Comments on: City Center Lost Potential?

By: DC Metrocentric » CityCenter’s Plaza

DC Metrocentric » CityCenter’s Plaza — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:35:34 +0000

[…] month we went on a little rant about the potential of the City Center project on the empty 10 acre site in heart of downtown DC. Things were not […]

By: Buff&Blue

Buff&Blue — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:11:24 +0000

This view is of 12th Street, NW, looking north from the intersection with H Street NW.

By: t

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:57:58 +0000

Below is a link to the CCDC brochure; the project is much more animated than the above photo makes it out to be:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/HA/citycenterdc/index.php#/0

By: A-lo

A-lo — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:12:42 +0000

While I agree that we can’t judge the entire project from this one picture, none of the renderings that have been published have shown anything memorable. I’m sure it has a lot of well-thought, intimate details, but overall–as with a lot of other DC projects–this current plans seem to lack any oomph. Wow, cobblestone lanes, I think we have enough of those around here. How about a stunning, modern design that’s bold and says, “This is the new DC, biotch.”

And while we’re at it, I bet the developers have been chasing after all the high-end department stores, but no one is going to bite in this environment. Still, this site is PERFECT for a department store, and downtown DC is screaming for another one. How about getting creative and chasing after a Uniqlo or something?

By: Tom A.

Tom A. — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:28:36 +0000

…………oh sorry, what?

I dozed off while looking at that photo.

By: a

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:33:19 +0000

there is absolutely no reason that what was a city owned gigantic plot, that we have waited so long to have anything done with should be anything less than amazing. this is a shameful.
there should be no unflattering angles.

these boxes are destroying the visual integrity of dc.

By: Justin from ReadysetDC

Justin from ReadysetDC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:30:50 +0000

That is actually a view of the two office buildings. All off the 4 residential buildings have balconies.

The central plaza with retail alleys will be truly great, even if these two office buildings are not…

By: DCDAVE

DCDAVE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:42:55 +0000

Any estimate or best guesses on when this could (finally) break ground?

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:23:53 +0000

I think it is pretty difficult to pass judgement on a seven building development with one view of the condo buildings. Having seen all the plans there is an interior courtyard between the four residential buildings, 10th and I Streets are being added back to the grid, there are pedestrian alleyways paved with cobblestone that cut through mid-block, all the loading and parking is underground so that retail lines all streets and alley ways, 20% of the housing is affordable and there is a bow tie park at NY Ave and 11th. The problem right now is financing. This is an $800 million project (not counting the 400 unit hotel room) and it is stalled in the credit markets.

To answer the last question, there is not a department store as of the last merchandising plan. The retail has a local / unique requirement though. 35% of all the retail has to have less than 6 other locations nationwide so there will be plenty of opportunities for local business. I think the largest space is in the 20 to 25k range.

By: Buff&Blue

Buff&Blue — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:41:25 +0000

Isn’t there space programmed in the development to accommodate a new department store?

By: tsarchitect

tsarchitect — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:28:40 +0000

Even compared to the glass boxes in the earlier renditions, this is disappointing. I thought there was going to be masonry on the perimeter, with glazed alleys. That would have been great.

Glass technologies have improved though, and the quality of design is much better than it was even a decade ago. I don’t think it’s safe to completely dismiss some of the newer projects in DC like Lafayette Tower.

By: FourthandEye

FourthandEye — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:06:31 +0000

I think a small plaza planned for the project at 10th and Eye (they are reconnecting the street grid).

I’m going to have to agree that I’m underwhelmed by the plans. Since the project is low on public amenities I hope the retail space is substantial and follows all the best practices. That would mean high ceilings on the ground floor, narrow but deep spaces to allow many uses on one block, etc…

By: JohnDC

JohnDC — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:38 +0000

This is the view along H St which already exists. The buildings to the left are there now. What this render doesn’t show is the interior of City Center, this is just the south border of the development. They’re not going to take away the existing street.

So there is still hope that within the development there will be a open space.

By: JNo

JNo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:43:29 +0000

I thought there was going to be some kind of courtyard? Seems to be hidden though. This project is a disappointment. It might have been fine for a regular office building but this was supposed to a special development, no? It is just another glass box to me. Typical DC mediocrity.

By: wd

wd — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:10:22 +0000

Agreed. Definitely would be better with a some civicness… library, plaza, park, shopping, etc… This property could be a cornerstone of the city.