EastBanc 1, Old Georgetown Board 2

Developer EastBanc, Inc. was back for more Thursday at the Old Georgetown Board (OGB) meeting; of the three projects presented, only one walked away a winner. With comments from board members describing designs as having "Marriott appearance" and being "too clever," EastBanc and its architects have some work ahead of them.

Exxon Site/3601-3607 M St.

Though neighbors living above the proposed large residential building on the site of the Exxon gas station at the very edge of M Street object to the height of the building, 50 feet, the OGB took greater concern with the way to the design relates to pedestrians on M Street.

Gary Handel of NY-based Handel Architects was again hoping for massing approval, but was told the OGB gives either total approval or none at all. "I think  you'll probably be back," said Stephen Vanze prior to formal comments from the board members.

The primary issues echoed by all board members were the way the design relates (or in this case fails to relate) to the street and pedestrians, the length of the window bays on the front of the building and the way the design relates to the historic stone wall in the rear of the property.

Board member Davis Cox could not attend the meeting in person, but in his written remarks he said, "I think on the whole it is quite nice... it responds well to the urban context." But, it is "unwelcoming to those on foot."

Vanze said that the tenants seem to "go down into these little holes" to access the building and that it creates an "English Basement" feel at the entrance. Lewis agreed, "each entry has to announce itself...[and be] pleasant, inviting." Lewis suggested a "programming change" such as ground floor retail.

On the glass window bays that run the length of the building's front facade, Vanze suggested to have them "not go all the way to top, maybe drop off at the fourth floor." The goal would be to have "a masonry backdrop to the bays and be able to see the masonry continue at top." Lewis agreed saying she believes the bays are "giving it the quote Marriot appearance."

For Lewis, though, the historic wall is "the most important aspect of the design... it's the only truly historic element." She suggested that the area "read as a more public space...as almost a park like setting."

Both Lewis and Vanze, also felt that the roof was too active. They would prefer no pool at all, but if it must stay, that it should be much small.

Neighbors in attendance requested that the height be capped at 40 feet. Both Vanze and Lewis said they did not believe it needed to be much lower, but that some accommodations could be made.

Vanze suggested using different elevators or maybe creating duplexes for the top units to absorb the elevator equipment. Lewis suggested reducing the height slightly to "align with the upper terrace of the Arthur Cotton Moore" building to the west.

In the end, Lewis said the architect was "making progress," but the design "has a way to go.”

1045 Wisconsin Ave.

Though the proposal for a residential development at faced no opposition at the most recent Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meeting, the OGB board and staff were less than pleased with the overall design. The architect for the project is Hany Hassan of the firm Beyer Blinder Belle.

The site is currently a parking lot adjacent to , the and the Verizon building.

In Cox's written remarks he said the architect's design was "too styled...too clever." Cox said he wished all uses on the rooftop could be "deleted." The north facade as designed is "too looming and menacing" and the south facade is now "full of random meaningless tweaks," he explained.

Board members Anne Lewis and Stephen Vanze did not have much kinder words. Vanze said he agreed with Cox's comments and felt that the design needed to be further "simplified and organized in a strong horizontal way."

Lewis objected to the material uses, saying the five stories of stone along the canal is just "too much stone". She questions other choices the architect made, such as using different window sizes, "there doesn’t seem to be a planned reason to do that," Lewis opined.

Hassan and EastBanc have to go back to the drawing board and rework the design before they OGB will be ready to let it pass to the next level of review.

Post Office

EastBanc's Post Office development . Since then the architect has to meet the needs of neighbors and to address design concerns from the OGB. At Thursday's hearing, the architect agreed to reduce the height of the residential project by yet another two feet and was given the green light assuming he did so.

In a written statement board member David Cox commented on the design, "the project is now returned to its former elegance and simplicity" and it "affords historic details to be appreciated."