A 400-Unit Agricultural Village Is Pitched Along I-270

• November 7th

by UrbanTurf Staff

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A residential project is taking shape in Germantown that looks to the area’s agrarian past for inspiration.

Dream Finders Homes has filed plans with Montgomery County for a new 407-unit development --  93 townhouses, 268 stacked two-over-two and biplexes, and 46 multifamily homes — that will be part of the Poplar Grove development along I-270 (map).

The development is being positioned as a tribute to the agricultural roots of the area, specifically early settler Zachariah Waters, who farmed the land in what became Germantown. The design strategy for the project emphasizes that open green space and agriculture-inspired elements will be within a five-minute walk of each home. A prominent entry point at the intersection of Century Boulevard and Kinster Drive will be marked by a windmill sculpture, and a half acre central lawn is intended for community gathering and recreation.

Additional amenities take the agrarian-vibe further. The main entry sight line leads to a second open lawn featuring public art. A community garden area will have garden plots, an orchard, and berry trees to allow residents to engage in harvesting and gardening. A looping fitness trail winds around the community, providing a mile-long recreational loop. On the architecture side, the homes are designed to invoke farmhouse forms and materials, but with a modern twist. 

Florida-based Dream Finder Homes acquired a portion of the Poplar Grove site from Symmetry LLC earlier this year, the Washington Business Journal reported in May. The plans for the new development will go before the Montgomery County Development Review Committee later this month. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/a_400_unit_agricultural_village_is_pitched_along_i-270/24049.