Third Time the Charm to Bring a Third Floor to the Black Cat?

• May 17, 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

Black Cat

As the 14th Street Corridor increasingly becomes a destination, longtime neighborhood stalwart The Black Cat is seeking approval for a set of plans that mark more of an evolution than an expansion.

Currently, the music venue at 1811 14th Street NW (map) is two stories with a parapet and roof with mechanical equipment and a small penthouse. The proposed design would partially enclose the roof, creating indoor bar and entertainment space on a third floor, including a DJ booth, small stage, pinball machines and billiard tables.

A rendering of the third floor addition

A separate outdoor lounge area would also run along the south edge of the new roof space. Earlier this week, the ANC 1B Zoning, Preservation and Development Committee voted to recommend that the full commission approve the plans at their June 1st meeting.

In ruling on Black Cat’s 2006 application to create a roof deck with a liquor license, the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) voted to approve a roof deck while the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration ruled that the establishment could not serve liquor outdoors. The venue also applied to add a third floor with a bar in 2013, although those plans were put on hold.

This time around, the plans will go forward to seek approval from the BZA and Historic Preservation Office. There will also be some work to restore the historic facade of the building. Gronning Architects is the designer of the new plans.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/3rd_time_the_charm_to_bring_a_3rd_floor_to_the_black_cat/12580