Annabelle Selldorf-Designed 14th Street Development Receives Historic Approval

• June 3rd 2016

by Nena Perry-Brown

The Annabelle Selldorf-designed redevelopment of the Whitman-Walker clinic in Logan Circle received a key approval on Thursday as the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) granted unanimous approval to the proposed concept.

The development, a partnership between Whitman-Walker Health and Fivesquares Development, will incorporate the former Elizabeth Taylor clinic and the Belmont Garage, respectively at 1701 and 1711 14th Street NW (map). The plans include four floors of 80-90 apartments above office and retail space. Whitman-Walker will continue to operate out of the new development, with some space on the first floor and offices taking up the entire second floor.

The redevelopment will necessitate restoration of the facades of both 1701 and 1711 14th Street, with a partial demolition of 1711 and a complete demolition of 1707 14th Street.

While the ANC 2F had some reservations about the proposed concept, massing and design, they ultimately sent a letter of support to HPRB, as did the Office of Planning (OP). The HPRB’s vote on Thursday accepts the OP’s staff report that the concept conforms to the 14th Street Historic District and will delegate any further approvals to OP. Their motion also added to the record their comments on the building’s design as it relates to its neighbors in the historic district regarding such elements as facade elevations and roof lines.

HPRB member Joseph Taylor suggested that the development team seek to restore the terra cotta roof of 1701 14th Street entirely rather than removing any of it to make way for the new building, allowing it and its overhanging eaves to “breathe” — a note with which Annabelle Selldorf agreed. However, all of the board members seemed encouraged by the project as presented.

In light of this approval, the development team shared that construction could start next year, with anticipated delivery in 2020.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/hprb_grants_unanimous_approval_to_whitman-walker_redevelopment_concept/11308.