28-Unit Condo Project at Georgetown Gas Station Moving Forward

• February 25, 2014
• 7 Comments

by Lark Turner

Georgetown Exxon Station. By BoopBoopBoopBoop

Plans to build condos on the site of a Georgetown gas station are again moving forward, albeit slowly.

Developer EastBanc has long been planning a residential project on the site of the Key Bridge Exxon station at 3607 M Street NW (map). The latest proposal calls for between 26 and 28 units, and the project, called “Georgetown Hillside” in its submission to the Old Georgetown Board, will go before the board and the neighborhood ANC in March.

Rendering for Georgetown Hillside

According to EastBanc’s Matthew Harris, the condos will be reviewed by both those organizations and the U.S. Commission for Fine Arts “before going through the other approvals such as zoning and building permits,” as is typical for projects in the Georgetown historic district. The district is governed by the Old Georgetown Act, which requires builders to go through a complex process to win approval for a design.

In 2011, it was announced that a 35-37 unit, five-story development was in the works for the site adjacent to the stairs that were made famous in the movie The Exorcist. However, the Old Georgetown Board rejected a number of the design proposals for the project, and the new development was also hampered by neighbors above it, who claimed that it would affect their views of the Potomac.

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This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/project_to_turn_site_of_georgetown_gas_station_into_condos_moves_forward/8162

7 Comments

1. David said at 5:59 pm on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
   I am a fan of the design, but imagine I would've liked earlier versions a little better. Too bad the developers likely had to change it due to the OGB and neighbor complaints.

1. Nathaniel Martin said at 9:08 pm on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
   It looks like an elegant design, but I, too, wonder what the earlier designs looked like. I am SO sorry that the wealthy neighbors above are upset because their view of a hideous gas station will disappear. Pity. It's also a pity that this news item doesn't mention the name of the architect. How can you omit such a vital piece of information?

1. Alex said at 9:22 pm on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
   I am a fan of the design as well= looks to fit in well with some of the newer developments near the Georgetown waterfront on K street too. As for the earlier version, I also thought it would've been a better product without the OGB and neighbors, but judging off this older article (http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2011/02/25/eastbanc-plans-two-new-georgetown.html) I actually prefer the newer project by a large margin. Excited to see this one get under way! Lets Hope the OGB isn't harsh on them.

1. Alex said at 9:24 pm on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
   @Nathaniel Martin I also thought it was a shame the architects weren't mentioned. The above article states Handel Architects, but that was in 2011. I wonder if they are still the architects on board.

1. Alex said at 9:29 pm on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
   Another article that may be of help in the future: http://georgetown.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/three-lanier-projects-have-their-day-before-design-board

1. Robert moore said at 2:43 am on Wednesday February 26, 2014:
   The original architects Handel Architects are still the designers. They were the architects in addition on the 3303 Water Street project along with Frank Schlesinger and before that , the Georgetown Ritz Hotel /AMC Theater complex. I too favor this design over the previous one because this proportionately represents the massing as a horizontal scheme floating on a plinth. Chances are the modern metallic appearance my be modified to a brick and stone image furthering the concept of contextuality. I'm in favor of this modern scheme however also.

1. Paul DonVito said at 7:06 pm on Thursday June 12, 2014:
   Well I don't love the current design - but it is hugely better than the suburban glass box shown in the Washington Business Journal article. On top of that, the original design for 1045 Wisconsin Ave is completely out of character - but what is under construction now, with its 1920s industrial look, is fantastic. Way to go, Old Georgetown Board - we are lucky to have you!