toward the southeast. The white building is the proposed addition. Rendering shared at meeting by District Quarters.)

Last night I attended a meeting/presentation by developer District Quarters on their ideas about bringing new life back to the building at 770 Park Road, NW (southeast corner of Park Road and Sherman Avenue). The meeting was  primarily for neighbors of the property and I’ve posted some details about this already. After seeing the plans and renderings, and listening to the presentation and neighbor feedback, here are some additional details I was able to learn.

While the building is zoned for residential use, it was originally built in 1911 as a mixed-use building with retail on the first floor and living quarters on the second. District Quarters plans to construct 9 living units that will be housed on the second and third levels and in a new addition that will be located along Sherman Avenue. The units will range in size from 1,100-1,700 sq. ft. each, meaning 2-3 bedroom units.

The basement level and first floor will be used to create space for commercial uses, right now the plan is to create spaces for 3 businesses — two on the first floor and one in the basement level. Overall, attendees seemed pleased with the concept of the development, which would largely restore the current building and create an addition that is architecturally complimentary to the surrounding buildings.

Much of the discussion was focused on the types of businesses people would like to see in the building. There were mixed opinions on whether or not a restaurant or gastropub would be a good fit or even permitted by zoning. Other options discussed were dry cleaners, a bike shop, or even a store that is more of a specialty shop like Glenn’s. Where there did seem to be consensus was in not wanting a 7-Eleven or a Subway or similar business.

There was also some concern on parking. The building would only be required to provide 2 parking spaces, but is planning on providing 8. However, the parking spaces would be using the shared driveway that also accommodates the flats to the south of the property. In addition to how the parking would work, there was also discussion on who would maintain the shared driveway and plow it in the winter.

If all goes well, construction could start in about a year and wrap up the following year, looking for completion sometime in 2018 or early 2019.

The developers are scheduled to come before ANC1A on September 14th to make a presentation to the Commission and get approval of the zoning variances they need.

(Birds-eye-view of property showing proposed addition on Sherman Avenue and penthouse structure. Rendering shared at meeting by District Quarters.)