Chapman Stables Development Needs to Alter Roof Addition Before Key Approval

• July 28th 2015

by Tianna Mañón

A proposal to redevelop a former garage and stables in Truxton Circle is headed back to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) on Thursday, and a staff report from the Historic Preservation Office shows that while it recommends the project’s approval, there is still concern about the proposed roof structure, which was a sticking point at the last meeting.

Developer Four Points is planning a 110-unit residential development at Chapman Stables that would combine two lots, one the historic stable and the other a vacant lot at 57 N Street NW (map). The historic building will have an additional glassy third floor and the new construction behind it will rise to five stories. Originally, 120 units were proposed but HPRB requested a decrease for the roof addition on the historic building, which reduced the number of units.

Four Points reduced the design yet again, which could impact the total number of units. It’s now proposing to set the structure back 21 feet and six inches, instead of 12 and a half feet. The full height for the structure remains unchanged at 25 feet, bringing the building to a total 50 feet.

While the Historic Preservation Office noted in its report that Four Points has made some changes, it said that the structure is still not aligned with the character of the stable.

“The revised plans do not adequately address the more significant issue of the scale of construction on the historic building’s rooftop,” the report stated. “The Staff recommends that the Board approve the project with the condition that a preservation plan be prepared and presented and that the proposed roof addition to the landmark be removed entirely, or be sharply reduced in scale.”

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/historic_preservation_review_board_still_not_happy_with_chapman_stables_pro/10178.