ARCH's V Street Project

ARCH has been approved by DC Zoning to develop for-sale artist housing near the corner of V and Fendall Streets. The new project, which will be developed using green building techniques (not sure which), will provide 8 units of one-to-two bedroom condos as well as four artist work spaces. Construction is expected to start this fall.

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After:

designed by inscape studio

From DC MUD:

...the firm is finishing up their plan for V Street, which requires the demolition of the existing building, and will replace it with a three story, 8-unit, artist-housing condo. Its one and two bedroom units will range from 550 -1200 s.f., and the first five lucky buyers will get free access to each of the five work spaces located on the first floor for two years, as an added incentive implemented by ARCH in the hopes of selling the building as quickly as possible. Prices range from approximately $165,000 to $210,000 - four of the units will be affordable for households earning approximately 60% AMI, while the other four units will be sold at market rate. ARCH is currently finishing up permit drawings for the condo and plan on breaking ground in October 2008, setting up for a grand opening in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Duane Gautier, President of ARCH, gave input as to how his firm has a special advantage in neighborhood revitalization. "We believe that arts and culture can be one of the strategies that can revitalize the Anacostia neighborhood. What we're trying to do is develop a critical mass of arts and culture activities both commercial and residential, which should help to generate further development in the neighborhood. And that's what we want to see: more private sector involvement."

In case you were wondering, the reason it doesn't have to follow the Historic District guidelines is that is it just outside the boundary.

Arch also has a few more similar projects in the works, to be profiled soon.