814 Thayer Avenue; Silver Spring Gets A Little Bit Of Deconstructivism
By Silver Springer • Mar 22nd, 2007 • Category: Real Estate
Hidden at the edges of the CBD, a development review sign sits in front of an old office building once home to the National Association of the Deaf. The building was recently purchased by Banneker Ventures, LLC and unique plans are around the corner.
The booming downtown continues to defy the market with another residential project that will join others in transforming the Fenton Village area.
The same architectural firm responsible for the highly controversial, Deconstructivist condominium building at 1525 14th Street in D.C. is bringing their expertise to Silver Spring for Banneker’s project at 814 Thayer Avenue.
Right across from the Silver Spring Towers, Sorg and Associates is continuing a trend in skilled design that has been put forth by some projects recently introduced in Silver Spring.
Harold Collins, principal of Banneker Ventures said it would take about 12-15 months once approval of the site plan and permits are obtained.
Projects Details
Optional Method of Development
FAR: 52,000 sq/ft
52 residential units including 7 MPDUs
Height: 60’ feet
Parking: One underground level, 37 spaces.
Public Use space: 22% paved pocket park at main building entrance.
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While this building may not be gorgeous in the traditional sense of a two dimensionally composed front (facade) it is an ambitious project that will help Silver Spring grow as a place of its own, beyond just being a suburb of DC, and a collection of new chain restaurants and retail. If we don’t encourage conscietious experimentation in architecture, we’ll end up with mediocrity. If ambitiously designed condominium projects sell well, more developers will be encouraged to try something beyond the same-old same-old cheap stuff.
If you go to the architect’s website you can see another rendering of the same building from another corner. It’s actually quite nice looking, but definitely not on par in terms of “out-there-ness” with what’s being built in DC.
I’m thrilled to see a reasonable amount of parking for this urban location, reasonably close to Metro: 37 parking spaces for 52 units, of which 45 are market-rate. For once, non-car-owners will be able to get a new apartment without being forced to pay for an expensive underground parking space that they don’t want.
Let’s track this and make sure that the Planning Board staff doesn’t push for excessive parking.
I think it’s really neat looking. It’s nice to have some buildings come in that aren’t towers.
It looks like an unfinished rubix cube. If they build it like that, I’ll consistently be tempted to want to try and finish it. Those bastards!
It looks cool, but another diagram (not shown here) shows the building set way back from the street — about 26 feet from the front door to the curb. I would prefer to see the building closer to the public sidewalk.
Alright, some forward thinking architecture. Great. I couldn’t agree more with Jamie’s comments. Buildings have such an impact on the psychy of an urban area, we need more ’special’ buildings that evoke reaction whether positive or negative, they help create a sense of place that helps sustain a community’s longevity.
Two major detractions though:
1.) It’s strictly residential.
2.) ANOTHER POCKET PARK! Come on…