800 WASHINGTON PROPOSAL GROWS IN SIZE

AECOM’s proposal for a vacant site at 800 Washington Avenue S has grown in size.

Plans were revealed last year for a block long eight-story mixed-use building with a skinny rectangular footprint that would include retail, office and residential space. Since then the proposal has been revised and the building has grown in height from nine stories to 14.

In total the project would include 9,870 square feet of retail space, 18,540 square feet of office space and 127 condominium units. The retail space would all be located on the ground floor and at the moment is divided into seven different spaces with one being intended to be used as a restaurant. The office space would be located on level three and would be home to the American Academy of Neurology. The space would be directly connected to their headquarters next door via a private skyway on the same level.

Levels four through 14 would include the residential units which would be a mix of studio, one bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom condominiums. Levels 13 and 14 would also include a number of penthouse units. Parking for 109 vehicles is planned for three underground levels.

Amenities within 800 Washington would include a spacious lobby, mail room, bike room, outdoor lounge and outdoor dog run on the ground floor. On the second floor a large clubroom, a mezzanine lounge and a massive fitness center are planned.

Now let’s talk about the gardens.

AECOM has worked hard to make sure that their proposal is not just another mixed-use building. The building sports a unique design with cantilevering floor-plates, unique window alignments and even more uniquely multiple large garden spaces spread throughout the project.

Level three, the private office space, would feature an inset pocket garden for private use by the AAN. The sixth floor of the building would include a roof garden and a separate pocket garden. Level eight would include another outdoor garden space with this one being designated as a “winter garden.” Level 11 and 12 would both feature a single pocket garden with level 14 including another pocket garden along with a roof garden. Not shown on the floorplans but shown in the elevations is the potential for a rooftop farm also.

So, if you were counting that’s one winter garden, five pocket gardens, two roof gardens and maybe one roof top farm. Now that’s a lot of gardens.

In designing the project Dwyer Oglesbay Architects worked hard to create a development that would provide a way of living that improves the lives of not only the residents who occupy the building, but also the surrounding neighborhood.

800 Washington will promote environmental, public and personal health through a number of ways. As mentioned above, pocket gardens have been included throughout the project that when complete will actually add more green space to the site than what was originally there before a building was constructed. Another interesting aspect besides the unique shape of the building is the use of smog filtering concrete on the exterior. The use of that specialized concrete will help 800 Washington reach their goal to “improve activity, physical and metal health and long-term durability” for the building and the surrounding area.

The team working on 800 Washington includes visioneer and developer Sandra Rieger & Co, Development Manager AECOM, Contractor Knutson Construction along with architectural firm D/O Architects.

Plans for 800 Washington can be found here.

Work on the project is expected to begin in Spring 2020 with an anticipated completion in late 2021.