Update on Equity’s 162-Unit Mount Vernon Square Development

• November 10, 2011

by Shilpi Paul

443 I Street NW

At last night’s ANC 6C meeting, a few more details were revealed about Equity Residential’s plans to turn the site of Gold Leaf Studios and BicycleSPACE into a large residential and retail complex.

The $57 million development, which will occupy the buildings that sit at 443-459 I Street NW (map) will include 162 rental units, 2,800 square feet of retail and underground parking.

Equity has been back and forthing with the ANC and Historic Preservation Review Board for a few months regarding the four-building complex. The developers need the ANC to approve some exceptions due to the idiosyncrasies of the buildings; the height will spiral upwards, breaking the uniform height clause, and the interior courtyards will be a bit smaller than current size requirements.

As reported by the City Paper this summer, the current subletters of the buildings, mostly artists and musicians who use the beat-up loft space to work and play, have to move out by January 31st. If Equity Residential’s plans get approval at a hearing on December 13th, Mount Vernon Square will be losing a few bright young things.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/update_on_equitys_162_unit_mount_vernon_square_development/4551