A Theater, Live-Work Units and Retail Proposed For Florida and Q

• October 10, 2014
• 8 Comments

by UrbanTurf Staff

Another proposal has been laid out for a coveted seven-lot site at Florida Avenue and Q Streets NW that the city put out for bid this past summer.

Evergreen Urban recently outlined plans to UrbanTurf for a mixed-use project with retail, residential units (that would include live-work spaces for artists) as well as a theater. Forum Theater, which currently operates out of Silver Spring, has signed on to come to the space if the developer’s proposal is chosen by the city.

Evergreen Urban’s Eric Jenkins said that the proposal includes retail space that could house a restaurant and that Paul Ruppert, whose projects include The Passenger, Room 11 and Upshur Street Books, has expressed interest in the site.

As for the residential component, Jenkins told UrbanTurf that there will be 30-35 market-rate units, including twelve live-work spaces for artists. A portion of the housing will be affordable.

“The residences will not be separate boxes — everything will be integrated,” Jenkins said. “The expectation is that the resident artists can exhibit their work throughout the building, and that there will be a strong sense of community.”

Evergreen is not the only developer with plans for the sites at 4-14 Q Street and 14-16 Florida Avenue (map). Developer Maedwell proposed 40 apartments or condos and 7,000 square feet of retail.

Proposals are due this month and the Department of Housing and Community Development will make a choice on the developer soon after that.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/theater_residential_units_and_restaurant_proposed_for_florida_and_q/9069

8 Comments

1. Bryan said at 7:15 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   A much better design than that of Maedwell. And the theater is an exciting addition to the neighborhood.

1. JohnDC said at 7:43 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   This is pretty exciting. I was lukewarm to the other proposals but this one would be pretty awesome

1. Amanda Abrams said at 7:58 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   There is definitely a 3rd proposal, by Mi Casa, and supposedly a 4th as well.

1. Nathaniel Martin said at 8:36 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   And who were the architects, please???? The design looks pretty nice. I'd like to know who did it!

1. editor2014@urbanturf.com said at 9:13 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   Nathaniel, We believe the design firm is McKissack & McKissack, but are confirming with the developer. The Editors

1. skidrowedc@gmail.com said at 10:25 pm on Friday October 10, 2014:
   The architecture is a bit severe for my taste, given the location and given that this would be the largest building in its immediate area. The wall along the alley--so soothingly minimalist in the rendering--practically screams "graffiti"! That said, if done with superior materials and detailing, and with such a roster of interesting, life-creating users, it could be a home run in a location where we'd be thrilled to get a double.

1. JohnDC said at 7:44 pm on Saturday October 11, 2014:
   How did the city take ownership of this land? It was owned by the private owner who owns a lot of the gas stations in the area

1. KW said at 12:58 pm on Monday October 13, 2014:
   Traffic at that intersection is busy. I don't see any indication of drop-off lanes, parking, or areas for truck loading and unloading.