Owners Looking to Redevelop Rappahannock Coffee, L.A. Nails, Saah Furniture Buildings

April 25, 2012

Rappahannock-Coffee-Potential-Redevelopment

Photo: Steve Thurston

The three buildings that house the Rappahannock Coffee shop, the L.A. Nails and the Saah furniture store in the 2300 and 2400 blocks of Columbia Pike are being eyed for redevelopment, county officials say.

Clarification (April 26, 9:30a.m.): We have not heard what would happen to the businesses occupying these buildings. --Editor.

Property owners along the 2300 and 2400 blocks of Columbia Pike have hired area architect Temple Washington, a principal with WHA Architecture, to draw plans for a building that county officials say would replace three buildings with a single, taller one. Washington confirmed that his firm is working on the property, but did not comment further.

The buildings just west of Bob & Edith’s Diner along the south side of Columbia Pike include the Rappahannock Coffee shop, the L.A. Nails salon and the Saah furniture store.

The plan, as described by Michael Leventhal at last week’s Historical Affairs and Landmarks Review Board meeting, is a seven-story building, though zoning along the Pike only allows for six stories.

That piece of information sent HALRB members into a discussion about the use of the special zoning rules along Columbia Pike and whether developers should be allowed to negotiate out of them.

In give-and-take negotiations with the county, developers have had a chance to exceed zoning rules in the past by paying money toward community goods such as park space or affordable housing.

In this case, HALRB members said the owners hope to trade a green building (LEED) designation for the extra floor. Members said a LEED designation should grant a developer extra square footage, not another entire level on a building.

“You can work your way up to another level,” Leventhal said to the group. He is the historical preservation coordinator with the county.

Leventhal said that county staff has agreed that the developers would only be required to save the facades of the historic buildings, not the entire structures.

In return, the developer should not be asking for bonus height, he said, “That’s my objection.”

They may come to the HALRB with preliminary designs as early as June. The project comes before the HALRB because the buildings were designated historic in early Columbia Pike planning.

"We're probably two or three steps away from seeing something formally presented,” Leventhal said in the telephone interview.

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Comments (13)

Comment Feed

Coffee and Drinks

I think that a shop in the style of NorthSide Social, or Buzz Bakery, combining a coffee shop with a bar would be an excellent addition. I love Rappahanock, but, they close to early for one to make a dessert run by crosing the Pike after dinner at, say William Jeffrey's, the Taqueria, or the fish and chips.

Rik 275 days ago

Owners...

Does anyone know who is owner of this indie coffee shop?

Layal 357 days ago

Praise for Rappahannock Coffee

I completely disagree with the above negative reviews. I totally love Rappahhannock Coffee--Paul makes great coffee and cappuccinos according to customer specifications. The light food fare is also very tasty and healthful and everything at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is casual and friendly and greatly enhanced by the classical music. It's also great to support an independent business.

Leslie 364 days ago

Jewish Bagel Shop

...been sayin' this for over a year: a proper Jewish bagel shop would rake cash in hand-over-fist on this end of the Pike. Rappahanock, as observed by my fellow commenters above, is substandard, leaving only Dunkin' Donuts at the Shell.

Josh at Twisted Vines supports this idea, too.

[Here's to hoping this comment makes it to the board; a previous attempt, directed at the Rosenthal redevelopment NIMBYs, was moderated into oblivion.]

CaliTrappedInDC more than 1 years ago

Indie Coffee Shop

Sad but true - Rappahannock has really gone downhill from when it originally opened. An indie coffee shop would be a great addition to the Pike - better than Starbucks. But if Starbucks was the option I would go there. Rappahannock lost my business a long time ago. Hard to believe they're still hanging on.

DL more than 1 years ago

Starbucks, please!

I have never been an advocate for Starbucks, but any coffee shop would be a welcome change from Rappahannock! Their coffee is terrible, service slow, and there are no competitors on the pike unless you count Dunkin Donuts at the gas station. I'd welcome any indie coffee shop that would be an improvement over what's there now. It would be nice to keep the low-level buildings but probably not realistic. However, I hope plenty of parking is included in whatever building plan ends up taking this space.

Pike Rez more than 1 years ago

YES!! Starbucks and welcome a new Ballston

Rappahannok is crap! A Starbucks in Lower Arlington is long over due. Upper Arlington has much more going on as far as restaurants. I do understand the lack of desire for tall high-rise buildings, but Columbia Pike really needs to be updated with new buildings (not necessarily as tall as the ones on Ballston), new sidewalks, and new businesses. It's coming along....slowly.

In with the New; Out with the OLD more than 1 years ago

Historic facades?

Columbia Pike needs redevelopment. Trees are diseased, and sidewalks are in bad shape with trash around. Is the Saah furniture store or the voodoo store historical landmarks? Maybe is becuase one of the two is still open.

Up 4 change more than 1 years ago

Rappahannock won't be missed

Not with their cardboard pastries and illiterate hired help.
PUT A 7-11 AND A STARBUCKS THERE once your hallowed 7 story enclave has been nbuilt.

YTK more than 1 years ago

Save the facades

save the facades, leave something. Arlington the land of douchbags, who want to tear everything down for another chain resturant or condo building.

U ROY more than 1 years ago

Bad spot for a tall building

Seven stories is too tall, even six stories is going to stick out compared to the surrounding buildings. Anyone who wants to live in a canyon of tall buildings is welcome to go live in Ballston.

Jeff B. more than 1 years ago

SEVEN stories?

I agree, the facades are far from historic. Tear them down with the rest of the building. While we’re at it, get rid of the gas station.
I agree, development along the Pike is much needed, and I’m all for BM Smith looking to make improvements.
But SEVEN stories! How can a seven story building be built adjacent to the little town houses in Arlington Village? Where’s the “step down” and “taper” I’ve been hearing about all these years?

Harrison T. Rogers more than 1 years ago

Don't save the facades

Why save the facades? They are old, ugly and hideous. The entire buildings should be destroyed. I say YES to 7 or more stories. The ancient arlingtonians need to untwist their panties to east the pinch and get a life, especially John A.

In with the New Out with the OLD more than 1 years ago