The project to redevelop the old church at 625 Park Road, the surface parking lot, and the rowhouse at 633 Park Road is making good progress. Work began in earnest in January 2017 following approval from the Board of Zoning Adjustment in July 2014.
The approved plans are for new construction connected to the historic church to create 38 new housing units in the neighborhood.
Below are views of the construction in progress.
(Construction at 547 Park Road, NW)
If you’ve been down Park Road lately, you may have noticed that 547 Park Road is popping up. From a building permit issued on December 14, 2016, (B1605146), the third floor addition over the existing footprint was approved, including full Structural and MEP. The building will also change its use from a single family dwelling to two family flat. This project was approved as a matter-of-right, meaning the permit did not require ANC review of Board of Zoning Adjustment approval. In this case, the building can be no more than two units or more than 35 ft. in height.
In the coming years, the 500-600 block of Park Road appears to be headed for significant changes. While the most significant change will be the redevelopment of Park Morton on the south side of the street, the owner of 503 Park Road submitted an application to raze the house there on December 13th, 549 Park Road sought approval to convert that building into a 3-unit building at the beginning of 2016, and the apartment building at 525 Park Road is in the midst of being redeveloped into a building that has larger apartments units.
(Historic image from the Washington Times, Aug. 23, 1908)
This row of homes on Park Road east of Georgia Avenue has certainly seen some changes over the years. They were designed in 1908 by architect N. T. Haller for builder Percy H. Russell. When they were completed Georgia Avenue was still named Brightwood Avenue, Park Morton (now behind and next to the row) wouldn’t be built for another 53 years, and the Soldiers’ Home was still open to the public. In fact, the Soldiers’ Home was considered a major selling feature of these homes. The real estate ad offering these homes to the public stated that one of their many advantages was “one of the most beautiful parks in the world — SOLDIERS’ HOME — containing over 500 acres of land, which is yours without the care or expense of paying taxes, if you are “LUCKY” enough to own one of these houses.”
"The territory comprising Park View extends from Gresham Street north to Rock Creek Church Road, and from Georgia Avenue to the Soldiers' Home grounds, including the triangle bounded by Park Road, Georgia Avenue, and New Hampshire Avenue" (from Directory and History of Park View, 1921.)
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