The Galaxy: Inspired By a Celestial Mural

• February 9th 2012

by Shilpi Paul

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UrbanTurf recently got a look inside The Galaxy, a newly constructed Silver Spring mid-rise rental building named after the solar system mural that runs along side it.

Before the new five-story project at 8025 13th Street (map) was completed, local artist Martha Jackson-Jarvis created Moon Dancing, a massive celestial mosaic with planets and “galaxies” along one of the building’s exterior walls. The developers not only took inspiration from the mural for the name of the new rental project, but also for new condos that they are building next door, which will be called The Orion.

Developed by RST Development in a public-private partnership with Montgomery County, The Galaxy is a 195-unit project that will have its official grand opening on Saturday, February 18th. The project’s 82 affordable units have all been rented, and the remaining market-rate units are now being leased. One bedrooms start at $1,650 a month and the largest units — two bedroom plus dens — average around $2,880/month.

The building’s interior has a fairly contemporary feel, and there are several common areas, including a cyber cafe, club room, lobby, and a large fitness center. Several units open to an inner courtyard and eventually there will be a plaza where, fittingly, several art installations will be on display.

Part of the public funding for the project went into a 386-car parking lot adjacent to the building, with 208 spaces reserved for residents and the rest for the public and car share parking. Free from 7pm until 7am, the developers are hoping that it will have appeal for residents who want to entertain friends and the county is hoping it will attract visitors to downtown Silver Spring.

For more information on The Galaxy, click here.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the_galaxy_an_apartment_inspired_by_a_mural/5096.