Tearing Down a Wall to Save It in Clarendon

In order to maintain the historic feel of one block that is under redevelopment in Clarendon, the developer plans to remove the facade of the current building, save it and reinstall as much of it as possible in the new building.

The wall along N. 11th Street at N. Highland Street will receive new windows - and more of them than currently face 11th Street - according to county documents.

This was outlined at the county’s Site Plan Review Committee on Monday, Oct. 17.

Some in the room wondered if the construction follows proper historic preservation.

“We try to be as pragmatic in our approach as possible,” said Mike Leventhal in a recent telephone interview.  He is the county’s historic preservation coordinator.

This was the second hearing on this site, developed by Penzance and designed by Noritake Associates Incorporated. The SPRC members and other county staff expressed concerns on preserving the historic value of the neighborhood, architectural design and how best to handle the increased amount of traffic.

Committee members discussed designs for the north building’s wall facing 11th Street North. This side of the building will be the access point to the loading docks and the entrance to the two buildings’ shared parking garage.

The site must be cleared of all current buildings in order to build the parking garage’s four levels. The current retail space, including the ABC liquor store, will be rebuilt into the site and retain their stone base and frontal window displays. Since it is structurally impossible to construct the garage while the buildings are located on the site, each stone will be taken down and numbered for cataloging. The stones will be put back in their correct places upon the reinstallation of the facade where ever possible.

According to Leventhal, it is a common practice to do this in order to preserve its historic integrity when it is not possible to save the whole building.

To better exhibit the preservation of the original stores’ design the north building will be tiered back at the second level at the corner of North Highland and 11th streets.

“Its a win win for everyone,” Leventhal said on the telephone.

The garage will host 395 parking spaces. The first level will be reserved parking for retail shoppers and employees, the remaining levels will be reserved for office employees during weekday business hours. During evenings and weekends the garage will be open to the public as part of Arlington’s shared parking policy. Along with street parking on both sides of 11th Street North, the architects hope to accommodate the increased amount of traffic flow in the area.