One Capitol Gateway
12 11 2008Sitting at the end of the Metro Green line in PG county Maryland sits one of the most underdeveloped metro sites in our region. The Branch Avenue station is surrounded by parking, huge empty lots and a few housing developments. However in the future of one such lot is the One Capitol Gateway.
The Shalom Baranes Associates design includes three ascending towers designed to GSA security standards, surrounding and interesting elliptically shaped atrium and terrace. The almost 1.2 million square foot facility would help bring a huge number of people to the currently under served area. It is incredible so much of the space surrounding this station still remains empty lots.
The most amazing part is that geographically speaking, the area is actually closer to downtown DC than Bethesda and the majority of the Orange line going into Virginia, yet remains completely devoid of development. A slick looking building like this might help change that. What do you think?
That is one awesome rendering. It reminds me of what the ATF building could have looked like.
Unfortunately Branch Ave’s underdevelopment is entirely typical. There is a lot of land at other stations too, such as Greenbelt, that has good road access and good Metro access and yet is surrounded with nothing but parking.
JNo: Nice call, the ATF building could have been closer to this ideal. Even woth setback standards.
Prince George’s has great development opportunities with all of it’s Metro Stations.
I do think the buildings are attractive, but why repeat all the usual suburban mistakes (the grassy periphery, too small and exposed for community use, but large enough to prevent pedestrian access.
Why not develop a usable, human-scale streetscape? It can be made secure, cf all the federal installations that are in DC proper.
How about putting some space for a few cafes in front? If the area is ever going to become a walkable neighborhood, this building will turn into a big obstacle, taking up a whole block of street frontage with just a berm and some security barriers. I know GSA wants huge fortifications, but can’t it put the fortifications behind something that can activate the street, at least in the future if not now?
There are going to be a lot of people living in this area. Please consider retail for everyone, not just the people who will be working there. In addition, your contribution to having a gym or recreation area for the youth who live in this area will be appreciated. At this time there are few venues for our youth to spend their time. Great design-we welcome you if you share in our community and not isolate yourself.