Historic Takoma Development Could Include Up to 140 Residences

• November 22nd 2019

by Nena Perry-Brown

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More than a year since the community first heard about a large residential project steps from the Takoma Metro, preliminary plans are being revealed.

Last night, architect Sassan Gharai shared an early concept for the development which would unite the sites at 300-308 Carroll Street NW (map) and 325 Vine Street NW (map) in the Takoma Park Historic District.

Early drawings suggest upwards of 140 apartments (exact unit count still being determined) in a five-story volume with a 12-foot habitable penthouse fronting Vine Street. The drawings also suggest that the apartments will include junior one-bedroom units to three-bedroom units, ranging in size from 432 to 1,279 square feet. There would be below-grade parking and bicycle spaces.

For the project, the three-foot bays would be shaved off the historic single-story retail storefronts from 304-308 Carroll Street, and a trio of matching retail would be appended to the Seeker's Church at 276 Carroll Street NW (map). There would be green roof space atop both retail blocks, and Spicy Delight, the restaurant on site, is expected to remain. The house-apartments above the retail on Carroll Street would be razed, while the hostel house next door will be restored, reintroducing the historic porch and creating alternative residential use (Gharai mentioned veteran housing or shared amenities as a possibility).

Gharai emphasized that these plans are still in the very early stages, describing his current review with the Historic Preservation Office as seeking "pre-concept approval". The plans are expected to be presented at the November ANC 4B meeting, and Gharai also hopes to appear before the Historic Preservation Review Board next month.

The backside of the proposed development would be right next to the recently-proposed 30-unit project at 225 Vine Street NW. On the Carroll Street side, the proposed development is diagonal from the 7-11 which will soon be razed to make way for 37 condos.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/historic-takoma-development-could-include-up-to-140-residences/16178.