The Evolving Design of the New DC United Stadium

• August 25, 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

New look for the DC United Stadium’s northeast entry gate

DC United, charged with opening its not-yet-constructed stadium in time for the start of the 2018 Major League Soccer season, recently filed revised design plans with the Zoning Commission (ZC). The original proposal, designed by Populous and Marshall Moya Design, was reviewed and rejected this past spring.

Original look for the northeast entry gate

In light of commissioners’ desire to see something more welcoming at the nine-acre Buzzard Point site, located between R and T Streets and Half and 2nd Streets SW to the south (map) the new plans feature a less-imposing version of the stadium, as well as plans for the adjacent Parcel B site.

Below is a selection of side-by-side images comparing the old design with the new.

Original look for the First Street staff entrance and entry gate

New look for the First Street staff entrance and entry gate

While the original plans had the stadium situated so that First Street dead-ended into the Potomac Avenue and R Street intersection to create a pedestrian-only concourse, the new design creates a new street to compensate for this, connecting off Potomac Avenue between First and Half Streets to run parallel to the stadium and flow back into First Street south of the site.

Original look for vantage point from First Street facing southward

New look for vantage point from First Street facing southward

Original aerial view of the northeast entry gate, prior to proposal for Parcel B

New aerial view of the northeast entry gate, prior to construction on Parcel B

New aerial view of the northeast entry gate after completion of proposed Parcel B development

The new filing provides a rendering of the plans for Parcel B which could be a mixed-use building with hotel, office and event space above ground floors of retail or restaurants.

As for the overall design of the stadium, the general concepts remain the same, but the combination of massing and materiality is much less heavy and severe. The ZC will review the new design at its hearing in early November.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/how_the_dc_united_plans_have_evolved/11599