The new urban community at Chevy Chase Lake is taking advanced shape along Connecticut Avenue at the future Purple Lane station. Ground was recently broken across the street on the Crescent at Chevy Chase development. But on this side of Connecticut, three new buildings are in the later stages of completion: The Ritz Carlton Residences Chevy Chase condos, and The Barrett and The Claude rental apartments.
Architecture so far is delivering on the promise of the impressive renderings, with unique rooflines that contrast with most of the new buildings being delivered in Montgomery County these days. Traditional lines are now passing for avant-garde in a world of cookie-cutter 21st-century developments. Future residents are already touring the Ritz Carlton. The Barrett is now leasing with January move-ins expected, and The Claude will greet its first residents in 2023.
I believe architecture should reflect the time that it is built, and not try to ape the past and create brand new “ye old” traditional architecture. Existing historic architecture should be cherished, restored as required and preserved, but new architecture should not pretend to be old.
ReplyDeleteIn fact when you expand a historic buildings, the National Trust for Historic Preservation specifically requires that new additions need to look different that the original building, and not match the historic architecture. The addition should respect the scale, texture and massing of the original, but not attempt to blur the line between old and new.
Of course Chevy Chase Lake is a brand new development, but in my humble opinion, it is quite wrong and ingenious to make it look old. Yes, I know that Chevy Chase has lots of traditional architecture, but the design of this new development would be better if it responded to the sleek mass transit access that enabled its creation, and create a modern transit village.
Everything about this is unappealing. From the bad location to the cookie cutter appearance. Hard pass.
ReplyDeleteHopefully these new residents use the Purple Line instead of getting a car. Can't get carjacked if you don't own a car.
ReplyDeletehttps://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/police-fire/carjackings-in-montgomery-county-on-pace-to-triple-2019-level/
8:27: Generally speaking, I think your viewpoint is correct. We would never have gotten the great art deco or modernist architecture of the 20th century if we had limited designs to the past. But there is value in moving the best of architecture past into the present, which was done to great success in the development of our monuments, memorials and some government buildings in our nation's capital. Even a quick drive down Connecticut or Massachusetts Avenues NW can quickly show how much more imagination and expense was put into creating landmark residential buildings in the old days. Fortunately, there are still some projects that reflect such thinking in the county today, such as 7272 Wisconsin and the Stonehall, one modern and one retro.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line: Boxes are cheaper to build than domes, Dubai/Shanghai/NYC tower shapes, fancy rooflines, etc. which drives many of these decisions today, to be frank. So it's nice to see the Mansard or dome-topped roof here and there at Chevy Chase Lake, which also helps it blend in with the surrounding residential area.
I accidentally deleted a legitimate comment which was criticizing the roof features at Chevy Chase Lake,noting it is not a real Mansard roof, for example. The commenter also praised the Marriott HQ project in comparison. I apologize for the errant deletion.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I drive past this place, I can't understand who would actually want to live there.
ReplyDeleteThat was my comment you deleted, Robert, and no worries. Stuff happens. So you know it was actually me, what I said is that it is a 'decorated shoebox', not any sort of example of historic compliance or compliment. I said I am a licensed architect of 30 years having done historic preservation and additions to historic structures. And I said at least Marriott is honest and interesting. It is not high design, but it is honest. There are many better examples of good modern design in DC and Maryland, but I will take Marriott over a brick shoebox with theater dressing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog, thanks for the apology, but no worries at all.
Have there been any announcements on the retail, restaurants, etc. that plan to open?
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and updates. Would love to get the inside scoop on the grocery store coming.
ReplyDeleteEinstein bagels is probably moving across the street. An employee said they were
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