523-525 Washington Ave.

Description: New construction of a 4,464 SF two-story, two-family residential building on a vacant lot.

Previous ARC Recommendations & Commission Actions:

04/05/23: Commission voted to grant conceptual approval of the massing with the details to be worked out at ARC level. 

03/14/23: The ARC voted to recommend conceptual approval of the massing, materials and openings with the final details and elevations to return for additional ARC review once further developed. The ARC agreed that:

• The proposal has improved since the previous iteration and the introduction of more contemporary elements and streamlined detailing is successful.

• Façade Option (1) is preferred as the other option with arch-top openings appears too Spanish/Mediterranean in appearance for the rest of the proposed new construction.

• To visually unify the distinct building masses and materials, a base course of stucco should be introduced to the full length of the left and right-side elevations, at a minimum to the height of the windowsills.

• The applicant should consider installing shutters on both left and right-side elevations.

• There is some concern the front building and façade may be too flat, simple, and austere with too little surface relief for the existing historic context. The ARC recommended refining the drawings to include necessary façade elements such as stucco score marks, gutters/downspouts, etc. They also recommended considering additional ways to create more depth and layering at the façade, such as by installing a handrail at the porch or by introducing an awning or roof covering over the porch.

• Updated elevations should be included for the next review including additional plaster details.

02/14/23: The ARC voted to defer this application for additional review. The ARC stated that the site plan and overall height of the design was moving in the right direction and recommended making the roof pitches steeper so the new building is more contextual in the neighborhood. The ARC recommended that the overall design lean more towards contemporary in style or more into the Spanish revival style, as it is currently in-between styles. 

Context Photos:

Current Drawings:

Previous Drawings - 03/14/23:

Previous Drawings - 02/14/23:

Street View: