Here are number three best and worst on their respective lists, Disclaimer.

Developer: Michael, LLC

Architect: SK&I Architects of Bethesda

Property Address: Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Project Specifications:
Gross Floor Area: Approx 435,655 sq\ft
Office Space: Approx 160,000 Sq\ft
Dwelling Units: Approx 230 residential dwelling units including 31 MPDUs
Retail Space: Approx 10,000 sq\ft
Office Height: 90′Feet
Residential Height: 90′Feet
Parking: Approx 1,000 spaces

Just when you thought Silver Spring was filled up to the brim with developments, a project is proposed to redevelop portions of the Fenton Village area. I feared the worst with another sub par project in the same league as the Galaxy with its awkward architecture and lack of retail and offices. To my surprise the new kid on the block didn’t disappoint.

Studio Plaza will bring shops, offices and homes to the neglected Fenton Village area; it is currently in development review. So far this is the biggest chunk of office space proposed in the CBD with a possible 160,000 sq\ft and ground floor retail. 230 residential units with ground floor retail will anchor the south end closest to the old fire station.

The other notable aspect of this project is the architecture. The office building as depicted in the renderings has a professional, mature demeanor, it looks worthy of downtown Washington, D.C. The group responsible for the architecture is SK&I, the same firm that designed the Edgemoor in Bethesda. The residential portion is in neo-traditional form with red brick and picture windows while the ground retail portion is in a neo-classical form. I’m not complaining but maybe in the end we can get a design as good as the Edgemoor. The developer is noted as wanting a classic design that will age gracefully.

I wasn’t sure what the developer was going to provide for the public use space requirement so it was left out of the total tally. Studio Plaza is the reason I don’t believe other developers that say they can’t incorporate retail, office and other uses with good architecture to create a great mixed-use project. This project by Michael, LLC puts larger developer projects like JBG’s Silver Spring Gateway (doesn’t deserve the name) and Foulger Pratt’s private development at the transit center to shame.

Developer: RST Development

Architect: A.R. Meyers & Associates, Inc. of Silver Spring

Property Address: 13th Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Project Specifications:
Gross Floor Area: Approx 497,257 sq\ft
Site: Approx: 2.62 acres
Dwelling Units: 321 residential dwelling units including 41 MPDUs
Height: Several buildings ranging from 45 to 122 feet’ Feet
Stories: Ranging from 8 to 12
Parking Spaces: 679

The Galaxy won’t be the first undertaking by RST Development. With the success of the Gramax Towers Apartments and the Aurora Condominiums the developer decided to pursue their largest development yet on a previously developed site adjacent to the Aurora condos. In anticipation of what I thought would buck the trend in lackluster projects the Galaxy instead ended up being one of the worst. There won’t be any retail or office space with this project but we do get a public parking garage! 679 parking spaces will be divided between the Aurora, Galaxy and public space. It qualified for the optional method of development. The project claims that it has live and work units but they were not mentioned during the planning board meeting, there may be some it’s probably nothing more than a stretch of the truth. The developer has already cleared the site of what used to contain retail and manufacturing facilities ranging from 1 to 4 stories; it now sits as an empty lot.

The public amenity is not one but a series of pocket parks, I have a vivid imagination of this site becoming blighted if it is not well maintained. Unfortunately there is no retail or other uses to keep this place active at all hours in this 100% residential project.

The Galaxy gets high remarks for the building height. This is an urban area after all. They were allowed to increase the building height beyond the maximum 90′ft because it would be compatible with the 129′feet Gramax across the street (although I’ve read 145′feet).

I personally consider the Galaxy to be one of the worst architecturally designed buildings proposed. Renderings show a hybrid between Industrial Chic and Suburban Vernacular, although not incorporating a strong theme from those two architectural styles; it does not decidedly show a strong direction in architecture. It looks like it was put together very quickly. Specifically, too many exterior walls are blank leaving a sense of being an economical structure to the observer, the angled balconies look contrived, additional colors added to the façade as well as recreating the roof instead of having it end abruptly would enhance the structure. Overall the architecture lacks clear focus and identity. This is coming out of the same firm that designed the Silver Spring Metro Center\NOAA buildings. What happened?

The Galaxy was one the quickest projects to move through the planning process, from preliminary and project plans in late July 2005 to site plan approval in early January 2006. The Galaxy was also the second largest project measured by residential units until Cameron House revised its plans to 325 residential units and the Transit Center plans were submitted for 450 residential units. Not to forget the Falkland Chase properties development that has 1,050 units planned. The submittal asks for an 8 year build out.

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