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Everything on New Buildings, Contruction, Destruction, Planning, Real Estate, Gossip, Development, and more! 

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Green Architecture: Green Roof

In the first of a series of posts highlighting how green architecture is being incorporated into Washington Area buildings we take a look at the “Green Roof”

Last year the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) replaced the conventional roof on its downtown Washington, DC headquarters with a green roof. Even more interesting is that in addition to the roof, they installed equipment to monitor the benefits of the roof and after a year of monitoring, the results are in!

The new green roof was found to have retained thousands of gallons of stormwater, reduced building energy costs by hundreds of dollars a month, and lowered outdoor air temperatures. These striking results extend the benefits to the entire area and shows other area companies that installing green architectural elements is not only environmentally friendly, but cost friendly as well.

More details on the ASLA report, how to get a tour of the project, and one more picture after the jump…

NE Capital Markets New Plans

The Capital City Market in North East is in for some major changes after over 80 years as one of the areas only whole sale markets.

In its place on the 24 acres site will be a new billion dollar redevelopment of the area called New Town.

It is interesting and a little sad to see the displacement of these historic sites, however the facilities have never been able to keep up with the new standards in market storage and shipping that is vital to keeping a modern market up and running. Interestingly enough, 80 years ago the market moved to it’s current location to make way for development from what bacame the down town area of the golden triangle.

Though a plan already was approved by the city council, one important element of responsible growth that would be nice to see in the plans would be developing space for some of the current vendors in remain in the area. It’s thoughtful and responsible conditions like that that help areas retain the people that helped create it, and is something we wish was part of more of the developments in the area!

Rosslyn Central Place

One of the key things lacking in the Rosslyn “down town” area is a central gathering place which distinguishes itself as a destination and event space for the area. The new Central Place development planed for the two block area surrounding the Rosslyn Metro Station bound by Lynn Street and Fort Myer Drive aims to provide just that solution. 

Rosslyn with a View

Unlike some other developments going on in Rosslyn, the Water View has spectacular views and an excellent location at the base of the Key Bridge.

The new development will house the Hotel Palomar on the first 15 floors and residences the rest of the way up to the 31st floor observation deck.

From the looks of it, the build out is nearing completion. It will be nice when they finally finish and can repave the onramp to 66, currently it is a beat up mess that is no friend to the poor cars that have to pass by.

One more photo of the view from Georgetown after the jump

Building Art – Rosslyn

This picture does not do justice to the amazing building art going on in Rosslyn. The feature consists of 4, four story planels with small metal fins that spin with the wind. There are millons of these little wings that, when moved, look like rippling waves accross the side of the building. 

When new developments incorporate art into their facade, it not only adds to the building but the general area as well. Its somthing everyone can enjoy. One question this does raise is what distiguishes a peice of art from the archetectural elements of a buildings design? Well, however you classify it, in this case it works, and looks great.

Dr. Dremo’s Arch Enemy

Though it has been a long time coming, the only thing left holding back 141 condo units plus retail at 2000 Wilson Boulevard, on the lot occupied by Taco Bell and Dr. Dremo’s Tap House in the Courthouse neighborhood, is “Market Conditions.” But construction will most likely begin in early 2008. 

The party may just last a little longer at Dremos if the housing market continues to stay course, and the owners have vowed to stay open until the building is knocked to the ground. Lets hope that’s later, rather than sooner, because the longer the area has easy access to Chocolate Donut Beer the better!  

BuildingOnBuilding: Little Ledo

You can’t go more that a few blocks in the district without coming accross a poor helpless building engulfed by yet another giant condo complex.

This little guy on Mass Ave looks like it just might make it. We really should apploud the small buisness owners who don’t sell out to “complete the block.” These little left over buildings are nice in that they break up the monotony of the sidewalk front.

Don’t know if the neigborhood needs another Pizza joint (looks like the space will be a Ledo’s Pizza) but if the building had been lost, it would have been just a bigger lobby anyways, so welcome to the neigborhood! [Photo from Flickr: Elle Decouvre]

New Stadium Stands Up

As you can see the the new stadium for the Washington Nationals is coming along nicely. The majority of the free standing structure is complete and the rest is being built out and accourding to the Nationals “will be ready for the first pitch of next season.”