New renderings of the development planned for the Rosenthal Jeep/Chrysler dealership site on Columbia Pike have been released on the Arlington County web site.
The renderings show the front of the development’s “north block” apartment complex — a six-story, 259-unit building along Columbia Pike with 15,000 square feet of retail space — and views of the “south block” development, which consists of 44 townhouses. The two blocks are separated by a new, to-be-constructed street, which would be dubbed 11th Street South.
The renderings were released following the Jan. 23 meeting of the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District Form Based Code Advisory Working Group.
Hat tip to @pikespotter. Overhead view of Rosenthal car dealership site via Google Maps.
Related Posts
- Board Approves Rezoning of Rosenthal Site May 23, 2012
- Audi Dealership Coming to Columbia Pike January 18, 2012
- Photos of Pike Bank Robbery Suspect Released December 16, 2011
- Brown’s Used Car Center Closes on the Pike November 2, 2011
I feel sorry for the people in houses who have to live with that monstrosity towering over their homes. I get it that the car dealership was an eyesore and maybe its time has come. And OK, more apartments or condos–fine. But six stories? Why not two stories? It’s like the county is intent that every place that’s redeveloped go from sprawlburbia straight to urban, skipping anything in between.
I’ve noticed this as well … guess their version of revitalizing the Pike is making it look just like Clarendon.
Anything is an improvement on that stretch of Columbia Pike west of Glebe.
As long as the Broiler stays!
I’ve heard it’s good but haven’t checked it out yet. How about some reviews?
Could not agree more!!!
Amen! Let’s make Broiler an historic landmark and keep it there forever.
I hardly think the word “towering” can be assoicated with a 6 story building. Imagine if the movie Towering Inferno had been set in a 6 story building. What a laugh!
LOL
Being on the top floor of a building on fire is no laugh, no matter how many stories. That movie gave me nightmares when I was a kid.
Whose homes are being ‘towered’ over exactly? The 6 story portion steps down to townhouses before it gets near any single family homes.
I had the same question. There aren’t even any homes adjacent to the property. It’s a post office facility behind where the stepped-down fownhouses will be. Seems like an optimal plan to me, if a bit wide and monotonous on the Pike side architecturally.
But it totally ruins the view from the Wendy’s across the street!
I HAVE A DREAM. THAT SOME DAY DEVELOPERS WON’T TELL ARLINGTON COUNTY HOW IT’S GOING TO BE, BUT THE CITIZENS. I HAVE A DREAM.
More set-back please. Another 10-20 feet is needed. Not just “nice to have” but needed. Let’s don’t repeat the horrors that were constructed where Safeway used to be.
I agree more setback would be better. But, Arlington Co is pushing building right on top of the sidewalks as pedestrian friendly.
looks just like most other recent Arlington developments …nothing eye-catching.
This I agree with.
I’m curious – what large residential building do you think is eye-catching and attractive?
Watergate in DC
Waterview in Rosslyn
um nothing else in Arlington.
I have to look at the Watergate every day from my office. Just because an epic scandal took place there doesn’t make that building in any way attractive. Its curves are intriguing, but the exterior is hideous.
Agree the Watergate is a hideous building. Waterview is nice though.
What exactly makes it hideous to you?
Chris this is very off-topic, but you do seem to be in the “know.” Are there any newly planned Condo buildings for the Pike or is it going to be renters everywhere? As an owner, I would like to see a balance on the Pike and some stability in ownership rather than folks just waiting for the next best thing.
Thanks!
Completely non-descript, and will not stand the test of time.
You realize that architecture in apartment buildings, especially now, is a commodity product?
Not disagreeing that it’s a shame that it has devolved to this status. But there is no doubt that rental housing is a commodity and the design that gets built features the layout with the smallest average unit size inside the box that fits on the land which maximizes the revenue against the cost.
Most things do not stand the test of time. I’m sure the project is built with a max. 50-year life in mind.
Very very unimaginative. So sad.
Yet in Silver Spring developers and designers work together to create beautiful, contemporary urban spaces: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13538/new-building-raises-silver-springs-urban-design-standard/
Looks like it is made of legos!
John- Maryland and their insane tax rates are calling your name. Dont let the door hit you on the way out.
beautiful? mmm not so sure about that
And it is 20 stories not 6
Oh wow, even worse than that elevation, look at that site plan. Narrow little alleyways and dead ends. All pavement except for that little-bitty patch of grass with some bushes drawn on it. Looks like something they built in Russia in the 50′s.
For a moment there I thought that was Penrose Square at Columbia Pike Town Center near the bosque and water element.
Oh cool. We get to have another unaffordable luxury (closet-sized) apartment development that will sit 1/2 empty and exascerbate the affordable housing shortage in Arlington.
Good grief! Arlington isn’t Manhattan. It could scarcely be further from it. When will property developers figure this out and quit pretending that enough morons will pay Manhattan rents to fill six-story high-rises in sub-urban mixed-income neighborhoods?
It’s like the repeating background of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
More importantly, where is the Jeep dealership going?
People still purchase Jeeps?
Yes.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/16/chrysler-boosting-wrangler-production-to-meet-heavy-demand/
Yes. Now I have to figure out where to go to get GC serviced.
Any place would be better than Rosenthal.
I’ve not had a problem with their service at this location, and I’ve been using them for some time. The Jeep service manager, Larry, has always been stand-up and easy to work with. He hits his time and price deadlines.
On the other hand, I once tried to buy a car from Rosenthal Honda in Tyson’s – that was such a stereotypically excruciating car dealer experience that even 15 years later I tell people to stay the hell away from that place.
Larry is awesome. I always take my jeep to him.
LARRY IS THE BEST,WILL FOLLOW.
No, really, does anyone know where Rosenthall is going? And, yes, I did buy my Jeep there.
At one time there was talk of them moving to the old Brown’s Super Center site but now Audi is moving in there. I would assume Rosenthal would move it to another location within Arlington or Alexandria.
They own some property down the way of Shirlington.
Rosenthal jeep will be moving, just not going to be there anymore, and jeep is fixing all problems with their new line up, the whole team and experience will still be one but just another location
If you compare it to the Halstead or some of the older high-rise apartments further east on Columbia Pike, it’s actually much shorter. I would argue 6 stories is more in line with what the other new buildings along the pike are.
Maybe 6 stories is some kind of developer sweet spot, i.e. anything higher requires a completely different type of structure to support it and anything lower won’t give you the density needed to get a return on the land investment. Purely speculation on my part.
You 2nd paragraph is basically on point. There is a break even point though it also depends what type of land you are in and whether you are digging down.
6 stories you can still likely build the structure out of wood. Won’t be the greatest structural significant building (i.e. you’ll hear your next floor up neighbors more) but it will be structurally sound. When you go much higher you’ll be going to steel.
For visual see the wood construction at the apartments at 10th and Washington v. the steel structures at the place across the street from the Dunkin Donuts on Lee in Cherrydale.
*shrug* looks fine.
Only problem is that they’re gonna charge $1500/mo for a bunch of 500sqft studios.
Or more!
Don’t worry, the Feds will dole out another CPI adjustment to paychecks!
Probably at least that much. I live nearby and, out of curiosity, looked into the prices at the places already there. Siena Park is charging $1550 for a 500 sq ft studio (there’s a waiting list!) and 1750-1850 for 1 br/1 bth of 600-675 sq ft. No utilities included either – pretty ridiculous.
That is insane. You can buy and have a mortgage at about 1k per month and have something to show at the end of 15 or 30 years.
Will there be enough retail spots for all the American Tavern type places that will need to open up to cater to the types of people that building will draw in?
So true. I moved away from the Orange line on purpose… now Penrose and Siena Park have brought the frat boy to South Arlington
More f*cking condos, pizza & cupcakes. It never stops.
I’m kind ashocked there aren’t more organic markets here, that typically goes hand in hand with hipster/yuppies that are attracted to that.
let’s add frozen yogurt with the word “berry” at the end as well.
You can move somewhere without people if its such a problem for you, Dread. South Dakota, Montana, the Congo etc would all welcome you and have much fewer “f*cking condos, pizza & cupcakes”
If you do not like living in an urban area, then move.
Yeah, but this is turning into Urban Living at Woodberry Park (TM)… a bunch of former suburbanites playing at “urban living” until they have school-aged kids. This ish is boring, no flavor… all vinegar and water…
clearly we play different versions of “urban living”
my version is not very boring my friend.
Neither is my version. That to me is the problem with this development and so many others. What passes for urban in Arlington (and many other places) is fairly boring and cookie cutter. This is high-density living, not urban, imo.
Not much flavor for sure…in people or food. Although I do welcome a livelier, more ped friendly environment. Lately I have been leaving the car at home and walking more…and I will say, at the western end of the Pike (Four Mile area) you take your life into your own hands walking. The sidewalks are very narrow and the drivers are a holes…no matter your background.
Urban living? Arlington is urban living? Sounds like you are already inline for your cupcakes. Condos and minivans.
I’m still wondering what’s going to happen to all of the Rosenthal land on the East side of Glebe. All of the land surrounding the Exxon including the vacant lot on the corner of 12th Street is also Rosenthal property.
Yes–will someone please answer this. It is the land where VDOT sometimes stores equipment during construction projects.
What is going to happen to the Exxon? don’t laugh but their prices are better than most gas stations in Arlington. I doubt the county is wanting to keep a gas station at the main intersection on the pike but it is much needed and should be moved somewhere.
And this without the trolley.
And may we assume that in typical Arlington fashion, there will be way too few parking spaces for the building?
Great, another monstrosity from Zimmerman and the CPRO. What a screw job……………….
Stuff it. Glad to see Zimmerman caring about the south side. BRING ME THE YUPPIES so I can get a damn Starbux
This is great — an unsightly car dealer gone (with big parking lot). A new building brings more residents, and generates more tax revenue. The Pike gets more retail. And people who are unhappy living in Arlington may make good on their threats to move.
Another excellent location for Starbucks?
Arlington county’s planning and design requirements squeeze all the creativity out of what the architect can design. Check out http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/forums/clarendon/pdf/file58740.pdf.
It’s good to have guidelines that prevent improper uses and awful buildings, but promoting the same mediocre beige and brick boxes is equally as depressing. Thinking that requiring a big piece of amateur art sitting in front makes up for it is a little weak.
Hey, that’s for Clarendon. We get our own set of Architectural Standards
http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/forums/columbia/current/pdf/fbc_arch_0205.pdf
Too many people venting too much garbage. The real problem with this developement or the developement on the Alexandria waterfront is crowding in too much density requiring more cars enterring and leaving the developement without doing infrastructure work for the roads to handle increased traffic. Only so many sardines can fit into a can. The area is attracting way too many snobs and slobs.
Gee, I’m REALLY…gonna miss the smell of paint and fiberglass/bondo overflow (probably toxic) coming from the Rosenthal Body Shop in the mornings, especially in the hot humid summers. But I am NOT looking forward to more emissions coming from more traffic being added to the already busy Columbia PIke and Glebe Roads.
Penrose Square is a housing disaster. My cousin lives there and can’t wait until her lease is up. The place is Transient City.
Slobs and Snobs is exactly the right description of the Pike corridor.