Development Proposed for Arlandria Floors Location

PHOTOS: Rendering of building proposed for 1800 Mount Vernon Ave., from planning documents filed with City; Google photo of current building, Arlandria Floors

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BREVIC Development LLC has filed paperwork with the City proposing to build a residential mixed-use building on the site where Arlandria Floors is located in Del Ray, at 1800 Mount Vernon Ave. (see map below).

The plans call for a residential mixed use building that will incorporate design influences from the original 1941 Art Deco building on the lot and would include 1800 R Mount Vernon Ave. which is directly behind the building.

BREVIC is asking for the City to reduce the number of retail parking spots from 13 to 7, noting that any retailer or restaurant located there would likely get a lot of foot and bicycle traffic from the surrounding neighborhood.

The proposal goes before the City Planning Commission on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.

City Planning staff is recommending approval of the proposed residential mixed use building, saying it will provide:

• An infill development with 49 residential units (38 one-bedroom homes and 22 two-bedroom units) helping to support local retail;

• Retail at the first floor, helping to support an active retail street on Mount Vernon Avenue;

• Parking located within a below grade garage;

• Elements of the original building façade incorporated into the façade of the new building;

• Open space which exceeds the requirement;

• Green building elements;

• Affordable housing contribution; and

• Public art installation or contribution

A proposed garage will occupy a portion of the first floor and one floor below grade, with 55 spaces in total. Access to the garage will be directly from Mount Vernon Avenue. The existing curb cut to the Arlandria Floors site is proposed to be relocated from the north end of the frontage to the south end.

In total, the building will measure 54,476 gross sf with the garage a further 21,384 gross sf, according to the plans. The building will be four stories and 45 feet in height.

The remainder of the lot will be open space. The proposed front building façade is setback further from the street than the existing building face, creating a wider sidewalk area. A long, 15-feet wide open space area runs along the north face of the building with access to the residential building entrance and private patios. The rear of the site includes a mixture of private patios and communal open space.

The Del Ray Citizens Association and Land Use Committee has signed off on the proposal with a list of conditions designed to enhance safety and keep noise to a minimum.