Skyland Town Center Update

This is why I love Torti Gallas, the architecture firm behind this project, as well as places like Kenyon Square in Columbia Heights, the Ellington on U Street, the Shirlingon extension, and Bethesda Row. They get it.


looking north on Main Street


looking south on Main Street


looking north on Main, from a different spot


looking east from Good Hope Road

Sure, it took a lot of prodding at multiple community meetings, but what we have here is, for the most part, exactly the kind of design that people really enjoy living in and around. Why is it that so many developers, in their effort to stand out, forget that human-scaled architecture with personality expressed through thoughtful detailing is what the average consumer craves?

You might say: "these designs look dated, everyday, too normal." (and admittedly, some of the buildings could probably still use a little spicing up) I'm all for daring design, and definitely think that it has its place ...but if a certain design style or aesthetic comfortability remains successful over the years, and people continue to invest themselves in it, something's being done right.

images courtesy of the Skyland website

New Skyland Images

Here are some new elevations from the Skyland Town Center website.

Looking good for the most part, although I wish there could be more variation in the building heights! And developers: please make use of the roofs facing Naylor Road. These buildings will have spectacular views of the rest of the city.

Click to Enlarge






To download the PDF of these elevations, Click Here

Skyland Town Center Website

Although there have been a few bumps in the road, the Skyland Town Center project just up Good Hope from Anacostia is still on track.

Check out their New Website!

Latest site plan and renderings (renderings are clearly only evocative of the general look and feel of the development - Yep, it looks amazing):

click to enlarge






Click Here for Skyland Fact Sheet (PDF)

images courtesy of The Rappaport Companies
graphic by DG-rad

Skyland Meeting Tonight

When:

Tonight, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 from 6:15-8:00pm

Where:

Hillcrest Recreation Center (click for map)

What:

Tonight's meeting should be pretty exciting, as I assume they will be revealing the latest design plans made after our last meeting full of suggestions. If you can make it, I strongly recommend going. Skyland is going to significantly change the perception of communities east of the river, and now is the time to say what needs to be said to make it awesome.

Click to Enlarge:



PS - Did you VOTE today?

Skyland Meeting Recap 9-12-07

For those of you who were unable to make it to the latest meeting on Skyland Town Center, the meeting held this past Wednesday focused on the architectural and urban design of the project. Further refinements had been made by Torti Gallas, giving Skyland more of an organically grown look and feel. Included is more façade articulation, less straight lines, and a a bigger emphasis on greening the roofs of the interior parking garages.

Check out the latest plans: Click to enlarge





At the meeting, Gary Rappaport and members of the Torti Gallas design team asked the audience what we wanted Skyland to look like architecturally: modern? Traditional?

Interestingly, most people agreed (what? at a public meeting?!) that we wanted something that was built solidly-- with brick, stone, and cast cement-- rather than with materials like vinyl and stucco which aren't as lasting. We want a design that is unique to Skyland, but that respects the past and is influenced by the architecture and streetscape of places such as Barracks Row, Shirlington, Annapolis, and Bethesda Row. Eclectic, yet elegant!

This development incredibly exciting, and all involved seem totally dedicated to getting it done as quickly as humanly possible.

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Also, just before the meeting I was able to make it over to the Farmers' Market for the Chili Bowl Bonanza. I had to leave before the winner was announced- does anyone know who won 1st prize?

Skyland Meeting Tonight

...hope to see all of you there!

Click Image to Enlarge:


flyer courtesy of Hillcrest Community Civic Association

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Also, don't forget that tonight is the Chili Bowl Bonanza at the Anacostia Farmers' Market! 5-6:30pm at Peace Park on 14th between U and V Streets.

Skyland Meeting Recap 8-15-07

Last Wednesday's meeting about Skyland Town Center was the usual mix: there were some that were against any change at all, and there were others that were eager to see the wrecking ball and a complete re-do of everything that is Skyland. It was really great to meet some of you all there-- let's keep that up!


NEW site plan by Torti Gallas, courtesy of The Rappaport Companies

The most exciting element of the meeting was the unveiling of the revised site plan (above) by Torti Gallas, a town planning and architecture company best known around here for projects like Kenyon Square and Highland Park in Columbia Heights, The Ellington on U Street, Arlington East at Bethesda Row, and the recent Shirlington addition. They are the perfect addition to the Skyland team because they are experts at urban infill with a lasting aesthetic, and at designing spaces where people love to congregate. It will, however, be critical for the buildings to a have a diversity of design (like at the previously mentioned projects or at Rockville Town Square), rather than the sterility often achieved by it all looking the same-- my criticism of some large projects of similar scale such as City Vista in Mt. Vernon Triangle.


OLD site plan by Leo A. Daly

More highlights of the new site plan:

- the new site plan draws the development together, disbursing the parking garages around the site rather than in one unsightly location. (see above OLD site plan)

- better connection with adjacent neighborhood through use of townhomes or low-density multifamily along the Eastern periphery

- natural grade throughout project

- parking above large format retail building

- commitment to design excellence (we'll hold them to that)

If all goes according to plan, we should be able to live/shop/play/work here in March 2011.

header graphic and minor additions to site plan graphic by DG-rad

Public Meeting: Skyland Town Center

When:

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 (Tomorrow!) from 6:00-9:30pm

Where:

Hillcrest Recreation Center (click for map)

What:

Focused discussion on:
- Project Timeline
- Refinements to Masterplan by new architects
- Key Elements of Housing Component
- Affirmation of Retail Mix

Sponsored by the Skyland Development Team in consultation with Council Members Yvette Alexander, Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, and Vincent Gray

Click Here for Formal Announcement

Also, here is a link to Skyland Development Team's answers to some of ANC7B's questions regarding the new development. From the looks of it, this will be a very conscienscious development, taking into account urban sustainability, pedestrian-friendly design, and local business support.