HPRB Approves 300-Unit Capitol Park Tower Addition in Southwest

• February 23, 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

Aerial rendering of planned Capitol Park Towers addition.

In late January, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) approved construction of an additional residential building at Capitol Park Towers in Southwest DC. The historic Capitol Park building at 301 G Street SW (map) is a nine-story, mid-century Modernist tower containing 289 apartments. The architecture and materials of the building and the style of the landscaping set a high bar for owners Perseus Realty and Urban Investment Partners (UIP), but after several rounds of revisions, the HPRB gave the green light for construction of a second residential building that will bring an additional 300-330 units to the location.

Rendering of the planned building as seen from G Street SW.

In order to secure approval and ensure the building’s cohesion with the original tower and landscaping, the development team made several changes recommended by HPRB. One change involved the new building’s facade being reconfigured to appear more consistent with the existing building. There will now be seven arched canopies anchoring the base of the building, framed by six glass panels. Rather than having an enclosed corridor between the old and new buildings, the pathway will be opened up to reference other pergola-covered walks found in the Capitol Park neighborhood.

The planned pool and pool enclosure has been re-oriented in order “to improve this area’s spatial qualities”, and the new tower’s penthouse has been reduced in size and centered on the roof. Also, the team simplified the G Street-fronted landscaping and more precisely replicated the plant and tree species used by Dan Kiley when the original building went up in 1962.

The development team, which also includes WDG Architects and Lee and Associates, plans to start construction this fall.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/hprb_gives_the_green_light_to_capitol_park_tower_addition/10904