Champlain Street Condos
1 07 2008Developer Adams Investments asked STUDIOS Architects to design a new residential structure that would reflect the unique community energy and spirit of Washington DC’s Adams Morgan district, but we don’t think they exactly got it right with this one. This 32 unit residential building with a street-facing courtyard doesn’t really look like it would fit into the neighborhood… what do you guys think?
I hate renderings that don’t look anything like the final product. That said, this design doesn’t look like it’ll fit in well and it’s doesn’t look to be the most pedestrian friendly, but if this is the only type of development like this in Adams Morgan, than maybe it won’t be so bad. It is unique and doesn’t look like a bad place to live.
If they meant this to be a courtyard it isn’t.
From wikipedia:
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky.
This is a few patches of grass along side what looks like a driveway or a very big sidewalk. It’s supposed to be an oasis, not a huge opening to the street.
and what is with those moat like trenches, I can’t imagine anyone would want to live in those subterranean units.
My SIMS will love living here.
An entrance court, such as the one here, or the ones modeled on Ancien Regime French urban houses can actually be a good way of introducing both street-side storefronts and also create a sense of privacy for the condo. Unfortunately, they lost this opportunity here, as far as I can tell, so the court is not quite functional and the front façades are a little dead.
The Bottom units might make great restaurants or clubs.
This rendering is either early, or they’re not giving their a-game. Their website is more impressive. Adams Morgan is pretty diverse aesthetically. It could work well, as long as this is more of an addition than a replacement.
Is yuppie modern really the “unique community energy and spirit” of Adams Morgan?
I think the courtyard is pretty unfortunate. It doesn’t engage the street at all and sends a clear signal that it’s private space. What street is this supposed to face?
I actually like this, FWIW. It’s fairly unique and visually interesting. Now I just wish I could afford to live in places like that.
I gotta say, I kind of like it. It’s funky and different.
I like it but think it would fit better near Rock Creek park or somewhere a little more wooded. It looks nothing like Adams Morgan arhitecture, more like California modern.
While Adams Investments has had nothing but success in recent years, that Washington Post article last Friday blatantly stating that Adams Morgan was going to have the highest rate of foreclosures in the city was nothing short of devastating for the area. How can Adams Investment consider continuing when they will be competing against foreclosure priced units in all directions, including what some would expect to be some of their own units in prior developments?
On a brighter note, this looks like a beautiful development and Adams does immaculate work.
it isn’t really supposed to be a courtyard. It is a more like an enclosed alley. The other renderings on the STUDIO site show it in a better light.
That comment from BuildingDC sure sounds like a shill!
Are Adams Investments PR people posting in the comments?
I think it looks fresh and in keeping with the other warehouse style condos along champlain street. The light colored timber and use of curtain walls make it seem much less severe than some of the neighboring buildings. It has a very light and airy feel about it that will be brought out even more once the landscaping goes in. Also, I rather like the subterranean patios. You can dress them up with plants and make good use of them as a patio/garden area. From the inside, such a patio provides a lot of light and the sense of a very private oasis in the middle of the city. The only problem I have with them is that trespassers could jump down on to them fairly easily.
BuildingDC,
I may have missed it, but what Washington Post article stated that Adams Morgan was “going to have the highest rate of foreclosures in the city”? Care to provide a link?
From everything I’ve seen and read, the District’s foreclosure rate, while still somewhat disconcerting, is way below that of most other areas in the region—namely Prince William and Loudoun counties in Virginia and Prince George’s County in Maryland—not to mention that of most other states.
“Adams Morgan was singled out as a possible foreclosure hotspot in a 168-page study on subprime mortgage loans in D.C. that was released on Monday by the city’s Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking”
http://www.nbc4.com/news/16747382/detail.html
a little birdy tells me that this project is on hold, and has been on hold for quite some time, well before this ‘foreclosure crisis’ started sweeping the nation.
those of you who like it, fingers crossed it picks up again. those of you who don’t, breathe easy for now. it won’t be in your backyard yet.